Marked by a ceremonial act in Jena, the new institution commenced its research and teaching activities in winter semester 2013/2014. At the same time, “Interdisciplinary Polish Studies”, the only joint master’s programme of its kind in Germany (page 18), began in Halle and Jena. The two university rectors, Prof. Dr. Udo Sträter and Prof. Dr. Klaus Dicke, and the managing director of the Foundation for German-Polish Cooperation, Małgorzata Ławrowska, had already met on 25 March to sign the grant agreement in Jena. The foundation is giving 150,000 euros annually for the next three years to fund the research centre. The German Academic Exchange Service and the German-Polish Science Foundation are also supporting the project.