The Fund for National Culture was established in 1928. It was subsidized by the state and supported by contributions from private individuals and institutions.[2]
The Fund's task was to support Polish scientific and artistic enterprises through: allowances and scholarships for individual persons, subsidies for publishing houses and subsidies for scientific and artistic institutions and teams.[2] Among the beneficiaries, that obtained subsidies for the implementation of specific scientific and research projects, was the Polish Academy of Learning.[2]
The Fund for National Culture was headed by a Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Poland.[2] However, the fund was self-governing and had some independence from political institutions. Scholars and artists sat on the Fund's council and committees.[2] Stanisław Michalski was the director of the Fund for National Culture throughout all its activity.[2]
Pursuant to the Act of 16 July 1937, the Fund for National Culture took the patronage of Józef Piłsudski, adopting the name of the Józef Piłsudski Fund for National Culture.[3]
Following the German invasion of Poland, in October 1939 the Fund was reactivated by the Polish government in exile. It would play a significant role in supporting Polish educational, cultural and research initiatives during the war period in the Allied-controlled territories.[4][5][1]