Ministry of Science and Higher Education was established in May 2006. The Ministry deals with issues connected with students, universities and scientists. It pursues a policy in the area of science and higher education in Poland. Experts prepare strategic solutions, care for the implementation of EU programmes and funds. The ministry supports the development of Polish universities, research institutes and scientific institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The scientific community - agencies such as the National Science Centre, the National Centre for Research and Development and Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange - co-decide on the distribution of funds for science.