Crop Improvement Centre for Sustainable Agriculture as the Centre of Excellence operates as a part of the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR/PBAI). CICSA is a scientific unit focused on research in breeding and seed science of major field crops. Approximately 60% of the scientific staff of the Institute are directly involved in the activities of the Centre. The Institute is headed by its Director, Prof. Edward Arseniuk, while the activities within CICSA are co-ordinated by dr Jerzy H. Czembor.
CICSA aims to stimulate germplasm enhancement and crop improvement for sustainable agriculture by increasing the Institute's capacity at educational and high quality research in all fields related to crop improvement, biotechnology and germplasm conservation.
It is financed under the Fifth EU Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities.
The Centre is integrated with the European Research Area (ERA), foreign and domestic research institutes and universities, plant breeding companies and commercial enterprises through conferences, workshops, short/long term visits and networking on GMO and genetic resources. CICSA at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute provides important opportunity for PBAI to build up networking activities between Polish scientists and leading research centres in EU countries and to enhance involvement of IHAR in joint European research programs. | 
