Effect on research and response
The RT4 team posted on Facebook, This move would in effect mean the end of the life of this Polish instrument." RT4 has been the backbone of decades of astronomical research, enabling Polish scientists to observe distant galaxies, study pulsars, and study interstellar molecules. The Institute of Astronomy at the university has made a plea to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, asking for the funding to be restored.

Researchers have described the cuts as "rather sad and strange", pointing out that RT4 achieved an A-rating, the highest possible, in the ministry-led Funds for Maintaining Scientific Research Equipment (SpUB) competition only recently. The infrared telescope is also listed as an instrument on the Polish Map of Research Infrastructure, which makes it instrumental to national science in Poland.

Possible funding solution
Physicist Piotr Żuchowski warned that "if the technical support is gone, the radio telescope near Toruń may never return to ideal functionality." Minister Marcin Kulasek said there is still a chance for funding for the RT4.

Kulasek explained that only 11 out of 186 submissions could be funded. In terms of evaluation ranking, Toruń University's application ranked 36th, while reviews were very positive for the application. "We are doing everything possible to secure this funding ... I will bring good news by the end of the year," he said.