Creating the knowledge-based economy is one of the most important challenges for Poland in 21st century. Poland becoming a member of European Union has undertaken to execute resolutions of Lisbon Strategy - social-economical programme which provides activities in four key spheres: knowledge-based economy, markets liberalization, enterprise and social compactness. In the economy research and development units need to reinforce their position in particular. The institutions form a specific platform between science and economy and active technologies transfer becomes their main mission. Owing to qualified staff and modern apparatus base research and development units offer services indispensable for development and growth of Polish economy competitiveness. The paper aims at presenting a need of expanding a range of cooperation between the research and development units and economy, reinforcement of market character and growth of competitiveness of the units on the national and international markets.