Polish Government Scholarship

The Polish Government Scholarship Caps Applications at 400 — Apply on Day One

The Stefan Banach Program is Poland’s flagship scholarship for international master’s students from developing countries. Before anything else, one operational fact must be stated prominently:

The application deadline for the Polish Government Scholarship 2026-2027 was May 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM local Warsaw time, or until the submission of 400 applications.

There are two closing conditions a date AND an application cap. The 400-application limit means that in active cycles, the scholarship can effectively close weeks before the stated deadline if applications fill up quickly. For the 2027-28 cycle, when the new call is announced, the safest strategy is to apply within the first week the portal opens.

The Prof. Stefan Banach Program, administered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) in partnership with Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is offering fully-funded master’s scholarships to citizens of 37 eligible countries. The financial package is real and comprehensive, it is a structured, government-funded scholarship covering monthly living costs, tuition exemption at public universities, and international travel costs to reach Poland.

The call for proposals will be announced on July 10, 2026 meaning the 2027-28 cycle began opening in mid-2026. Applications for the 2027-28 academic year are expected through NAWA’s online system, with the deadline likely falling in May-June 2027.

Who Was Stefan Banach — Poland’s Greatest Mathematician

The Stefan Banach Program bears the name of one of Poland’s greatest intellectual achievements.

Stefan Banach (1892-1945) was a Polish mathematician born in Kraków who became the founder of modern functional analysis, one of the most important branches of mathematics. He created the concept of Banach spaces (complete normed vector spaces), which became fundamental to 20th-century mathematics and modern physics. He co-authored the celebrated Banach-Tarski paradox and wrote foundational works that shaped mathematics, quantum mechanics, and signal processing.

Banach worked primarily in Lwów (now Lviv, Ukraine), then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later interwar Poland. He died in August 1945, just weeks after the end of WWII, during which he had survived the German occupation under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

The scholarship named after him reflects Poland’s pride in its scientific heritage and its commitment to sharing high-quality education with the developing world.

The Stefan Banach Program — Full Details

The Poland Government Stefan Banach Scholarship is a prestigious joint initiative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The program is designed to promote socio-economic progress in developing countries by providing high-level educational opportunities to their citizens at Polish universities. The scholarship merges the former Banach and Lukasiewicz programs into a single, robust funding scheme for young people wishing to pursue Second-Degree (Master’s) studies in either Polish or English.

Key Program Facts:

Full Financial Package

Selected scholars receive a comprehensive support package throughout their studies: Full waiver of tuition fees at public universities in Poland. A monthly allowance of PLN 2,500 for living expenses. A one-time payment of PLN 2,500 to assist with relocation costs. A funded Polish language and culture preparatory course for those choosing the Polish-track.

Coverage Breakdown:

Is PLN 2,500/month sufficient in Poland?

Poland’s cost of living is significantly lower than Western Europe:

• Warsaw (most expensive): PLN 2,500-3,500/month for comfortable living
• Kraków: PLN 2,000-2,800/month
• Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk: PLN 1,800-2,500/month
• Smaller university cities: PLN 1,500-2,200/month

PLN 2,500/month is adequate for student life outside Warsaw. In Warsaw, it covers basics but is tight. The one-time PLN 2,500 relocation payment helps absorb initial setup costs (deposit, initial groceries, transport card).

Two Language Tracks — A Binding Decision

For master’s, you choose the English or Polish-language path at application. The language path is binding.

The choice of language track must be made at the time of application and cannot be changed afterward. Choose carefully based on your current language proficiency and career goals.

English Track:

• Study your Master’s entirely in English
• English language proficiency required: IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent (meet the chosen university’s requirement)
• No Polish required at application
• Polish language lessons still provided (optional enhancement)
• Best for: Applicants with strong English, no Polish, who want European experience

Polish Track:

• Study your Master’s in Polish
• Free funded preparatory Polish language and culture course before studies begin
• Polish proficiency not required at application, the prep course covers it
• Best for: Applicants willing to invest in learning Polish (opens more Polish-language programs and Polish professional market)

Which to choose? If you already speak English well and want the most straightforward path, choose the English track. If you have time and interest in learning a European language that opens doors in Central/Eastern Europe, the Polish track is a strong option, the free prep year is a genuine investment.

The 37 Eligible Countries

The Banach Program targets developing countries across three main regions. The exact list of 37 countries changes slightly each call, always verify on the current NAWA announcement.

Generally included regions:

Africa: Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and other African developing countries

Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and other Asian developing countries

Post-Soviet / Eastern: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Latin America: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, and others

Exact current list: Check the official NAWA website (nawa.gov.pl) for the confirmed eligible countries list for the 2027-28 cycle, published when the call opens.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree awarded no earlier than 2024 or be graduating by 15 July 2026, and cannot have received a prior NAWA scholarship or hold/seek Polish citizenship.

Complete Requirements:

1. Citizen of One of 37 Eligible Countries Must be a national of one of the listed developing countries.

2. Bachelor’s Degree — Awarded No Earlier Than 2024 This is a specific and unusual requirement. Your Bachelor’s degree must have been awarded in 2024 or later (for the 2027-28 cycle, check if the year requirement updates). OR you must be in your final year and expected to graduate by July 15, 2026.

⚠️ Implication: Students who graduated with a Bachelor’s in 2023 or earlier may NOT be eligible for recent cycles. This requirement is designed for recently graduated students.

3. No Previous NAWA Scholarship Cannot have received a prior NAWA scholarship. If you previously received any NAWA-funded award, you are not eligible.

4. No Polish Citizenship Cannot hold or be seeking Polish citizenship.

5. Language Proficiency

• English track: IELTS/TOEFL meeting the chosen university’s requirement
• Polish track: No Polish required at application (prep course provided)

6. Strong Academic Record Academic merit evaluated as part of selection.

Application Process — NAWA ICT System

Applicants must submit the application through the NAWA ICT system before the deadline. The application deadline was May 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM local Warsaw time, or until the submission of 400 applications.

How to Apply:

Step 1: Check the current call Visit nawa.gov.pl → Stefan Banach Program → read the current call announcement carefully. Confirm your country is on the eligible list for this cycle.

Step 2: Choose your university and program Research Polish universities and their English or Polish-medium Master’s programs in your field. You will indicate your preferred university and program in the NAWA application.

Step 3: Create your NAWA ICT account Register at the NAWA online portal. You do NOT apply to the university directly, NAWA coordinates placement.

Step 4: Prepare documents Typically required:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript
• Passport (from eligible country)
• English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL for English track)
• Motivation letter
• Study plan
• CV
• Two recommendation letters

Gather proof of English or Polish language proficiency. Draft a comprehensive study plan and a compelling motivation letter outlining your academic goals and commitment to home country development. Collect all academic transcripts and degree certificates.

Step 5: Submit on day one Given the 400-application cap, apply as soon as the portal opens for the 2027-28 cycle (expected May-June 2027).

⚠️ Watch for: The screening and selection process takes up to 3 months.

Also: POLONISTA NAWA Program (Research)

Beyond the Banach master’s scholarship, NAWA also offers the POLONISTA Program for researchers:

Researchers participating in the POLONISTA fellowship program receive funding for research stays lasting from 3 to 12 months. The program provides access to university libraries, archives, and academic resources, allowing participants to conduct research or gather materials for theses and scholarly publications.

POLONISTA deadline: April 3, 2026 (for 2026 cycle), typically April annually.

Who it’s for: Established researchers (not students) wanting a research stay of 3-12 months at a Polish institution. Focused on humanities, Polish studies, and related academic research.

Poland as a Study Destination

EU membership: Poland has been an EU member since 2004. Studying in Poland gives you access to the Schengen area and experience within the European academic system.

Top Polish universities:

Polish cities: Poland’s major university cities offer high quality of life at significantly lower cost than Western Europe. Kraków and Wrocław are regularly ranked among Europe’s most liveable cities. Warsaw is Poland’s largest city and economic capital.

Growing English ecosystem: Poland has seen significant growth in English-medium programs, particularly at Master’s level. Poland also has a large expatriate professional community and is increasingly integrated into European tech and innovation networks.

Quick Reference

FAQ

Is this scholarship for Master’s or PhD?

The Stefan Banach Program is for second-cycle degree programs (Master’s) only. It is not a PhD program.

What is the monthly stipend?

A monthly allowance of PLN 2,500 for living expenses, plus a one-time payment of PLN 2,500 for relocation costs.

Do I need to speak Polish?

For the English track, no Polish required. A funded Polish language and culture preparatory course is provided for those choosing the Polish-track.

What is the application cap?

400 applications per round, the scholarship closes at the deadline OR when 400 applications are submitted, whichever comes first. Apply early.

Can I apply if I graduated in 2022?

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree awarded no earlier than 2024 or be in their final year. A 2022 graduate is generally not eligible for recent cycles.

Is it free to apply?

Yes, application through the NAWA ICT system is free.

When does the 2027-28 call open?

The call for proposals was announced on July 10, 2026. The 2027-28 application cycle is underway.

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