Polonista NAWA 2026 Scholarship for International Students

Overview

Poland has a rich intellectual and cultural tradition that stretches back centuries — from the literary heights of its Nobel Prize-winning authors to the philosophical contributions of its scholars and the resilience embedded in its complex national history. For international students and researchers with a passion for Polish language, literature, history, or culture, the Polonista NAWA 2026 Scholarship offers a rare and meaningful opportunity to engage with this tradition at its source.

Funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), the Polonista program is designed to promote Polish studies internationally by bringing talented students and researchers from around the world to Poland for study and research stays. Open to undergraduates, Master's students, PhD candidates, and established researchers, the scholarship provides financial support, university placement, and access to Poland's leading academic institutions.

With a deadline of 3 April 2026 and placements beginning in the coming academic cycle, this is an excellent time for eligible candidates to begin exploring whether the Polonista scholarship aligns with their academic and cultural interests.

Scholarship Details

The Polonista NAWA Scholarship provides financial support through a monthly stipend, with amounts varying by academic level and category:

• Undergraduate and Master's Students: PLN 2,000 per month for stays of 1 or 2 semesters
• Doctoral Candidates: PLN 3,300 per month for stays of 1 or 2 semesters
• Foreign Researchers (PhD holders): PLN 3,500 per month for research projects lasting 3 to 12 months

In addition to the monthly stipend, the scholarship covers full or partial education costs at the host institution, helping to offset tuition and program-related fees.

The scholarship is structured around two main tracks:

Incoming Track (for Foreign Applicants):

• Students: Those studying Polish philology or Slavic studies at institutions outside Poland who wish to spend one or two semesters at a Polish university
• Researchers: Academics from foreign institutions who want to conduct research in areas such as Polish linguistics, literary studies, history, art history, or comparative studies

Outgoing Track (for Polish Citizens):

• Polish researchers and teachers can receive funding to teach or conduct research at foreign universities that have Polish studies or Slavic studies programs

To date, the program has supported 281 participants from 26 countries, including 225 students and doctoral candidates and 56 researchers — a testament to the program's growing international reach.