The Polish Government Scholarships for International Students 2026–2027 offer excellent opportunities for students who want to continue their education in Poland. Administered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), these scholarship programmes support Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctoral studies, research, and academic exchange opportunities at Polish higher education institutions. Since each programme has a different purpose and eligibility criteria, applicants should choose the scholarship that best matches their academic background and future plans.
If you are looking for scholarships in Poland for international students, this guide brings together the four main Polish Government scholarship programmes in one place. Poland continues to attract students from around the world because of its internationally recognized universities, affordable education, and growing selection of English-taught degree programmes. Whether you are searching for Poland scholarships for a Master’s degree, academic research, or international exchange, this guide explains the funding, eligibility, study levels, and application process to help you find the right opportunity.
Polish Government Scholarships for International Students:
The four major Poland Government scholarship programmes included in this guide are:
- Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme
- General Anders Scholarship Programme
- Poland My First Choice Programme
- Zawacka NAWA Programme
1. Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme
The Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme is a Polish Government scholarship administered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The programme aims to support the socio-economic development of developing countries by improving the education and professional qualifications of their citizens through full-time Master’s (second-cycle) studies at Polish universities. According to the current programme overview, the scholarship supports studies in engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences, and life sciences.
The programme is open to applicants from selected countries and territories. According to the latest programme information published by NAWA, citizens of Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Palestine, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam may apply for eligible Master’s programmes. In addition, applicants from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan may also apply for selected Master’s programmes in humanities and social sciences, as specified in the official programme call.
Duration
- Full-time Master’s (Second-cycle) degree programme.
Funding Details
According to the latest programme information published by NAWA for the current application cycle, the programme includes:
- A monthly scholarship of PLN 2,500.
- Tuition fee exemption at public universities.
- A travel allowance of PLN 2,500.
- A NAWA-funded preparatory course for students studying in the Polish-language track.
- A Polish language and culture course for students studying in the English-language track.
Note: Funding arrangements, scholarship benefits, and programme conditions may change with each application cycle. Applicants should refer to the latest official call for complete funding information.
Benefits
According to the latest programme overview, successful applicants may have the opportunity to:
- Receive financial support during full-time Master’s studies.
- Study at eligible Polish universities supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
- Study in Polish or English, depending on the selected study programme and the conditions of the current programme call.
- Receive tuition fee exemption at eligible public universities.
- Access language preparation and cultural courses available under the programme.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements are announced with each application cycle. In general, applicants should:
- Be citizens of one of the countries specified in the latest official programme call.
- Apply for a full-time Master’s (second-cycle) degree programme.
- Apply for an eligible field of study covered by the current programme call.
- Meet all eligibility requirements and conditions published by NAWA for the relevant application cycle.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the latest official call before applying, as eligible countries, study fields, programme requirements, funding arrangements, and application conditions may change from one application cycle to another.
How to Apply
- NAWA publishes the application procedure and programme requirements with each new call for applications. Interested applicants should carefully review the latest official call on the NAWA website before starting their application. Applicants should follow the scholarship application instructions published by NAWA and complete any university admission requirements applicable to their chosen study programme.
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2. General Anders Scholarship Programme
The General Anders Scholarship Programme is a Polish Government scholarship administered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The programme promotes Poland as a country offering attractive educational opportunities while helping young people of Polish origin strengthen their qualifications and learn more about Polish culture and history. It provides an opportunity to pursue full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, and long-cycle Master’s degree studies at eligible higher education institutions in Poland.
According to the latest programme information published by NAWA, the scholarship covers full-time studies conducted in Polish at higher education institutions supervised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. For Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes, eligible institutions may also include those supervised by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture and Cultural Heritage. The programme covers a wide range of study fields, except double degree programmes, applied linguistics, and foreign languages, with the exception of Polish philology and Polish as a foreign language. Depending on the current programme rules, studies may be preceded by a one-year preparatory course.
Duration
The programme supports:
- Bachelor’s (First-cycle) degree studies.
- Master’s (Second-cycle) degree studies.
- Long-cycle (Uniform Master’s) degree studies.
Funding Details
According to the latest programme information published by NAWA:
- The scholarship covers full-time studies conducted in Polish.
- Eligible applicants may participate in a one-year preparatory course before beginning their studies, where applicable.
Note: Scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, programme conditions, and funding arrangements are announced with each application cycle. Applicants should refer to the latest official call for complete programme details.
Benefits
According to the latest programme overview, the programme offers the opportunity to:
- Study full-time at eligible higher education institutions in Poland.
- Choose from a wide range of academic fields, subject to the programme restrictions.
- Improve Polish language skills through a one-year preparatory course, where applicable.
- Learn about Polish culture and history while pursuing a degree.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements are announced with each application cycle. According to the latest programme information, applicants should:
- Be foreigners with documented Polish origin or holders of the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka).
- Apply for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or long-cycle Master’s degree programme, depending on their academic qualifications.
- For Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes, apply within two years of completing secondary school education.
- For Master’s programmes, apply within two years of completing a Bachelor’s degree.
- Dual nationals holding both Polish and foreign citizenship who completed their entire secondary education outside Poland may apply for Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes.
- Meet all eligibility requirements and conditions published in the latest official call for applications.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the latest official call before applying, as eligibility requirements, programme conditions, deadlines, and application procedures may change from one application cycle to another.
How to Apply
- NAWA publishes the application procedure and programme requirements with each new call for applications. Interested applicants should carefully review the latest official call before applying. Applications should be submitted by following the instructions published by NAWA and completing any admission requirements required by the selected higher education institution.
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3. Poland My First Choice Programme
The Poland My First Choice Programme is a scholarship offered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) to encourage talented students from selected countries and territories to pursue full-time Master’s (second-cycle) studies in Poland. The programme supports studies at public and non-public university-type higher education institutions supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education. Applicants can choose their preferred university and field of study from the institutions listed in the official call for applications.
One of the key features of this programme is that NAWA does not manage the university admission process. Applicants must apply directly to their chosen university and complete the admission process independently. The scholarship application is submitted separately by following the instructions provided in the official NAWA call.
Duration
- Full-time Master’s (Second-cycle) degree programme.
Funding Details
According to the latest programme overview published by NAWA, successful applicants may receive:
- A scholarship during the statutory period of full-time Master’s studies.
- Tuition fee exemption at public universities.
- Note: The official programme overview does not specify the scholarship amount. Applicants should refer to the latest official call for applications for complete funding details and any updates.
Benefits
According to the latest programme overview, the programme offers:
- Scholarship support during the statutory period of full-time Master’s studies.
- Tuition fee exemption at eligible public universities.
- Opportunity to study at public or non-public university-type higher education institutions supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
- Freedom to choose an eligible university and Master’s programme from the institutions listed in the official call for applications.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements are announced with each application cycle. In general, applicants should:
- Be citizens of one of the countries or territories specified in the latest official call for applications.
- Apply for a full-time Master’s (second-cycle) degree programme.
- Choose a university and field of study from the institutions listed in the official call.
- Meet all eligibility requirements and conditions published by NAWA for the relevant application cycle.
- Applicants should carefully review the latest official call before applying, as the list of eligible countries, participating universities, programme requirements, and other conditions may change from one application cycle to another.
How to Apply
- NAWA publishes the application procedure and programme requirements with each new call for applications. Interested applicants should visit the official NAWA website and carefully read the latest programme guidelines before starting their application. In general, applicants are expected to choose an eligible university and Master’s programme, complete the university admission process directly with the selected institution, and then submit a separate scholarship application by following the instructions provided in the official call before the application deadline.
4. Zawacka NAWA Programme
The Zawacka NAWA Programme is a scholarship and academic mobility programme offered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). Its main goal is to strengthen international academic cooperation by supporting the arrival of students, doctoral students, academic teachers, and scientists to Polish universities and research institutions. The programme is implemented under bilateral and international agreements between Poland and partner countries or institutions listed in the official programme announcement.
The programme supports a wide range of academic activities in Poland, including full or partial studies, doctoral education, research visits, and teaching opportunities. Since it operates under international agreements, the available forms of mobility, participating countries, and scholarship conditions may vary depending on the applicable agreement and the annual programme call.
Duration
The duration of the scholarship depends on the type of academic activity and the conditions specified in the relevant international agreement and the latest official call for applications.
Funding Details
- Funding arrangements vary depending on the partner country, the applicable international agreement, and the latest programme call published by NAWA.
Note: The type of financial support and scholarship benefits may differ from one application cycle to another. Applicants should refer to the latest official call for complete funding details.
Benefits
According to the official programme overview, the programme supports the following academic activities:
- Completing full or partial studies at universities supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
- Enrolling in a doctoral school.
- Undertaking a scientific stay, including research internships, study visits, teaching at a host institution, or other scientific and academic activities related to studies, doctoral research, or research projects.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements are announced with each application cycle. The programme is intended for:
- Students.
- Doctoral students.
- Academic teachers.
- Scientists.
Applicants should also meet the conditions specified in the relevant international agreement and the latest official call for applications.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the latest official call before applying, as eligible countries, participating institutions, available activities, programme requirements, and application procedures may change from one application cycle to another.
How to Apply
- Application procedures are announced with each new programme call. Interested applicants should carefully review the latest official call and follow the application instructions published by NAWA and, where applicable, the relevant partner institution or organization before submitting an application.
Note: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is based on information available from the official Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) and official programme pages at the time of writing. Scholarships Corner is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially associated with NAWA or the Government of Poland. Scholarship benefits, eligibility criteria, participating countries, application procedures, deadlines, and programme conditions may change with each application cycle. Applicants should always verify the latest information by consulting the official programme guidelines and call for applications before applying.
