We are pleased to announce the call for applications for the Stefan Banach Programme – a scholarship programme aimed at young people from developing countries who wish to undertake second-cycle (Master’s) studies in Poland or complete a preparatory course.
This year’s recruitment is open until 8 May 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (Warsaw time) or until the application limit is reached.
Banach NAWA Programme
The programme provides scholarships for full-time second-cycle studies in Poland, taught in either Polish or English, at universities supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
Studies in Polish may be preceded by a one-year NAWA preparatory course.
The aim of the programme is to support the socio-economic development of developing countries by improving the education level and professional qualifications of their citizens.
What does the programme offer?
- monthly scholarship of PLN 2,500
- exemption from tuition fees at public universities
- funding of the NAWA preparatory course (for the Polish-language track)
- lump sum travel allowance to Poland (PLN 2,500)
- possibility to study in Polish or English
- Polish language and culture course (for the English-language track)
Who can apply?
The programme is aimed at citizens of 36 developing countries participating in Polish development assistance, including countries from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Eligible countries include, among others: Albania, Brazil, India, Mexico, Ukraine, Vietnam, and others – the full list is available in the call for applications.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be citizens of an eligible country
- not hold Polish citizenship
- plan to begin studies in the 2026/2027 academic year
- have obtained a first-cycle (Bachelor’s) degree no earlier than 2024 or complete it by 15 July 2026
- not hold a second-cycle (Master’s) degree
- have language proficiency of at least:
- B2 (English), or
- B2/B1 (Polish – depending on the study track)
Applicants are required to submit a complete application, including a short video self-presentation.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the NAWA system: programs.nawa.gov.pl/login
Detailed information on eligibility and required documents is available in the official call for applications and on the programme website.
Application deadline
The deadline for submission is 8 May 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (Warsaw time) or earlier if the application limit is reached for specific country groups.
Additional information
Applications undergo formal and merit-based evaluation. Scholarship awards are based, among others, on academic performance and assessment of the applicant’s video presentation.
Results are expected to be announced by 31 July 2026.
The programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), implemented under Poland’s development cooperation programme.
The project is co-financed from the state budget within the framework of the development cooperation of the Republic of Poland.
