Government Scholarships for International Students in Poland

Poland offers several government scholarships for international students, including programmes that cover university tuition fees and provide monthly stipends, travel allowances or funded language preparation.

Most national scholarships are administered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The strongest options for 2026/2027 include Banach NAWA, Poland My First Choice, Zawacka NAWA and specialized programmes such as Polonista NAWA.

Eligibility differs significantly by nationality and study level, so students should never assume that one Polish Government scholarship is open worldwide.

Government Scholarships for International Students in Poland

1. Banach NAWA Scholarship 2026/2027

The Banach NAWA Scholarship is one of Poland’s most important government scholarships for students from developing and emerging countries.

It is jointly implemented through NAWA and Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of Polish development cooperation.

For 2026/2027, the programme supports full-time second-cycle Master’s studies taught in either Polish or English.

Banach Scholarship Benefits

Successful students receive:

• PLN 2,500 per month.
• Full tuition fee exemption at eligible public universities.
• PLN 2,500 travel allowance.
• Funded preparatory Polish-language course when applicable.
• Polish language and culture instruction for students following the English-language route.

This makes Banach NAWA one of the most financially attractive Polish Government Master’s scholarships.

Eligible Countries

The 2026 programme covered citizens of 36 countries, including:

• Albania.
• Angola.
• Argentina.
• Armenia.
• Azerbaijan.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Brazil.
• Georgia.
• India.
• Indonesia.
• Iraq.
• Iran.
• Jordan.
• Kazakhstan.
• Kenya.
• Lebanon.
• Mexico.
• Nigeria.
• Palestine.
• Tunisia.
• Ukraine.
• Uzbekistan.
• Vietnam.

Applicants must also satisfy the academic and language requirements.

Academic Requirements

For 2026, applicants had to:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree obtained no earlier than 2024, or graduate by July 15, 2026.
• Not already hold a Master’s degree.
• Have at least B2 English for English-taught study, or meet the applicable Polish-language requirement.
• Apply for a programme beginning in October 2026.

The 2026 application deadline was May 8, 2026. The selection has now finished, with 130 scholarships awarded from 887 applications.

2. Poland My First Choice NAWA

Poland My First Choice NAWA is another major government scholarship for international Master’s students.

Unlike Banach NAWA, this programme focuses primarily on applicants from countries and territories with a high level of socio-economic development.

For 2026/2027, it supports full-time second-cycle studies at participating Polish academic institutions.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients can receive:

• PLN 2,000 per month.
• Tuition fee exemption at public universities.
• A one-time travel allowance for moving to Poland.

Students may study in Polish or English but need at least B2 proficiency in the language of instruction.

Separate University Admission Is Required

Winning the NAWA scholarship does not automatically mean admission to a Polish university.

Applicants must:

1. Select their university and degree independently.
2. Complete the university admission procedure.
3. Meet all academic requirements.
4. Apply separately for the NAWA scholarship.

NAWA does not act as an intermediary in university admission.

The 2026 deadline was May 29, 2026.

3. Zawacka NAWA – Bilateral Exchange Scholarships

International students interested in shorter study or research stays should check Zawacka NAWA.

The programme supports international academic exchange based on bilateral agreements and cooperation between Poland and partner countries.

The official 2026/2027 incoming call includes a country-by-country list specifying the forms of academic mobility available.

Depending on the agreement, opportunities may include:

• Part of Bachelor’s or Master’s studies.
• Doctoral mobility.
• Research stays.
• Academic placements.
• Language or specialist study.

Funding conditions and available study periods differ by country, making it essential to check the annex corresponding to your nationality.

4. Polonista NAWA Scholarship

Students specializing in Polish language, Polish literature or Polish culture should consider the Polonista NAWA Programme.

The 2026 programme supports foreign students, doctoral candidates and researchers interested in Polish studies and related disciplines.

Funding includes:

• PLN 2,000 per month for students.
• PLN 3,300 per month for doctoral candidates.
• Study opportunities lasting one or two semesters for students and PhD candidates.
• Research projects lasting between 3 and 12 months for eligible researchers.

Relevant disciplines can include Polish literature, linguistics, language teaching, history, art history and comparative studies.

5. General Anders Scholarship Programme

The General Anders Scholarship Programme is designed specifically for young people of Polish origin living abroad.

It provides government-supported education for members of the Polish diaspora.

At Bachelor’s level, eligible applicants can pursue:

• First-cycle Bachelor’s degrees.
• Long-cycle Master’s degrees.
• A one-year preparatory course before university when applicable.

There is also a separate route for second-cycle Master’s study.

Because the programme is restricted to applicants meeting Polish-diaspora criteria, it is not a general scholarship for all international students.

Which Polish Government Scholarship Is Best?

The strongest programme depends on your background:

• Best for eligible students from developing countries: Banach NAWA.
• Best for eligible applicants from highly developed countries: Poland My First Choice.
• Best for bilateral academic mobility: Zawacka NAWA.
• Best for Polish-language and culture specialists: Polonista NAWA.
• Best for applicants of Polish origin: General Anders Programme.

For most eligible Master’s applicants, Banach NAWA provides one of the strongest financial packages because it combines PLN 2,500 monthly funding with public-university tuition exemption and travel assistance.

Are Polish Government Scholarships Fully Funded?

Some provide very substantial funding, but applicants should use the term “fully funded” carefully.

Banach NAWA covers tuition at eligible public universities and provides monthly and travel support, but students can still face additional costs such as:

• Private accommodation.
• Food and utilities.
• Health insurance requirements.
• Visa and residence costs.
• Additional travel expenses.
• University-specific charges.

Students should calculate the total cost of studying and living in Poland before relying entirely on a scholarship stipend.

Final Thoughts

There are several valuable government scholarships for international students in Poland, particularly for Master’s students and academic mobility.

Banach NAWA is one of the strongest options for eligible applicants, offering PLN 2,500 per month, tuition fee exemption at public universities and a travel allowance. Poland My First Choice provides another government-funded Master’s route, while Zawacka, Polonista and General Anders serve more specialized groups.

Since most 2026/2027 application rounds have already closed, students planning to study in Poland in the next academic year should monitor NAWA for new calls and avoid relying on old deadlines or eligibility lists.

Official Sources

• NAWA – Banach Scholarship Programme. Official Banach NAWA programme
• NAWA – Poland My First Choice. Official Poland My First Choice programme
• NAWA – Foreign Student Scholarships. Official NAWA foreign-student programmes
• NAWA – Zawacka incoming mobility. Official Zawacka NAWA information