If you want to study Polish language and culture in Poland—or do a research stay focused on Polish studies—the Polonista NAWA 2026 Scholarship is one of the most relevant, specialized funding options in Europe. Applications are accepted until 3 April 2026 (3:00 p.m., Warsaw local time), submitted online via NAWA’s ICT system. The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange announces the opening of the call for applications for the Polonista NAWA scholarship programme. The initiative offers foreign nationals interested in the Polish language and culture an opportunity to pursue studies or carry out research projects in Poland. The aim of the programme is to promote the Polish language and to popularise Polish studies and research internationally.
Basic information (deadline included)
- Scholarship name: Polonista NAWA 2026 (for the 2026/2027 cycle).
- Organized by: Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)
- Host country: Poland.
- Who it is for: The programme supports mobility related to Polish language, literature, culture, history and related fields; in the 2026 call document, the scope is described for researchers (academic staff mobility, 3–12 months).
- Mobility duration: 3 to 12 months.
- Programme timeframe: From 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2027, with mobility ending by 30 September 2027; projects cannot start in January.
- Application deadline: 3 April 2026, 3:00 p.m. (Warsaw time).
- Duration
- Students (UG/Master’s/PhD): 1–2 semesters
- Researchers: 3–12 months
Scholarship Tracks
Incoming Offer (For Foreigners)
- Students: Polish philology or Slavic studies students studying abroad
- Scientists: Foreign researchers in Polish language, history, literature, or art
🇵🇱 Outgoing Offer (For Polish Citizens)
- Researchers/Teachers: Funding to teach or conduct research at foreign institutions offering Polish or Slavic studies programs
Programme Objective
- Promote the Polish language worldwide
- Support international interest in Polish culture and studies
- Enable foreigners to study or conduct research in Poland
University/institution details
The scholarship is managed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), headquartered in Warsaw.
For the “incoming” mobility described in the 2026 call, the host centre must be part of Poland’s science and higher education system (e.g., universities, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, research institutes, or the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences).
Host Institutions
- 16 Polish universities have hosted participants
Top Universities for Students
- University of Warsaw
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
- University of Silesia in Katowice
- Jagiellonian University in Kraków
Top Universities for Researchers
- Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
- University of Silesia in Katowice
Programme Statistics
- 281 participants supported
- 26 countries represented (including Poland)
- 225 students & doctoral candidates
- 56 researchers
Study areas (available program names)
Polonista NAWA supports projects connected to Polish studies and closely related disciplines, including areas like Polish language teaching, literary studies, comparative studies, culture, art, and history.
- Polish language
- Literature
- History
- Art & art history
- Comparative studies
- Polish linguistics & Polish language teaching
Polonista NAWA Scholarship benefits
For the 2026 researchers’ call, the official budget includes these funding components:
- Students: PLN 2,000 per month
- Doctoral candidates: PLN 3,300 per month
- Scholarship Covers:
- Full or partial scholarship
- Cost of education
- Monthly stipend
- What Participants Can Do
- Attend lectures and academic classes
- Conduct research projects
- Collect materials for thesis or publications
- Improve Polish language skills
- Access libraries, archives, and university resources
Monthly Stipend Details
| Category | Duration | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate/Master’s Students | 1–2 semesters | PLN 2,000 |
| Doctoral Candidates | 1–2 semesters | PLN 3,300 |
| Foreign Researchers | 3–12 months | PLN 3,500 (for PhD holders) |
Benefits not included
NAWA clearly states several costs are not covered under the programme (so you must budget separately):
- Visa and insurance costs are borne by the scholarship holder.
- The programme does not fund institutional indirect costs or research costs (e.g., materials, conference participation, publication costs); these must come from other sources.
Eligibility criteria for Polonista NAWA Scholarship
The 2026 official call (researchers) lists key eligibility requirements. You generally must:
- Students
- Students of:
- Polish philology
- Polish studies
- Slavic studies (with Polish language/culture focus)
- Can apply for:
- Partial studies (1–2 semesters)
- Full second-cycle (Master’s) studies
- Students of:
- Doctoral Candidates
- 1–2 semesters of study or research in Poland
- Foreign Researchers
- Research projects lasting 3–12 months
- Topics must relate to:
- Polish language
- Polish language teaching (glottodidactics)
- Literary studies
- Comparative studies
- Polish culture, art, or history
- Polish Researchers
- Academic mobility to foreign universities offering:
Required documents
The researchers’ call provides a specific attachment list. Your application typically includes:
- Academic CV (max 3 pages, A4, minimum 11pt font) with education, career path, achievements, projects.
- Scan of doctoral diploma (or confirmation), plus certified translation into English if needed (when not in Polish/English/Latin).
- Confirmation of employment (issued no earlier than 3 months before the call announcement).
- Publication list (up to 10 most important works from the last 10 years, counted from 2016 in the call).
- Two selected scientific publications (with extra requirements for monographs and translations if not in Polish/English).
- Host institution invitation (specific template/Appendix is referenced; issued within 3 months; signed by the academic supervisor and a manager-level representative, and containing required project details).
- Proof of citizenship (e.g., passport scan).
NAWA also notes that attachments not in Polish/English must be translated into Polish or English using acceptable certification routes.
Polonista NAWA Scholarship application process (step-by-step)
NAWA states that applications are submitted only electronically via the Agency’s ICT system, and can be written in Polish or English.
A practical step-by-step flow looks like this:
- Choose your project topic aligned with Polish studies (language/literature/culture/history/art) and define a 3–12 month mobility plan.
- Secure a Polish host centre and obtain the official invitation with all required elements and signatures.
- Prepare your document package (CV, diploma, employment confirmation, publications, proof of citizenship, etc.).
- Complete the application in NAWA’s ICT system and upload attachments before the deadline.
- Wait for evaluation (applications go through formal and substantive review stages; substantive evaluation includes pre-selection and reviewer assessment as described).
- If selected, follow NAWA’s required confirmations and reporting obligations during the project (e.g., confirming start within required timelines and submitting the final report after mobility ends).
The planned date for announcing results in the researchers’ call is 4 July 2026.
Tips for a successful application
These tips align with how NAWA describes evaluation and what reviewers look for:
- Make your project “Polonista-relevant”: clearly connect your research goals to Polish studies (language teaching, literature, comparative studies, culture, art, history).
- Justify the host institution: explain why this university/institute is the best match and what the host gains from your stay (NAWA includes this in evaluation criteria).
- Show strong outputs: select publications that best demonstrate impact and fit the programme’s aims; follow translation rules carefully.
- Plan realistic timing: pick a 3–12 month period that fits your tasks and remember the programme timing limits (and that projects cannot start in January).
- Don’t treat the invitation as “formal”: it’s a core evaluation anchor, and NAWA specifies required content and signatures.
Monthly living expenses in Poland (USD)
Actual costs vary by city (Warsaw is typically more expensive than smaller cities), lifestyle, and whether you live in a dorm or private flat. NAWA’s researchers’ call explicitly provides monthly funding components (scholarship + living/accommodation lump sum) in PLN, but your spending categories usually look like this for international students/research visitors in Poland: rent, utilities, food, local transport, phone/internet, and personal items.
A realistic planning range many applicants use for Poland is about USD 500–1,200/month, depending on housing type and city (budget vs. comfortable). (This is a budgeting estimate for your blog readers; you should always adjust to the specific city and current rental market.)
If you want, tell me your target city (e.g., Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Lublin), and I’ll tailor a cleaner USD breakdown for that location.
Why choose Polonista NAWA 2026? (5+ reasons)
- It is purpose-built for Polish studies and Polish-focused research themes, not a generic scholarship.
- Mobility is flexible (3–12 months), which suits visiting research, archival work, and teaching collaboration.
- The funding structure includes monthly support plus additional lump sums (living/accommodation by country group and travel support).
- The programme supports international academic exchange by connecting applicants with Polish universities and research institutions.
- Clear, documented rules: NAWA specifies required documents, evaluation stages, timeline limits, and reporting duties in the official call.
- Family-friendly option: there is monthly support for applicants with minor children (under the conditions NAWA states).
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1) What is the application deadline for Polonista NAWA 2026?
Applications are accepted until 3 April 2026, 3:00 p.m. (Warsaw local time).
2) How do I apply—email or online portal?
NAWA requires submission only in electronic form via the Agency’s ICT system.
3) How long can I stay in Poland on this scholarship?
The mobility period is 3 to 12 months, and it must fit within the programme’s timeline (mobility must end by 30 September 2027).
4) What fields are supported under Polonista NAWA?
The programme supports work in Polish studies-related areas such as Polish language, Polish language teaching, literary studies, comparative studies, Polish culture, art, and history (as described by NAWA).
5) Does the scholarship pay for visa, insurance, or research costs?
Visa and insurance are paid by the scholarship holder, and NAWA states it does not fund research costs like materials, conferences, or publications.
6) When will results be announced?
The researchers’ call lists 4 July 2026 as the planned date of results announcement.
