Scholarships for Studying in Poland 2026

Poland offers strong scholarship options for international students. The NAWA (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) runs several programs covering full tuition and living costs. Erasmus+ funds exchange semesters and full degree programs. The Visegrad Fund supports students from Central Europe and beyond. Individual universities offer tuition waivers of 30–100% based on merit. This guide lists every major funding option with eligibility criteria and deadlines.

NAWA Scholarships

NAWA Polish Government Scholarship

NAWA offers fully funded scholarships for international students at all levels. The program covers:

• Tuition fee exemption at public universities
• Monthly stipend: PLN 1,700/month (bachelor/master) or PLN 2,200/month (PhD)
• Health insurance coverage
• No return obligation

Eligibility: Open to citizens of most non-EU countries. Strong academic record required (top 10% of class). Applications open January–March each year. Approximately 40–60 scholarships awarded annually.

NAWA Ulam Programme

Targets postdoctoral researchers for 6–24 month stays at Polish institutions. Monthly stipend: PLN 10,000–15,000. Covers research visits, not degree programs.

NAWA Banach Scholarship Programme

Funded by Polish development aid. Targets students from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Central America, and Eastern Europe. Covers full tuition + PLN 1,700/month stipend for master programs in engineering, sciences, agriculture, and veterinary science.

NAWA Ignacy Lukasiewicz Scholarship

For PhD students from developing countries. Full tuition waiver + monthly stipend of PLN 2,200. Focus areas: engineering, technical sciences, agriculture, and natural sciences.

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Erasmus+ Funding

Erasmus+ Exchange (1–2 semesters)

EU students can study in Poland for 1–2 semesters through Erasmus+ and receive a monthly grant. You apply through your home university.

Home Country Group	Monthly Grant (EUR)
Group 1 (high cost of living)	€350–€450
Group 2 (medium cost)	€300–€400
Group 3 (low cost)	€250–€350

Poland falls in Group 3, so incoming Erasmus students receive the lower grant range. However, the low living costs in Poland mean the grant covers more than in Western Europe.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Several Polish universities participate in Erasmus Mundus programs. These fully funded joint master programs cover tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance of €1,400/month. Highly competitive with a global applicant pool.

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Visegrad Fund

The International Visegrad Fund supports academic exchange among the V4 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary) and beyond.

Visegrad Scholarships

• For master and PhD students from V4 countries, Eastern Partnership countries, and Western Balkans
• Monthly stipend: €2,300 for incoming students to V4 countries
• Duration: 1–4 semesters
• Applications open November–January

Visegrad Strategic Grants

Funding for research projects and conferences involving V4 institutions. Not direct student scholarships, but useful for PhD researchers.

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University-Specific Scholarships

University of Warsaw

Scholarship	Value	Level	Criteria
Rector’s Scholarship	Tuition reduction 30–100%	All levels	Top academic performance (GPA 4.0+/5.0)
International Student Fund	PLN 1,000–2,000/month	Master / PhD	Financial need + academic merit

Jagiellonian University (Kraków)

Scholarship	Value	Level	Criteria
JU Excellence Scholarship	Full tuition waiver	Bachelor / Master	Outstanding academic results
JU Doctoral School Stipend	PLN 2,700–3,500/month	PhD	All doctoral students enrolled

Warsaw University of Technology (WUT)

Scholarship	Value	Level	Criteria
Rector’s Award	50–100% tuition reduction	All levels	Top GPA in department
Research Assistantship	PLN 2,000–3,000/month	Master / PhD	Research contribution

AGH University of Kraków

Scholarship	Value	Level	Criteria
AGH Merit Scholarship	30–100% tuition reduction	Bachelor / Master	Academic performance
AGH Doctoral Stipend	PLN 2,500–3,500/month	PhD	Enrolled doctoral students

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External Scholarships

Konrad Adenauer Foundation

German students and students from select countries can apply for academic support including monthly stipends and networking events. Focus on students engaged in political and social issues.

DAAD (German Students)

German students studying in Poland can apply for DAAD grants covering living costs and travel.

Country-Specific Sponsorships

Many governments sponsor citizens to study abroad. Indian students have the National Overseas Scholarship. Turkish students can apply through YTB (Türkiye Scholarships). Saudi students use SACM funding.

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Scholarship Timeline

Month	Action
September–November	Research scholarships, identify targets
December–January	Prepare documents, write essays
January–March	Submit NAWA, Erasmus+, Visegrad applications
March–May	University-specific scholarship deadlines
May–July	Receive scholarship decisions
October	Academic year starts

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Tips for Strong Applications

1. Apply to multiple scholarships: Do not depend on one. Apply to 5+ different programs.
2. Match the criteria exactly: Read eligibility requirements word by word. Disqualification for technicalities is common.
3. Write country-specific essays: Explain why Poland — not just “Europe.” Mention specific universities, programs, and research groups.
4. Show community impact: NAWA and Visegrad value applicants who plan to contribute to their home communities.
5. Get references early: Contact professors 6 weeks before the deadline.
6. Proofread in English: Grammatical errors in English-language applications signal carelessness. Have a native speaker review your essay.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest scholarship for Poland?

NAWA Government Scholarships and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offer the most comprehensive funding: full tuition + living stipend.

Can EU students get scholarships?

Yes. EU students qualify for Erasmus+ grants, Visegrad Fund scholarships, university merit awards, and most external programs.

Do Polish universities offer fee waivers?

Yes. Most major universities offer 30–100% tuition reductions based on academic merit. These are usually automatic for top-performing students.

Is there funding for medical students?

Limited. Most medical scholarships are partial. NAWA Banach does not cover medicine. Some universities offer merit-based fee reductions. External scholarships from your home country may apply.

When should I apply?

Most deadlines fall between January and March for an October start. Start preparing in September of the year before.

Can I combine scholarships?

Some scholarships allow combination (e.g., university waiver + external grant). NAWA scholarships typically cannot be combined with other Polish government funding.

What GPA do I need?

NAWA requires top 10% of class. University merit scholarships typically require a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or equivalent.

Are PhD students funded in Poland?

Yes. All enrolled doctoral students at Polish doctoral schools receive a mandatory stipend of PLN 2,700–3,500/month. This is one of the best PhD funding structures in Europe.