Stefan Banach Scholarship 2026 – NAWA Poland (Fully Funded Master's)

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) Master's Degree (Second-cycle studies) Poland

Scholarship Description

The Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme (Banach NAWA) is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship offered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. The programme supports full-time second-cycle (Master's) studies conducted in Polish or English at universities supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education in Poland.

The main goal of the Banach Scholarship is to support the socio-economic development of developing countries by improving the level of education and professional qualifications of their citizens. Named after the renowned Polish mathematician Stefan Banach, one of the founders of modern functional analysis, the scholarship reflects Poland's commitment to academic excellence and international cooperation.

The programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange in the form of Polish development aid.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at public universities in Poland supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education. Scholars may study at any eligible Polish university offering accredited second-cycle (Master's) programmes in Polish or English.

Scholarship Deadline

Application deadlines for the Stefan Banach Scholarship are typically announced annually. Prospective applicants are strongly advised to check the official NAWA website for the most current deadlines.

Typical Application Period: Applications usually open in early spring (February–March) and close in late spring (April–May).

Recommendation: Check the official NAWA website regularly for the exact application timeline. Start preparing your documents at least 3–4 months before the expected deadline.

Official Website for Deadlines: https://nawa.gov.pl/en/students/foreign-students/the-banach-scholarship-programme

Host Institution

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) – a government agency responsible for international academic exchange. The scholarship is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland as part of Polish development aid.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Second-cycle (Master's degree) studies – full-time programmes.

Fields: The scholarship supports a wide range of disciplines at Polish universities. Eligible fields include but are not limited to: engineering, technical sciences, natural sciences, exact sciences, life sciences, economics, agriculture, social sciences, and humanities. Specific priority fields may be announced each year in the call announcement.

Language of instruction: Programmes conducted in Polish or English are eligible.

Target Group

The programme is open to citizens of eligible developing countries covered by Polish development aid (Polish Aid) from:

Eastern Europe (e.g., Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)
Asia (e.g., India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mongolia)
Africa (e.g., Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa)
Latin America (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile)

Important: The full list of eligible countries is available in the official call announcement on the NAWA website. Applicants must verify their country's eligibility before applying.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: Standard duration of the chosen Master's programme (typically 1.5 to 2 years, depending on the field of study).

Financial benefits include:

Monthly scholarship: 2,500 PLN (Polish złoty) – approximately 570–600 EUR per month, sufficient to cover living costs in Poland
Exemption from tuition fees at public universities in Poland
Travel allowance: 2,500 PLN (one-time payment to cover travel costs to and from Poland)
Preparatory course funded by NAWA for candidates choosing Polish-taught programmes (intensive Polish language course before the start of studies)
Polish language and culture course for candidates choosing English-taught programmes

📊 Summary of Benefits:
Monthly stipend: 2,500 PLN | Tuition: Fully waived | Travel allowance: 2,500 PLN
Plus: Preparatory Polish course (Polish track) OR Polish language/culture course (English track)

Scholarship Eligibility

General eligibility criteria for the Stefan Banach Scholarship:

Citizenship: Citizen of one of the eligible countries listed in the call announcement (Polish Aid countries).
Educational background: Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification (typically 3–4 years of study).
Academic performance: Demonstrate above-average academic results.
Language proficiency:
- For Polish-taught programmes: Knowledge of Polish at least at B1 level (or commitment to complete the NAWA-funded preparatory course)
- For English-taught programmes: English proficiency at B2 level (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent certificate)
Motivation: Strong motivation to study in Poland and contribute to the socio-economic development of the home country after graduation.
Health insurance: Must have valid health insurance for the duration of studies in Poland (or obtain it after arrival).

✅ Eligible Candidates

Citizens of eligible Polish Aid countries (Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America).
Bachelor's degree holders with strong academic records.
Meet language requirements (Polish or English at required level).
Commitment to return to home country after studies to contribute to development.
No previous Master's degree from Poland or other countries.

❌ Ineligible Candidates

Citizens of countries not on the eligible list.
Polish citizens or citizens of EU/EEA countries.
Applicants who already hold a Master's degree.
Those who do not meet minimum language requirements.
Applicants with insufficient academic records.
Individuals who have already received a NAWA scholarship in the past.

Application Procedure

Check eligibility – Verify that your country is on the eligible list and that you meet all requirements.
Prepare required documents – Gather the following documents (typically required):
- Application form (completed online via NAWA ICT system)
- Bachelor's degree diploma and transcript of records (certified copy with translation if not in Polish or English)
- Language proficiency certificate (Polish B1 or English B2, depending on chosen programme)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) in Europass format
- Motivation letter (explaining why you chose Poland, the chosen field, and how you plan to contribute to your home country's development)
- Two recommendation letters from academic tutors or employers
- Copy of passport (information page)
- Health certificate or medical statement
Apply online – Submit your application through the NAWA ICT system during the open recruitment period. The link is available on the official Banach Scholarship webpage.
Application review – NAWA evaluates applications based on academic merit, motivation, and alignment with programme goals.
Interview (if applicable) – Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an online interview to assess language skills and motivation.
Receive scholarship decision – Successful candidates receive a scholarship award letter and further instructions for university admission.
Apply for admission to Polish university – After receiving the scholarship, scholars must apply for admission to their chosen Polish university (NAWA provides guidance).
Apply for visa and travel to Poland – Apply for a Polish national visa (Type D) at the Polish consulate in your home country. NAWA provides the travel allowance (2,500 PLN) to cover travel costs.
Participate in preparatory course (if applicable) – Scholars for Polish-taught programmes must complete the NAWA-funded preparatory Polish language course before the start of academic studies.

Important notes: All documents must be submitted in Polish or English (or accompanied by certified translations). Incomplete or late applications are not considered. The scholarship is awarded for a specific Master's programme and university.

Official Website & Application Link

NAWA – Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme (Official Page)

NAWA Contact: For specific questions about eligibility, application, or deadlines, refer to the contact information on the NAWA website.

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💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements

The Stefan Banach Scholarship is an exceptional opportunity for students from eligible developing countries to pursue a fully funded Master's degree in Poland. With a monthly stipend of 2,500 PLN, full tuition waiver, travel allowance, and language support, scholars can focus entirely on their studies while experiencing Poland's rich academic tradition and cultural heritage.

Key strategies for a successful application:

Verify your country's eligibility on the official NAWA website before applying.
Prepare a compelling motivation letter that clearly explains how your studies in Poland will help you contribute to your home country's socio-economic development.
Secure strong recommendation letters from academic referees who know your abilities well.
Meet language requirements early — take an English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL) or Polish exam well before the deadline.
Start your application early — document preparation (translations, notarization, etc.) takes time.
Research Polish universities and Master's programmes in advance to ensure they match your academic and career goals.
Polish-taught programmes include a preparatory language course funded by NAWA — this is an excellent opportunity to gain language skills while studying.

Important reminders: The scholarship is part of Polish development aid — successful applicants are expected to return to their home countries after graduation to contribute to local development. The monthly stipend (2,500 PLN) is sufficient for student living costs in Poland, including accommodation, food, and local transport. NAWA may update eligibility criteria and deadlines annually — always check the official website for the most current information.

Stefan Banach Scholarship 2026 – FAQ

What does the Stefan Banach Scholarship cover?

The scholarship includes a monthly stipend of 2,500 PLN, full tuition waiver at public universities, a travel allowance of 2,500 PLN, and a preparatory language course (for Polish-taught programmes) or Polish language/culture course (for English-taught programmes).

Who is eligible to apply?

Citizens of eligible developing countries covered by Polish development aid (Polish Aid) from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The full list of eligible countries is available in the call announcement on the NAWA website.

What is the application deadline?

Deadlines are announced annually. Typically, applications open in early spring (February–March) and close in late spring (April–May). Check the official NAWA website for current deadlines.

What language proficiency is required?

For Polish-taught programmes: Polish at B1 level (or commitment to complete the NAWA-funded preparatory course). For English-taught programmes: English at B2 level (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent).

Can I choose any Master's programme in Poland?

You may apply for full-time second-cycle (Master's) programmes conducted in Polish or English at public universities supervised by the Minister of Science and Higher Education. The programme must be accredited and align with the scholarship's development goals.

Is there a service commitment after graduation?

While there is no formal bond, the scholarship's goal is to support the socio-economic development of the scholar's home country. Scholars are expected to return home after graduation and apply their knowledge and skills to benefit their communities.

How competitive is the Stefan Banach Scholarship?

The scholarship is highly competitive, with limited slots each year. Successful applicants typically have outstanding academic records, strong motivation letters, and clear plans to contribute to their home country's development.