UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW
University of Warsaw Doctoral School Scholarships
living only · phd
- ~PLN 4,242/month before eval (€11,800/yr est.)Early-stage stipend
- ~PLN 5,340/month after eval (€14,800/yr est.)Later-stage stipend
- 325 doctoral positionsPlaces available
- 26 scientific disciplinesResearch areas
- 4 doctoral schoolsStructure
- All countriesOpen globally
At a glance
living only
Funding
€15k
Max amount
May 29, 2027
Deadline
All countries (international students)
Country
University of Warsaw
Provider
The University of Warsaw, founded in 1816, is one of Poland's largest research universities, with more than 1,700 doctoral candidates across its four doctoral schools. For the 2026/2027 academic year it offers funded PhD places with 325 doctoral positions available across 26 scientific disciplines. The four doctoral schools are the Doctoral School of Social Sciences, the Doctoral School of Humanities, the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, and the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School. Every admitted doctoral candidate receives a monthly scholarship financed under Polish regulations: about PLN 4,242 gross per month before the mid-term evaluation and about PLN 5,340 gross per month after it (together roughly €11,800 to €14,800 per year (est.)), with an extra PLN 1,040 per month for candidates holding a disability certificate. A 'Scholarship to Start' top-up is awarded to the top 20% of candidates with the best enrolment scores in each discipline. Applications are submitted via the Internet Recruitment of Candidates (IRK) platform and assessed on the research proposal and scientific achievements, with written exams in the exact and natural sciences and oral interviews elsewhere. Because the stipend rates, number of places, and closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official University of Warsaw page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly scholarship (early stage) — A monthly doctoral scholarship of about PLN 4,242 gross (around €990 (est.)) before the mid-term evaluation.
- Monthly scholarship (later stage) — An increased monthly scholarship of about PLN 5,340 gross (around €1,240 (est.)) after a positive mid-term evaluation.
- Disability supplement — An additional PLN 1,040 gross per month for candidates who hold a disability certificate.
- Scholarship to Start — A top-up award for the top 20% of candidates with the best enrolment scores in each discipline.
- Research environment — Access to research facilities, experienced supervisors, and a supervisor search tool across 26 disciplines and four doctoral schools.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the University of Warsaw's Internet Recruitment of Candidates (IRK) platform before the deadline.
- Find a supervisor — Use the Doctoral School Forum supervisor search tool to identify a potential academic mentor who is open to taking on new PhD students.
- Choose your doctoral school — Select the relevant doctoral school and discipline from the 26 available scientific disciplines.
- Register on the IRK platform — Create an account on the Internet Recruitment of Candidates (IRK) platform and complete the online application.
- Submit your research proposal and documents — Upload your research proposal, evidence of scientific achievements, and required documents before the deadline around 29 May 2026 (est.).
- Sit the assessment — Take the written exam (exact and natural sciences) or oral interview (other schools); final admission results are announced in July.
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to international students from all countries; there is no nationality restriction.
AdmissionMust be admitted to a PhD place in one of the four doctoral schools through the IRK recruitment process.
Research proposalMust submit a strong research proposal and evidence of scientific achievements, which form the basis of the assessment.
Assessment routeApplicants to the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences sit written exams; applicants to the other schools take oral interviews.
Specific eligibility criteria vary by PhD programme, so check the requirements for your chosen discipline. The Doctoral School Forum offers a supervisor search tool to help you find a suitable academic mentor.
Eligible countries
All countries (international students)
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD cycle~29 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by the University of Warsaw on the strength of the research proposal and the candidate's scientific achievements. The Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences uses written exams, while the other schools conduct oral interviews. All admitted candidates receive the doctoral scholarship, and the top 20% of candidates with the best enrolment scores in each discipline also receive the Scholarship to Start top-up. Final admission results are published in July.
Verified sources
- University of Warsawuw.edu.plofficial
- University of Warsaw - IRK Admissions Platformirk.uw.edu.plofficial
About the provider
The University of Warsaw, founded in 1816, is one of Poland's largest research universities and a leading institution in Central and Eastern Europe. It hosts more than 1,700 doctoral candidates across four doctoral schools and offers funded PhD places in 26 scientific disciplines supported under Polish government regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the University of Warsaw doctoral scholarships?
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International students from all countries who are admitted to a PhD place in one of the university's four doctoral schools through the IRK recruitment process.
What does the scholarship cover?
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A monthly doctoral scholarship of about PLN 4,242 gross before the mid-term evaluation and about PLN 5,340 gross after it (together roughly €11,800 to €14,800 per year (est.)).
Is the PhD fully funded?
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Yes; every admitted doctoral candidate receives a monthly scholarship funded under Polish government regulations for the duration of the programme.
How many PhD positions are available?
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There are 325 doctoral positions across 26 scientific disciplines for the 2026/2027 cycle.
Which doctoral schools can I apply to?
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The Doctoral School of Social Sciences, the Doctoral School of Humanities, the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, and the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School.
Is there extra funding for candidates with a disability?
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Yes; candidates with a disability certificate receive an additional PLN 1,040 gross per month.
What is the Scholarship to Start?
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A top-up award given to the top 20% of candidates with the best enrolment scores in each discipline.
How are applicants assessed?
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On the research proposal and scientific achievements, with written exams in the exact and natural sciences and oral interviews in the other schools.
How do I find a supervisor?
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Use the supervisor search tool on the Doctoral School Forum to browse academic profiles and connect with potential mentors.
How do I apply?
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Apply online through the Internet Recruitment of Candidates (IRK) platform and submit your research proposal and documents before the deadline.
When is the deadline?
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The application deadline falls around 29 May 2026 (est.) with final admission results in July 2026; confirm exact dates officially.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official University of Warsaw and IRK admissions pages linked in the sources section.