NAWA — POLISH NATIONAL AGENCY FOR ACADEMIC EXCHANGE
Polish Government Scholarship – Stefan Banach Programme (NAWA)
full · masters
- Tuition-free + stipendCoverage
- ~PLN 1,500/mo (est.)NAWA scholarship
- Study in PolandWhere
- Master's (2nd cycle)Study level
- STEM & agriculturePriority fields
- Run by NAWAAdministrator
At a glance
full
Funding
€10k
Max amount
May 15, 2027
Deadline
Selected partner and developing countries — e.g. Eastern Partnership states, Western Balkans, and others on the Polish development-cooperation list (confirm the current cycle list)
Country
NAWA — Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
Provider
The Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme is a Polish Government scholarship run by NAWA, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It funds students from selected developing and partner countries to take a second-cycle (master's) degree at public higher-education institutions in Poland, with priority for engineering and technical sciences, agriculture, and the exact and natural sciences. The programme exempts holders from tuition fees at Polish public universities and pays a monthly NAWA scholarship of around ~PLN 1,500 (est.) toward living costs. The first year usually includes a preparatory course — for example a Polish-language year — and the award then runs for the standard 2-year (4-semester) master's programme, named after the Polish mathematician Stefan Banach (1892–1945). Applications open each year with a closing date around 15 May (est.). Because eligible countries, fields, and amounts are set each cycle, treat the figures and the date here as estimates and confirm current details on NAWA's official Stefan Banach Programme page.
What's covered
- Tuition exemption — No tuition fees at the Polish public higher-education institution.
- Monthly scholarship — A NAWA living-cost scholarship of around ~PLN 1,500 per month (est.).
- Preparatory course — The first year usually covers a preparatory course (e.g. a Polish-language year) where needed.
- Duration — For the standard 2-year (4-semester) second-cycle master's programme.
- Not covered — Travel to Poland and some personal costs are generally not covered — budget for these.
How to apply
Apply through NAWA's online system in the annual Stefan Banach call, choosing an eligible Polish master's programme.
- Check eligibility — Confirm your country and field are eligible in the current call.
- Choose a programme — Select a second-cycle master's programme at a Polish public institution, in a priority field where possible.
- Prepare documents — Assemble your bachelor's diploma/transcript, CV, and any language evidence.
- Apply via NAWA — Submit the Stefan Banach application in NAWA's online system by the deadline (~15 May, est.).
- Selection — NAWA evaluates applications on merit and programme fit.
- Placement & enrolment — If awarded, take up the (preparatory and) master's place at the Polish university and enrol.
Eligibility
CountryA citizen of one of the eligible countries set for the cycle (e.g. Eastern Partnership, Western Balkans, and selected developing countries).
LevelApplying for a second-cycle (master's) degree at a Polish public higher-education institution.
Prior degreeHolding (or about to complete) a first-cycle/bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Field priorityPriority for engineering/technical sciences, agriculture, and the exact and natural sciences.
LanguageStudying in Polish (after the preparatory year) or in English, depending on the programme.
Holders cannot usually hold the scholarship at the same time as other NAWA awards. The list of eligible countries and priority fields is set in each annual call.
Eligible countries
Selected partner and developing countries — e.g. Eastern Partnership states, Western Balkans, and others on the Polish development-cooperation list (confirm the current cycle list)
Deadlines
2027 cycle2027-05-15
Selection
NAWA assesses Stefan Banach applicants on academic merit, the relevance of the prior degree to the chosen master's, and priority given to engineering/technical, agricultural, and exact and natural sciences, within the eligible-country framework. A limited number of awards are granted each year, so selection is decided among the strongest applicants.
Verified sources
- NAWA — Stefan Banach Scholarship Programmenawa.gov.plofficial
About the provider
NAWA, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, is a Polish government agency that manages international academic mobility and scholarship programmes. The Stefan Banach Programme, run with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, funds master's-level study in Poland for students from selected developing and partner countries.
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.
What is the Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme?
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A Polish Government scholarship run by NAWA (with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for students from selected developing and partner countries to take a master's degree at Polish public universities.
What does it cover?
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Tuition exemption at the Polish public institution plus a monthly NAWA living-cost scholarship of around ~PLN 1,500 (est.), with a preparatory course usually covered in the first year.
How much is the monthly scholarship?
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Around ~PLN 1,500 per month (est.) toward living costs. Confirm the current amount in NAWA's call, as rates are set each cycle.
Who is eligible?
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Citizens of the eligible countries set for the cycle (such as Eastern Partnership states, Western Balkans, and selected developing countries) applying for a master's in a priority field.
Which study level does it fund?
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Second-cycle (master's) degree studies — usually the standard 2-year (4-semester) programme.
Which fields are prioritised?
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Engineering and technical sciences, agriculture, and the exact and natural sciences are prioritised, though the precise list is set each cycle.
Do I need to speak Polish?
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Some programmes are taught in Polish (with a preparatory Polish-language year), others in English. Check the language of your chosen programme.
How do I apply?
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Through NAWA's online system during the annual Stefan Banach call, selecting an eligible Polish master's programme and submitting your documents by the deadline.
When is the deadline?
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The call usually closes around 15 May; the 2027 date here is an estimate. Confirm the current deadline on NAWA's official page.
Who was Stefan Banach?
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A Polish mathematician (1892–1945) and a founder of modern functional analysis, after whom the programme is named.
Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
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Generally you cannot hold this together with another NAWA scholarship. Check the call's conditions before accepting other awards.
Where can I confirm current details?
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On NAWA's official Stefan Banach Programme page, which lists eligible countries, priority fields, the scholarship amount, and the application deadline.