Stefan Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme

Poland has become an increasingly attractive destination for international postgraduate study because of its low cost of living relative to Western Europe, EU-recognised degrees, and a rapidly growing number of English-taught Master's programmes in engineering, IT, business, and the sciences. The Banach programme is Poland's way of actively recruiting talented students from outside the EU/EEA who might otherwise default to Germany, the UK, or North America, and it does so by removing the two biggest financial obstacles: tuition and living costs.

Successful applicants first go through a preparatory year (if required) to bring their Polish language skills up to a level where they can study effectively, since a portion of Banach-funded programmes are taught in Polish, though a growing share are available in English. Scholars are matched with a public university and degree programme based on their prior academic background and stated preferences, and NAWA coordinates directly with the host institution on enrolment and accommodation.

Because the eligible-country list is refreshed for every annual call and generally favours nations NAWA classifies as developing or in transition, applicants should always check the current year's list rather than assume automatic eligibility from a prior cycle — the roster typically includes a broad mix of countries across Asia, Africa, the Caucasus, Latin America, and the Western Balkans.

The programme is competitive: NAWA and its partner universities assess academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, and in many cases an interview, prioritising applicants with a clear academic or professional rationale for the specific field of study chosen in Poland.