FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme
Academic year 2026/27
This FAQ is intended for informational purposes only and provides a simplified summary. For authoritative and legally binding information, please consult the official Call for applications and the NAWA Programme Regulations.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Q1 What is this programme?
It is a scholarship programme funded by the Polish government that provides financial support for pursuing a Master’s degree in Poland. It is not limited to any specific study field. The project is co-financed within the framework of the Polish development cooperation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
Q2 Who can apply?
Applicants must be citizens and must have obtained their degree in of one of the following countries: Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, or Vietnam.
Applicants must NOT have Polish citizenship and must NOT have a Master's degree already.
Q3 What degree is required to apply?
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) obtained not earlier than in 2024 in one of the countries covered by the programme. Those who have not yet graduated may apply, provided they obtain their Bachelor’s degree diploma by 15 July 2026.
Q4 My country is not on the eligible list. Can I still apply for the programme?
No. Eligible applicants must hold citizenship of a country that is included in the list of covered countries specified in the Call for Applications: Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, or Vietnam.
Q5 I am a citizen of an eligible country, but I completed my Bachelor’s degree in a country that is not on the eligible list. Am I eligible to apply?
No, eligibility is determined by both of the criteria specified in the Call for Applications. This means that the first-cycle (Bachelor's) degree must have been obtained in one of the countries covered by the programme. If this condition is not met, the applicant will not be eligible to apply for the current programme edition.
Q6 I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Poland. Can I apply for the programme?
No. Applicants who obtained their first-cycle (Bachelor’s) degree in Poland are not eligible to apply under the current edition of the programme, even if they hold citizenship of an eligible country.
LANGUAGE & STUDY OPTIONS
Q7 Do I need to speak Polish?
Language requirements depend on your chosen study path:
• Polish-language studies: Minimum B2 level in Polish.
• Preparatory Polish course: Minimum B1 level in Polish.
• English-language studies: Minimum B2 level in English; knowledge of Polish is not required.
Q8 What type of studies does this programme cover?
The scholarship covers all full-time second-cycle programmes of study in Polish or English, starting in October 2026, at the universities listed in the call for applications.
Studies in Polish may be preceded by a one-year preparatory Polish language course.
Q9 My chosen university has not started the admission process yet. What should I do? Can I apply?
Scholarship is available for full-time, second-cycle studies for which Polish or English is the language of instruction.
Studies in Polish may be preceded by a one-year preparatory Polish language course.
Q10 I want to apply to different courses, I am not sure which one I will choose in the end.
When applying for the scholarship, indicate your first-choice course in your application.
If you are awarded the scholarship, you will be asked to confirm your admission to the programme of study you will actually start.
Q11 My chosen programme starts in February. Can I apply?
No, in accordance with the Call for Applications, only study programmes starting in October 2026 are covered. Programmes beginning in February cannot be considered.
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING DETAILS
Q12 What does the scholarship cover?
• Monthly stipend: PLN 2,500 (approx. €580) during the standard period of studies and preparatory courses (if applicable).
• One-time travel allowance to cover part of the cost of travel to Poland.
• Tuition fees at public universities are fully waived.
Q13 When does the programme start?
The scholarship is applicable for studies beginning in October 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
Q14 How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted online via the NAWA application system, in either Polish or English. Only one application per applicant is allowed.
Q15 What documents are required?
To apply for the scholarship, you need to attach the following:
• Passport photo page
• Bachelor's diploma and transcript of grades (or a university certificate if not yet graduated)
• Proof of contact/application to a Polish university (not required if applying for the preparatory course path)
• Language certificate (Polish or English, depending on your path)
• Short video (1–3 minutes) in Polish or English explaining your motivation to study in Poland
Optional: recommendation letter from the Polish embassy in your country.
Q16 Are there any limitations on where I can study?
The scholarship doesn’t set the limitations in terms of chosen field of studies. Applicants choose a full-time second-cycle (Master’s) programme at one of covered universities and apply for admission.
Tuition is waived only at public universities. If you enroll at a private university, please be informed that you will need to settle the issue of tuition fees individually with your chosen university.
Q17 I forgot to add some documents to my application. What can I do?
If you submitted your application as an eligible applicant but it is incomplete (e.g. missing a GPA certificate or language certificate), it may be returned to you during the formal assessment stage for a one-time supplementation within 14 days.
If the required documents are still not provided within this period, the application will be left without consideration.
SELECTION & RESULTS
Q18 When will the scholarship results be announced?
The results of the scholarship selection will be announced by July 31, 2026 on our website.
The outcomes will also be communicated individually via the NAWA application system. Please make sure you have access to the email address provided in your scholarship application, as all notifications will be sent there.
Q19 Will NAWA support me in admission to my chosen university?
No. You are responsible for applying to your chosen Polish university independently. The university admission process is separate from the scholarship application. NAWA does not arrange or coordinate university admissions.