✨ Should I Apply for Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme (NAWA)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Competitive (Approx. 10-15%)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
1,500 PLN to 1,700 PLN per month
🗓
Deadline
March 31 (Annual average, varies by call for proposals)
🔬
Fields
Engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences, and natural sciences
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 260 to 300 per year
🏛️
Provider
Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)
📊
Acceptance
Varies based on country quotas and number of applicants
The Stefan Banach Scholarship Programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). It is designed to promote socio-economic progress in developing countries by enabling students to pursue free second-cycle studies at Polish universities in STEM, agricultural, and natural science fields.
👥 Who Should Apply
Must be a citizen of an eligible country, hold a Bachelor's degree obtained within the last 3 years, and have not previously obtained a Master's degree.
🏛️ Host University
Public and private universities in Poland supervised by the Ministry of Education and Science
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Poland
🔬 Fields of Study
Engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences, and natural sciences
✨ Key Benefits
Provides a monthly living allowance, full tuition coverage at public institutions, and a small relocation grant for international students from selected countries.
🎯 Target Students
International students from developing nations
🏷 Tags
Poland
Master's
STEM
Government Scholarship
Fully Funded
International Students
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (100% at public universities)
Living Stipend
1,500 PLN monthly for the duration of the Master's program
Total Award
1,500 PLN to 1,700 PLN per m
✈️ Travel: No
🏠 Accommodation: No (Paid by the student using the monthly stipend)
💊 Health Insurance: No (Students must purchase their own health insurance)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: Free for the scholarship application; university admission fees vary
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (100% at public universities)
🏠 Living Stipend
1,500 PLN monthly for the duration of the Master's program
🏡 Accommodation
No (Paid by the student using the monthly stipend)
💊 Health Insurance
No (Students must purchase their own health insurance)
🎁 Other Benefits
One-time relocation allowance of 500 PLN; exemption from recruitment fees at public universities
📋 Renewal Conditions
Contingent upon passing all courses and maintaining student status for the subsequent year
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Citizens of developing countries listed by NAWA (including Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, and Western Balkans)
🎓 Academic Level
Master's Degree (Second-cycle studies)
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies by university, typically 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent
🗣️ English Requirement
B2 Level (IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL iBT 80+, or equivalent) or B2 Polish
🎂 Age Limit
No formal age limit, but targeted at recent Bachelor's graduates
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Not required but considered an asset in the CV
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
International students from developing nations
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
No (Motivation letter is standard for university admission, not always for NAWA portal)
Application Fee
Free for the scholarship application; university admission fees vary
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- No Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- B2 Level (IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL iBT 80+, or equivalent) or B2 Polish
- Interview: No
- Min GPA: Varies by university, typically 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent
📋 Application Process
Ensure all transcripts are translated into Polish or English by a sworn translator. Confirm if your chosen university requires a separate admission process.
💡 Insider Tip: Select STEM fields for a higher chance of success as they are prioritized by the Polish Ministry.