Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme 2026 in Poland — Fully Funded
The Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme 2026 is open to international students from selected developing countries, and the application deadline is May 8, 2026. If you are a citizen of one of the eligible countries — including Nigeria — and you hold a bachelor’s degree completed no earlier than 2024 or are in your final semester and will graduate by July 15, 2026, this scholarship funds a full-time master’s degree at a public university in Poland starting in October 2026. The award covers tuition fees, pays a monthly stipend of PLN 2,500, and includes a travel allowance of PLN 2,500 to support your move to Poland.
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There are two things about this scholarship that every prospective applicant needs to understand before going any further. The first is the application slot system. Unlike many scholarships that accept applications until the stated deadline, the Banach Programme closes applications for a country group as soon as it reaches the maximum number of submissions. If you wait until the days just before 8 May to apply, you may miss the opportunity because the programme could fill all available application slots for your country before the deadline. The earlier you apply, the safer you are. The second thing worth understanding is the structure of the programme itself. The Banach Scholarship honours Stefan Banach, one of Poland’s most renowned mathematicians. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) jointly manage the programme.
The programme serves as a targeted development initiative rather than a general study-in-Europe scholarship. It aims to strengthen the academic and professional capacity of young graduates from developing countries and equip them with the skills and knowledge to contribute to their home countries after completing their studies. That development focus shapes what the selection panel is looking for in your video self-presentation, your academic record, and your overall application. Applicants who can clearly articulate how a Polish master’s degree will benefit their professional trajectory back home — not just their personal ambitions — are the ones who tend to be most competitive. Results will be announced individually through the NAWA application system by July 31, 2026.
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Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Banach NAWA Program |
| Host Country ⇒ | Poland |
| Study Level ⇒ | Masters |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Monthly stipend of PLN 2,500 + tuition waiver + travel allowance of PLN 2,500 + language preparation support |
| Funded By ⇒ | Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Ukraine, Mexico, Tanzania, Tunisia, Senegal, Angola, Philippines, Georgia, Kazakhstan |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | May 8, 2026 |
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About the Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme
The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) was established on October 1, 2017 to coordinate state activities driving the internationalisation of Polish academic and research institutions. Its mission is to strengthen Poland’s position in the global academic community by supporting student and researcher mobility, international cooperation, and the recognition of Polish higher education worldwide.
The Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme is one of NAWA’s flagship international initiatives, jointly funded by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Named after the renowned Polish mathematician Stefan Banach, the programme aims to support the socio-economic development of eligible developing countries by bringing talented young graduates to Poland for postgraduate education and returning them home as better-equipped professionals and researchers.
The scholarship supports full-time master’s degree programmes at public universities supervised by the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education. Programmes can be taught in either Polish or English, giving applicants from countries where Polish is not widely studied a viable route in through English-language degree options.
Scholarship results will be announced by July 31, 2026, and communicated individually through the NAWA application system to the email address provided during registration. Keep that email address active and monitor it closely during the selection period.
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What the Banach NAWA Programme Covers
Successful applicants receive the following:
- A monthly stipend of PLN 2,500 for the full duration of the master’s programme
- Full tuition fee waiver at a public university in Poland
- A travel allowance of PLN 2,500 to support travel to Poland for the start of studies
- Language preparation support for applicants entering Polish-taught programmes
- The opportunity to study in either English or Polish, depending on the chosen programme
- Exposure to an international academic environment at one of Poland’s public universities
- Access to professional and academic networks across Europe
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Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements:
1. You must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries
Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Ukraine, Mexico, Tanzania, Tunisia, Senegal, Angola, Philippines, Georgia, or Kazakhstan. Citizenship is what matters here, not residency — confirm that your passport matches one of these nationalities.
2. You must not hold Polish citizenship and must not have applied for Polish citizenship at any point.
Dual nationals who hold Polish citizenship alongside an eligible country’s citizenship are not eligible.
3. You must plan to begin your master’s studies in October 2026.
The scholarship is tied specifically to this intake — applicants intending to start later are not eligible for this cycle.
4. You must be applying for full-time second-cycle (master’s) studies or a preparatory course at a public university in Poland.
Part-time programmes are not covered, and private universities are not included under this scholarship.
5. You must have completed a first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree no earlier than 2024
Or be in your final semester and expect to graduate by July 15, 2026. Graduates who completed their bachelor’s degrees before 2024 are not eligible.
6. You must not already hold a master’s degree from any institution.
If you have already completed a second-cycle degree, this scholarship is not available to you.
7. You must not have previously received a NAWA scholarship for second-cycle studies.
Previous NAWA beneficiaries at the master’s level cannot apply again under the same programme.
8. You must submit a video self-presentation of 1 to 3 minutes as part of your application.
The video must address three specific points: your motivation for applying, why you have chosen your specific field of study, and your future plans after completing the programme. This is not a technical requirement to be ticked off — it is a genuine part of the selection assessment. A well-prepared, clear, and specific video that honestly connects your background to your chosen field and to your goals at home will significantly strengthen your application. A vague or poorly prepared video with no clear narrative is one of the most common weaknesses in otherwise competitive applications.
9. Language requirements:
- For applicants to preparatory courses: Polish language proficiency at minimum B1 level
- For Polish-taught master’s programmes: Polish language proficiency at minimum B2 level
- For English-taught master’s programmes: English language proficiency at minimum B2 level
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Required Documents
All documents must be submitted in Polish or English. Prepare the following before beginning your application on the NAWA IT system:
1. Passport data page
A clear scan of the biographical information page of your valid passport. The name on your passport must match the name you register with on the NAWA system exactly.
2. Bachelor’s degree certificate and official transcript
If you have already graduated. If you are still completing your first degree, submit an official certificate from your current university confirming your enrolment and expected graduation date, along with your current academic transcript.
3. Academic transcript with grading information
This should include your full record of grades across all years of your bachelor’s programme, along with your institution’s grading scale, so the committee can assess your academic standing in context. A transcript without a grading scale explanation is common and can create unnecessary ambiguity.
4. Proof of participation in the admission process at a Polish university
The Banach Programme requires that you have already initiated the admission process at a Polish public university before submitting your scholarship application. This document confirms that step. Contact your chosen Polish university’s international admissions office early to understand what documentation they issue as proof of application or admission participation.
5. Language proficiency certificate
Matching the level required for your chosen programme type: B1 or B2 Polish for Polish-language options, or B2 English for English-taught programmes. Make sure your certificate is current and meets the specific level required.
6. Supporting admission documents from the Polish university
Any additional documents issued by or requested by your chosen institution as part of the admission process. Requirements vary by university and programme, so confirm what your specific institution provides and expects.
Documents may only be submitted electronically through the NAWA IT system. No postal submissions are accepted. Check every document for clarity, accuracy, and correct language (Polish or English) before uploading.
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How to Apply
1. Begin the admission process at an eligible Polish public university before applying for the scholarship.
You must have proof of participation in a Polish university’s admission process as part of your scholarship application — without this, your application will be incomplete. Identify your target university and programme early and contact their international office to start this process.
2. Prepare your video self-presentation of 1 to 3 minutes.
Record this before you open the NAWA application form so you have it ready to upload. The video must address your motivation for applying, your reasons for choosing your specific field of study, and your future plans after completing the master’s programme. Record in a quiet, well-lit environment. Speak clearly and directly — the panel is looking for genuine self-reflection and a credible plan, not a polished production.
3. Gather all required documents in Polish or English
Scanned clearly and saved in the formats accepted by the NAWA IT system. Prepare all required documents before you start the online application form. Although the system allows you to save your progress before submission, having every document ready will help you complete the process more efficiently and avoid delays during the upload stage.
4. Visit the official NAWA online application system at the NAWA website
Create your account using an email address you actively monitor. All scholarship correspondence — including your result notification in July — will be sent to this address.
5. Select the appropriate country group based on your nationality when registering on the NAWA system.
Selecting the wrong country group is a procedural error that can affect how your application is processed.
6. Complete the electronic application form fully and accurately.
The application must be completed in Polish or English. Take your time with each section — the form includes your academic background, language proficiency details, chosen programme, and the video self-presentation upload.
7. Upload all required supporting documents
Checking each file after upload to confirm it is legible, complete, and attached to the correct field.
8. Review your entire application before submitting.
Once submitted, you cannot submit a second application — only one application per applicant is accepted. Review every section, every document, and the video upload before you click submit.
9. Submit as early as possible before May 8, 2026.
Country-specific application slots may fill up before the official deadline. There is no benefit to waiting, and there is a real risk to doing so.
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Application Deadline
The Banach NAWA Scholarship Programme 2026 deadline is May 8, 2026.
Applications may close earlier than this date if the maximum number of applications for your country group is reached. Apply as early as possible.
Scholarship results will be announced by July 31, 2026, and communicated through the NAWA application system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Banach NAWA Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees at a Polish public university, pays a monthly stipend of PLN 2,500 throughout the programme, and provides a travel allowance of PLN 2,500 to support your move to Poland. Language preparation support is also included for applicants entering Polish-taught programmes.
Can Nigerian students apply for the Banach NAWA Scholarship?
Yes. Nigeria is one of the eligible countries for this programme. Nigerian applicants must meet all standard eligibility requirements — including holding a bachelor’s degree completed no earlier than 2024 or graduating by July 15, 2026, not holding a previous master’s degree, and meeting the English language proficiency requirement of B2 for English-taught programmes.
Do I need to apply to a Polish university before applying for the scholarship?
Yes. Proof of participation in the admission process at a Polish public university is one of the required documents. You must start the admission process at your chosen institution and obtain the required admission documentation before you can submit your scholarship application. Contact the international admissions office of your target university early to start this process.
What should I include in my video self-presentation?
Your video must cover three specific points: your motivation for applying for the scholarship, why you have chosen your specific field of study, and your plans after completing the master’s programme. Keep it between 1 and 3 minutes, speak clearly in either Polish or English, and make sure the content is specific to your own background and goals rather than generic.
Can I apply if I am still completing my bachelor’s degree?
Yes, but only if you are in your final semester and will graduate by July 15, 2026. You must submit an official certificate from your university confirming your current enrolment and expected graduation date, along with your current academic transcript.
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Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official NAWA website as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official NAWA source before submitting your application.
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