Scholarships·Europe· 8 min read

NAWA and Banach Scholarships for Studying in Poland

How Poland's NAWA scholarships work, focusing on the Stefan Banach Programme for master's students from developing countries: eligibility, coverage, language options and how to apply.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Run by: NAWA — Poland's National Agency for Academic Exchange
Flagship scheme: Stefan Banach Programme (master's/second-cycle)
For: Citizens of developing countries covered by Polish Aid (incl. Asia)
Study language: Polish or English, depending on the programme
Typically covers: Stipend, tuition exemption, travel allowance, prep/language course
Amounts & deadlines: Set each cycle — verify on the official NAWA call

What NAWA is and where Banach fits

NAWA — the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange — runs several scholarship and mobility programmes that bring international students and researchers to Poland. It is the official Polish government body for academic exchange, and its programmes are published on nawa.gov.pl.

Within NAWA, the Stefan Banach Programme is the flagship route for international master's students. It is aimed at supporting the education of citizens from developing countries by funding full second-cycle (master's) studies at Polish universities.

Because NAWA runs different schemes with different rules, always confirm which programme fits your level and background, and read the current official call. Everything below focuses on Banach as the main master's-level opportunity relevant to many Indian and other non-EU applicants.

NAWA is Poland's official National Agency for Academic Exchange
The Stefan Banach Programme is NAWA's flagship master's-level scholarship
Banach supports full second-cycle (master's) studies at Polish universities
Confirm which NAWA scheme matches your level in the current official call

Who the Banach Programme is for

The Banach Programme targets citizens of a defined set of developing countries — the group of countries covered by Polish Aid, spanning Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Asian countries are explicitly within scope, which is why it is relevant to applicants from the region.

The eligible-country list is set officially and can be updated for each call, so the single most important first step is to check whether your nationality is on the current list. Do not assume eligibility from an unofficial summary.

Selection is based on academic merit and the programme's published criteria — never on faith, community or any personal background. Confirm your nationality's eligibility and the exact conditions in the official NAWA call for the cycle you are applying to.

For citizens of developing countries covered by Polish Aid (incl. Asian countries)
The eligible-country list is set officially and can change each call
Selection is on academic merit and published criteria — secular eligibility
First step: confirm your nationality is on the current official list

What Banach typically covers

The Banach Programme is designed to make a master's in Poland affordable. It commonly includes a monthly scholarship (stipend), exemption from tuition fees at public universities, a travel allowance, and — for the Polish-language track — a funded preparatory course. English-track students typically receive a Polish language and culture component instead.

The precise stipend and allowance amounts are set by NAWA each cycle, so this guide does not quote fixed figures. Check the current call on nawa.gov.pl for the exact numbers before you budget.

Even with a scholarship, plan for personal costs such as your visa, insurance and day-to-day living, which vary by city. Amounts and coverage described here are general information, not financial advice.

Monthly stipend, tuition-fee exemption at public universities, and a travel allowance
Funded preparatory course (Polish track) or a Polish language and culture component (English track)
Exact amounts are set each cycle — verify on the official NAWA call
Budget separately for visa, insurance and living costs

Study language and academic requirements

Banach studies can be pursued in Polish or English, depending on the programme and track you choose. Each track has its own language expectation: an English-taught programme requires you to demonstrate English proficiency, while a Polish-track option involves reaching the required Polish level, often via the funded preparatory year.

You also need to have completed your first-cycle (bachelor's) studies within the recency window that the current call sets, and to meet the academic entry requirements of the master's programme you apply to.

The exact language thresholds, the bachelor's-completion window and the required documents are published in the official call and can change between cycles. Read the current NAWA call carefully and prepare your language evidence early.

Study in Polish or English, depending on the programme and track
English track: show English proficiency; Polish track: reach the required Polish level (often via the prep year)
You must hold a recent bachelor's degree within the call's window
Language thresholds and documents are set officially each cycle — verify

How to apply

Applications for NAWA programmes, including Banach, are submitted electronically through the official NAWA online system linked from nawa.gov.pl. You register, complete the application, and upload the required documents — which commonly include your bachelor's diploma or proof of study, transcripts, a self-presentation, and language evidence.

The call has a firm deadline, and for some programmes places can fill by country group before the final date, so applying early is genuinely important. Follow the official call's document checklist exactly, because incomplete submissions are a frequent reason for rejection.

All the specifics — the portal link, the deadline, the document list and the number of programme choices — are set for each cycle. Confirm them on the official NAWA call and apply only through the official system.

Apply electronically via the official NAWA online system on nawa.gov.pl
Typical documents: bachelor's diploma/proof of study, transcripts, self-presentation, language evidence
Deadlines are firm and some country groups can fill early — apply early
Follow the official checklist exactly; apply only through official channels

Staying safe and realistic

NAWA scholarships are competitive. No one can guarantee you an award, and a legitimate scholarship is never bought. If anyone offers guaranteed selection or asks for payment to "arrange" a NAWA or Banach scholarship, treat it as a scam.

Use only the official NAWA portal and the current call. Keep records of everything you submit, and never share money or documents with a third party promising to fix the outcome.

Apply to programmes that genuinely match your background and goals. A complete, well-matched application through the official route is the only honest way to compete — and it is also the strongest.

Scholarships are competitive — no guaranteed selection
A scholarship is never bought — beware pay-to-secure offers
Use only the official NAWA portal and current call
Apply to well-matched programmes with a complete application

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between NAWA and the Banach Programme?

NAWA is Poland's National Agency for Academic Exchange, which runs several scholarship programmes. The Stefan Banach Programme is NAWA's flagship scheme for international master's (second-cycle) students from developing countries. Check nawa.gov.pl for the full list of NAWA schemes.

Can Indian and other Asian students apply for Banach?

The Banach Programme targets citizens of developing countries covered by Polish Aid, and Asian countries are within scope. The eligible-country list is set officially and can change each call, so confirm your nationality is on the current list before applying.

What level of study does Banach fund?

Banach funds full second-cycle (master's) studies at Polish universities. You generally need a recent bachelor's degree within the window set by the current call and must meet the master's programme's entry requirements.

Can I study in English, or do I need Polish?

You can study in Polish or English depending on the programme. English-track students show English proficiency; Polish-track students reach the required Polish level, often through a funded preparatory year. Check the exact thresholds in the official NAWA call.

What does the scholarship cover?

It commonly includes a monthly stipend, exemption from tuition at public universities, a travel allowance, and a preparatory course or language component. Exact amounts are set each cycle, so verify the current figures on nawa.gov.pl rather than relying on quoted numbers.

Is it safe — can anyone guarantee the scholarship?

No one can guarantee a NAWA or Banach scholarship; it is competitive and merit-based, and a scholarship is never bought. Apply only through the official NAWA portal and treat any guaranteed-selection or pay-to-secure offer as a scam.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: NAWA — Banach Scholarship Programme (official); study.gov.pl — Stefan Banach NAWA Programme; NAWA — National Agency for Academic Exchange (home).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.