Poland Scholarships 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students — NAWA, Erasmus & More

Last Updated: April 20, 2026

🕑 9 min read

Last Updated: February 2026 | Author: Saumitra Rajput, Kadamb Overseas | Fact-Checked: Against official NAWA & university sources

Why Poland Offers Some of Europe’s Best Scholarships for Indian Students

Poland has strategically invested in attracting international talent through generous scholarship programs — and Indian students are among the top beneficiaries. Unlike many Western European countries where scholarship funding is extremely competitive, Poland’s government-backed programs specifically target students from developing countries, including India.

At Kadamb Overseas, with 14+ years of experience and 500+ successful students placed in European universities with a 97% visa success rate, we’ve helped dozens of Indian students secure scholarships in Poland covering full tuition, monthly stipends, and even travel costs. This guide provides a complete breakdown of every scholarship available to Indian students in Poland for the 2026-27 academic year.

Poland’s scholarship landscape includes government scholarships (funded by NAWA — the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange), EU-funded programs (Erasmus+), bilateral agreements between India and Poland, university-specific merit awards, and research grants. Combined with Poland’s already low tuition fees (€1,000–€4,000/year for non-medical programs), these scholarships can reduce your total education cost to virtually zero.

Top Government Scholarships for Indian Students

1. Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship Program (NAWA)

This is the most valuable scholarship for Indian students in Poland. Funded by the Polish government through NAWA, it covers:

Component	Coverage	Amount (₹)
Tuition fees	100% waiver	₹0 (saves ₹91,000–₹4,10,000/year)
Monthly stipend	PLN 1,700/month	₹36,400/month (₹4,37,000/year)
Settlement allowance	One-time PLN 500	₹10,700
Duration	Full degree (2 years MSc / 3-4 years PhD)	—

Eligibility for Indian students:

• Citizens of developing countries (India is eligible)
• Applying for Master’s or Doctoral programs at Polish universities
• Programs must be in priority fields: engineering, sciences, agriculture, IT, or European studies
• Maximum age: 30 years (Master’s) or 35 years (PhD)
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.0+ or equivalent
• Strong academic record: minimum 75% in previous degree

Application process: Apply online through NAWA portal → Select university and program → Submit documents → Interview (if shortlisted) → Results announced May–June

Deadline: Usually February–March each year

2. Stefan Banach Scholarship Program (NAWA)

Component	Coverage	Amount (₹)
Tuition fees	100% waiver	₹0
Monthly stipend	PLN 1,700/month	₹36,400/month
Polish language course	Free preparatory course	₹0
Duration	Full Master’s program (2 years)	—

Eligibility:

• Citizens of developing countries in Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, South-East Asia, and Africa (India eligible through bilateral agreements)
• Master’s level programs only
• Fields: STEM, economics, European studies, public administration
• Must not hold a Master’s degree already
• Age limit: 30 years

Deadline: February–April annually

3. Polish Government Bilateral Scholarships

Under the India-Poland bilateral education agreement, a limited number of scholarships are offered each year through the Indian Ministry of Education:

Component	Coverage	Notes
Tuition waiver	100%	At selected public universities
Monthly allowance	PLN 1,350/month (₹28,900)	For living expenses
Accommodation	University dormitory	At reduced or zero cost
Duration	Full degree	Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD
Seats	5-10 per year	Highly competitive

How to apply: Through the Ministry of Education, Government of India portal. Watch for announcements on the education.gov.in website between January and March.

EU-Funded Scholarships Available in Poland

4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)

Several Erasmus Mundus programs include Polish universities as partners. These are among the most prestigious and well-funded scholarships globally:

Component	Coverage for Indian Students (Partner Country)	Amount (₹)
Participation costs (tuition)	€9,000/year	₹8,19,000/year
Monthly living allowance	€1,400/month	₹1,27,000/month
Travel allowance	€3,000/year (from India)	₹2,73,000/year
Installation costs	€1,000 (one-time)	₹91,000
Total value (2-year Master’s)	€53,600	₹48,78,000

Erasmus Mundus programs with Polish universities:

• EuroAquae+ — Water & Environmental Engineering (AGH Kraków + 4 EU universities)
• MathMods — Mathematical Modelling (University of Warsaw + L’Aquila, Hamburg, Nice)
• EMMIR — Migration & Intercultural Relations (University of Oldenburg + Wrocław)
• EMLE — Law & Economics (University of Warsaw + Bologna, Hamburg, Rotterdam)
• EuMIGS — Migration Studies (Adam Mickiewicz University + multiple partners)

Deadline: Most programs accept applications October–January for September intake

5. Visegrad Fund Scholarships

Scholarship Type	Level	Amount	Duration
Visegrad Scholarship	Master’s / PhD	€2,300/semester (₹2,09,000)	1-4 semesters
Intra-Visegrad Scholarship	Master’s / PhD	€2,300/semester (₹2,09,000)	1-2 semesters

Eligibility: Citizens of non-Visegrad countries (including India) studying at V4 universities (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia). Apply through the International Visegrad Fund portal.

Deadline: January–March annually

University-Specific Scholarships & Tuition Waivers

Many Polish universities offer their own merit-based scholarships and fee reductions specifically for international students. Here’s a comprehensive list:

University	Scholarship Name	Discount	Eligibility
University of Warsaw	UW Scholarship for Best International Students	100% tuition waiver	Exceptional academic record (90%+)
Jagiellonian University	JU Excellence Scholarship	50% tuition reduction	GPA 3.5+/4.0, recommendation letters
Kozminski University	Kozminski Scholarship	25-50% tuition	Strong academic performance + motivation letter
Warsaw University of Technology	WUT Merit Award	30% tuition reduction	First-year: based on admission score; continuing: based on GPA
AGH University of Krakow	Rector’s Scholarship	Up to 100% waiver	Outstanding grades each semester (top 5%)
SWPS University	SWPS International Scholarship	20-50% tuition	Academic excellence, 75%+ in previous degree
Wrocław University of Technology	PWr International Talent	30% tuition	Engineering applicants with 80%+ grades
University of Łódź	UŁ Foreign Student Grant	25-50% tuition	Based on entrance exam/interview performance
Cracow University of Economics	CUE Merit Scholarship	40% tuition	First-class grades, extracurricular achievements
Adam Mickiewicz University	AMU Welcome Scholarship	₹45,500 one-time	All admitted international students (first semester)

Research & PhD Funding in Poland

Doctoral students have additional funding avenues in Poland, making it one of Europe’s most affordable destinations for research degrees:

6. NAWA Doctoral School Scholarships

• All PhD students enrolled in Polish Doctoral Schools receive a mandatory stipend of PLN 2,667.70/month (₹57,200/month) for the first 2 years
• After mid-term evaluation: PLN 4,109.70/month (₹88,100/month) for years 3-4
• This is a legal requirement — every doctoral school must pay this stipend
• Tuition: Usually ₹0 for PhD students at public universities
• Total PhD funding over 4 years: ₹35,00,000+

7. NCN Research Grants (for PhD Students)

The National Science Centre (NCN) funds research projects where PhD students work as team members:

Grant Type	For	Monthly Stipend	Duration
PRELUDIUM	PhD students (principal investigator)	PLN 2,500–4,500 (₹53,600–₹96,400)	12-36 months
OPUS (team member)	PhD students on research teams	PLN 3,000–5,000 (₹64,300–₹1,07,200)	24-48 months
SONATA (team member)	Post-doc led, PhD support	PLN 2,500–4,000 (₹53,600–₹85,700)	24-36 months

8. Horizon Europe & Marie Curie Fellowships

• MSCA Doctoral Networks: €3,400/month living allowance + €600 mobility allowance = ₹3,64,000/month total
• Several Polish universities participate as hosts in Marie Curie networks
• Indian citizens are fully eligible as non-EU researchers
• Application through individual project websites — search on EURAXESS

Scholarship Comparison: Poland vs Other European Countries

Feature	Poland (NAWA)	Germany (DAAD)	France (Eiffel)	Hungary (Stipendium)
Tuition coverage	100%	100%	100%	100%
Monthly stipend	₹36,400	₹78,000	₹1,27,000	₹36,400
Travel allowance	No	Yes (₹46,000)	Yes (₹91,000)	No
Health insurance	Yes (included)	Yes (included)	Yes (included)	Yes (included)
Seats for Indians	30-50/year	200+/year	50-80/year	100+/year
Competition level	Medium	Very High	High	Medium
Cost of living	Low (₹30,000/mo)	High (₹65,000/mo)	High (₹75,000/mo)	Low (₹28,000/mo)
Net monthly surplus	₹6,400	₹13,000	₹52,000	₹8,400

How to Apply for Scholarships: Step-by-Step

1. Step 1: Research Deadlines (September–November)
   Most Polish scholarship deadlines fall between January and April. Start researching 6 months early. Bookmark the NAWA portal, individual university scholarship pages, and Erasmus Mundus program websites.
2. Step 2: Prepare Strong SOPs (November–January)
   Your Statement of Purpose is the most critical document. Focus on: why Poland specifically, how your background connects to the program, your research interests, and your career goals. Mention India-Poland connections where relevant.
3. Step 3: Secure Recommendation Letters (December–January)
   Get 2-3 strong academic references. Ask professors who know your work well — generic letters won’t help. Give referees at least 4-6 weeks’ notice.
4. Step 4: Prepare Academic Documents (January)
   Apostilled transcripts, degree certificates, English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL), CV, passport copy. Some scholarships require a research proposal.
5. Step 5: Apply to Multiple Scholarships (February–April)
   Don’t put all eggs in one basket. Apply to 3-5 scholarships simultaneously: 1-2 NAWA programs + 1-2 university scholarships + 1 Erasmus Mundus if eligible.
6. Step 6: Prepare for Interviews (April–May)
   Some scholarships (Łukasiewicz, university awards) have interview rounds. Practice common questions: research motivation, why Poland, career plans, how you’ll contribute to the university.
7. Step 7: Accept Offer & Apply for Visa (May–July)
   Once awarded, confirm your acceptance within the specified deadline. The scholarship letter significantly strengthens your visa application — include it as proof of financial support.

Tips to Maximize Your Scholarship Chances

• Apply early: NAWA scholarships have limited seats — early applications are reviewed first
• Target priority fields: STEM, agriculture, and European studies get more funding in Poland
• Show Poland connection: Explain WHY Poland (not just Europe). Mention Polish research strengths, specific professors, or India-Poland academic partnerships
• Quantify achievements: “Top 5% of class” or “Published 2 papers” is stronger than “good student”
• Match research areas: For PhD scholarships, ensure your proposal aligns with the department’s active research
• Get university admission FIRST: Most scholarships require an admission offer from a Polish university before you can apply for the scholarship
• Check Indian government schemes: MHRD and UGC occasionally offer partial funding for students going to Poland under bilateral agreements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best scholarship for Indian students in Poland?

The Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship (NAWA) is the best option for most Indian students. It covers 100% tuition, provides a monthly stipend of PLN 1,700 (₹36,400), and is specifically designed for students from developing countries including India. For Master’s students in STEM or economics, the Stefan Banach Scholarship offers similar benefits. For PhD students, the mandatory doctoral school stipend (PLN 2,667/month) makes Poland one of Europe’s best-funded research destinations.

Can I get a full scholarship to study medicine in Poland?

Full scholarships for medicine are rare because medical programs are expensive (€11,000–€14,400/year). However, some options exist: the bilateral government scholarship covers medical programs (5-10 seats/year), some medical universities offer 10-25% merit discounts, and the Erasmus+ exchange program can cover 1-2 semesters. Most Indian medical students in Poland self-fund tuition but save significantly compared to private medical colleges in India (₹12L/year vs ₹25-50L/year in India).

When should I start applying for Poland scholarships?

Start preparations 8-10 months before the deadline. For September 2026 intake: begin research in September 2025, prepare SOPs and documents by December 2025, apply January–March 2026, interviews April–May 2026, results by June 2026. Early preparation is critical because you need university admission before applying for most scholarships.

Do I need IELTS for Poland scholarship applications?

Most NAWA scholarships require IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+. However, some university-specific scholarships accept English-medium school certificates as proof of proficiency. Erasmus Mundus programs typically require IELTS 6.5+. Higher English scores (IELTS 7.0+) strengthen your overall scholarship application, even if the minimum requirement is lower.

Can I work while on a scholarship in Poland?

Yes, scholarship holders can work part-time in Poland. International students are allowed to work during their studies. However, most scholarship agreements recommend focusing on academics. The PLN 1,700/month stipend from NAWA scholarships is sufficient for comfortable living in most Polish cities (monthly expenses average PLN 1,400–2,000).

How competitive are Poland scholarships for Indian students?

Competition varies by scholarship: NAWA Łukasiewicz has a 15-20% acceptance rate (medium competition), university merit scholarships range from 10-40% acceptance (varies widely), Erasmus Mundus is highly competitive (5-8% acceptance), and bilateral scholarships are very competitive (5-10 seats for all Indian applicants). Overall, Poland scholarships are less competitive than DAAD (Germany) or Chevening (UK) but require strong applications.

What happens if I lose my scholarship after enrollment?

Most scholarships have academic performance requirements. NAWA scholarships require maintaining satisfactory academic progress (passing all exams). University merit scholarships typically require a minimum GPA each semester — dropping below the threshold means reduced or lost funding. If you lose a scholarship, you must self-fund tuition (€1,000–€4,000/year for non-medical programs) or apply for other financial aid. Always check the specific terms of your scholarship agreement.