Last Updated: April 20, 2026
Table of Contents
- Why Poland Offers Some of Europe's Best Scholarships for Indian Students
- Top Government Scholarships for Indian Students
- EU-Funded Scholarships Available in Poland
- University-Specific Scholarships & Tuition Waivers
- Research & PhD Funding in Poland
- Scholarship Comparison: Poland vs Other European Countries
- How to Apply for Scholarships: Step-by-Step
- Tips to Maximize Your Scholarship Chances
- Frequently Asked Questions
🕑 9 min read
Last Updated: February 2026 | Author: Saumitra Rajput, Kadamb Overseas | Fact-Checked: Against official NAWA & university sources
💰 Quick Facts — Scholarships in Poland for Indian Students
- Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship: Full tuition + ₹78,000/month stipend for Indian students
- Stefan Banach Scholarship (NAWA): Complete Master’s funding including living allowance
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: Up to ₹18,20,000/year for programs hosted in Poland
- University merit scholarships: 20–100% tuition reduction based on grades
- Application window: January–April for most government scholarships
- No Polish language needed: All major scholarships cover English-taught programs
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
🎯 Need Help Applying for Poland Scholarships?
Kadamb Overseas has helped Indian students secure scholarships worth ₹15+ lakhs. Get expert guidance on applications, SOPs, and documentation!
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 |
💡 Expert Insight from Saumitra Rajput, Kadamb Overseas:
“Many Indian students don’t realize that Poland offers guaranteed PhD stipends — it’s written into Polish law. Every doctoral school student receives PLN 2,667/month minimum, with no separate application needed. Combined with zero tuition at public universities, this makes Poland one of the best-funded PhD destinations in Europe. For Master’s students, the Ignacy Łukasiewicz scholarship is your best bet — it’s specifically designed for developing countries and India is a priority nation. I always tell students to apply to both NAWA scholarships AND university-specific awards simultaneously to maximize their chances.”
How to Apply for Scholarships: Step-by-Step
- 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. - 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. - 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. - Step 4: Prepare Academic Documents (January)
Apostilled transcripts, degree certificates, English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL), CV, passport copy. Some scholarships require a research proposal. - 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. - 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. - 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.
📋 Get Expert Help With Your Scholarship Application
Kadamb Overseas provides free SOP review, application guidance, and interview preparation for Poland scholarship applicants!
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
🌟 Student Success Story
Priya Sharma, from Delhi, India
“I never thought I could afford to study in Europe until I discovered Poland’s scholarship programs. With Kadamb Overseas’s help, I applied for the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship for my Master’s in Environmental Engineering at AGH University in Kraków. My SOP was rewritten three times with their guidance, and they even conducted a mock interview. I got the full scholarship — tuition waiver plus ₹36,400/month stipend. Living in Kraków costs me about ₹30,000/month, so I actually save money every month while earning a world-class European degree!”
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.
🚀 Apply for Poland Scholarships with Expert Support
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Saumitra Rajput
Saumitra Rajput is the founder of Kadamb Overseas Pvt. Ltd., India's leading Europe-focused study abroad consultancy based in Ahmedabad. With 14+ years of expertise in European education, he has personally counselled 2,500+ Indian families and helped 500+ students secure admission to top European universities including TU Munich, ETH Zurich, EPFL, KU Leuven, HEC Paris, Sapienza Rome, TU Wien, and Warsaw University of Technology. He has visited 25+ European universities, partners with 250+ EU institutions, and maintains a 97% visa success rate.
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Saumitra Rajput
Saumitra Rajput is the founder and lead counsellor at Kadamb Overseas, India's trusted Europe education consultancy based in Ahmedabad. With 14+ years of hands-on experience, he has personally guided 500+ students to universities across Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, and Spain. Saumitra has visited partner universities across Europe, holds deep expertise in European visa processes, scholarships, and student life, and has achieved a 97% visa success rate for his clients. He is the host of the YouTube channel "Europe with Saumitra", where he shares first-hand insights on studying and living in Europe. His mission: make Europe accessible to every Indian student, with zero consultancy fees.
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