Deadline: March 16, 2020, 3 pm Central European Time (Warsaw local time)
Pursuant to Article 19(1) of the Act of 7 July 2017 on the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 1582) Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange announces call for applications to the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship Programme – master studies.
Scholarships will be granted from the academic year 2020/21.
The Programme includes an obligatory monthly preparation course on scholarship conditions,
preceding studies in Poland. The purpose of the course is to improve the students’ command of Polish language and culture, and their knowledge in the area of their future fields of study.
Studies under the Programme may be delivered in Polish or in another language. Decisions on the
admission of candidates are made by the HEIs.
Aim of the Programme:
The Programme aim is to support the socio-economic growth of developing countries (excluding European and Central Asian countries) through raising the level of knowledge and education of their citizens. The scholarship offer is addressed to foreigners, given to nationals of the following countries indicated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Angola, Ethiopia, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, Lebanon, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam; also to other countries covered by Official Development Assistance, with the exception of developing countries of Europe and Central Asia (the list of countries whose citizens may apply for a scholarship under the Programme is attached as Appendix no. 1 to these Regulations).
The scholarships available under the Programme will be allocated as per the following proportions: 80% of the total to Applicants from priority countries, 20% of the total to Applicants from other countries
Scope of activities implemented under the Programme:
Participation in the Programme enable to undertake studies at universities in Poland and other form of education (preparatory course preceding studies). NAWA Director’s scholarship is granted for the duration of the preparatory course and for the regulatory period of studies with an exemption from education fees at public universities. A monthly maintenance scholarship from the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange to cover the costs of accommodation and living. The scholarship is paid for a maximum of 12 months in the academic year once a month through the higher education institution.
Eligibilities:
Foreigners who meet all the criteria listed below at the time of call for applications may apply forthe NAWA scholarship for second-cycle studies in Poland under the Programme. Candidates must:
- be citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Ethiopia, Philippines, India,Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, Lebanon, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam or other countries covered by Official Development Assistance (ODA), with the exception of developing countries of Europe and Central Asia. The list of countries whose citizens may apply for a scholarship under the Programme is attached as Appendix no. 1 to these Regulations.
- not be Polish citizens and must not have applied for Polish citizenship;
- plan to commence second-cycle studies or a preparatory course in the academic year 2020/21;
- be students of the last year of first-cycle studies in the fields of engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences and life sciences at the time of submitting the application to the Programme or have obtained a diploma of completion of first-cycle studies in the above-mentioned fields not earlier than in 2017;
- not have previously obtained a Master’s degree (second-cycle or uniform Master’s studies). If the two-cycle studies system is not universally in place in the country in which the student has obtained her or his first-cycle studies diploma, it is admissible to accept Applicants who hold a Master’s or equivalent diploma obtained no earlier than in 2017, as well as Applicants who are students of the last year of these studies, conducted in the fields of engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences and life sciences.
- not have previously been granted a scholarship under the Programme;
- speak English at least at the B2 level.
Scholarship:
The Scholarship amounts are:
- PLN 1,700 a month throughout the preparation course (at which point the Scholarship Beneficiary does not have the status of a student and thus student discounts, such as those applicable to public transportation, are not available to her or him).
- PLN 1,500 a month for students of second-cycle studies. The scholarship is paid out throughout a maximum of 12 months in the academic year, starting from the first month of classes at the preparation course and at the HEI. If the study period commences or ends in the winter semester, the scholarship is paid out for a maximum of 5 months in this semester.
Throughout the course of studies, Scholarship Beneficiaries also receive:
1) in the first year of studies, an increment of PLN 500 in the first month of studies for the purpose of covering costs of settling in Poland – this does not apply to students who have completed first-cycle studies in Poland;
2) in the last year of studies, an increment of PLN 500 in the last month of studies for the purpose of covering costs of the diploma thesis preparation.
4. If a documented unexpected event occurs, the Director may, at the Scholarship Beneficiary’s written request, allow for a one-off increment of PLN 500 of the scholarship amount for the purpose of covering the costs associated with this event. This part of the scholarship is paid out by NAWA into the Scholarship Beneficiary’s individual account.
How to apply:
The following must accompany the application:
1) a scan of the Applicant’s valid passport page with the Applicant’s personal information, confirming the Applicant’s nationality;
2) an outline of the planned Master’s thesis in the field of engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences or life sciences – specifying the topic and the research method. The description must be entered in the form available in the NAWA system;
3) scan of the diploma of completion of first-cycle studies in the fields of engineering and technical sciences, agricultural sciences, exact sciences or life sciences, along with the supplement (transcript of subjects taken) and the GPA, conferred no earlier than in 2017.
a) In the case of Applicants whose supplement does not specify the GPA achieved throughout first-cycle studies – a document issued by the HEI stating this GPA, bearing a university seal.
b) In the case of Applicants who are students of the last year of first-cycle studies – a scan of a document issued by the student’s HEI, confirming her or his GPA as at the date of application, along with information on the planned completion date of studies.
c) In the case of absence of a diploma or Applicants who at the time of submitting the application do not yet have a diploma of completion of first-cycle studies – a scan of a document issued by the HEI confirming that the Applicant has completed first-cycle studies, along with the GPA achieved in first-cycle studies (no earlier than in 2017).
d) If a two-cycle system of studies is not in place in the Applicant’s country of origin – a scan of the diploma of completion of Master’s degree or equivalent, obtained no earlier than in 2017 along with a supplement or a document issued by the HEI indicating the GPA from the entire course of studies. In the case of Applicants who are students of the last year of these studies – a scan of a document issued by the HEI indicating the GPA from the entire course of studies, bearing the HEI seal;
4) Applicant’s declaration of not having previously completed Master’s degree studies (second-cycle or uniform studies) – does not apply to Applicants who received their diploma of completion of first-cycle studies in a country where the two-cycle system of studies in not in place;
5) a scan of a certificate confirming knowledge of English at least at B2 level.
