The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange has announced a new call for applications under the Welcome to Poland 2026 programme, aimed at strengthening the internationalisation of Polish higher education and research institutions. The programme supports the development of institutional capacity to welcome and professionally serve international students, doctoral candidates, researchers and academic staff.

Within the programme, projects may receive funding for activities such as improving staff competences in working with international audiences, developing infrastructure and support points for international academic mobility, and strengthening institutions’ information and promotional activities at the international level.

Activities may include, among others, establishing or developing Welcome Centres, organising training sessions and workshops for university staff, developing digital tools that support international mobility services, as well as initiatives that foster openness and intercultural competences within the academic community.

The programme is addressed to entities operating within the Polish higher education and science system. Each institution may submit one application in the call.

Budget and project implementation

More than PLN 12.6 million from the European Funds for Social Development (FERS) has been allocated to the programme.

The value of a single project may range from PLN 300,000 to PLN 550,000, and the implementation period may be 12, 18 or 24 months.

Selected projects may start no earlier than 1 December 2026.

Application deadline

Applications can be submitted until 12 May 2026, 15:00 (Warsaw local time) via NAWA’s ICT system.

More information about the call: https://nawa.gov.pl/instytucje/welcome-to-poland/ogloszenie