Based on Article 19 section 1 of the Act on the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange of 7 July 2017, the Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange announces the call for proposals for participation in the Polonista – scholarship and fellowship Programme (hereinafter "the Programme").

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR STUDENTS AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS

The objective of the Programme is to promote Polish language in the world by enabling foreigners interested in Polish language and Polish culture to study or carry out research projects in Poland. The Programme is addressed to students and doctoral students of Polish philology, Polish studies or Polish programs implemented among others as part of Slavic studies (in the field of Polish language, Polish culture and knowledge about Poland) as well as to scientists from foreign universities and scientific institutions.

Deadline for submitting the application

The call for proposals shall be conducted until 28 April 2023, 15:00:00 local time (Warsaw)

Form of submitting the application

Only in electronic form in the Agency's ICT system, //FILL IN THE APPLICATION //

Language of the application

The application should be drafted in Polish

The maximum number of applications which may be submitted by the Applicant

Maximum 1 application

Students (including laureates and finalists of the Olympiad of Polish Literature and Language (OPLL) organized outside Poland) and doctoral students - NAWA scholarship holders, may, during their stay at a university in Poland, develop their Polish philology interests by participating in lectures and classes in accordance with the curriculum of selected studies, conducting research, carrying out research projects, collecting materials for a diploma or research thesis, improving Polish language skills, using the resources of the university’s libraries and archives.

Under the Programme, the following types of studies may be implemented: partial (one or two semesters) studies or full first, second and third-cycle studies (doctoral studies). The Applicants shall choose the university where they plan to study by themselves. The field of studies chosen by the Applicant should be consistent with the curriculum of the studies at the home university and with the assumptions of the POLONISTA Programme. The Applicant has to obtain the consent of the host university to undertake the studies and, in the case of candidates for full studies, successfully complete the recruitment procedure at the selected university.

The language of studies is Polish.                                               

Applicants meeting the following criteria shall be eligible to apply for the scholarship of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange:

1.             Students (candidates for one-semester or two-semester studies) who:

1)             are students of Polish philology, Polish studies or Polish programs implemented, inter alia, as part of first and second-cycle Slavic studies in foreign academic centres and have completed at least one year of the studies at the time of submitting the application;

2)             have command of Polish language at least at B1 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);

3)             have obtained the consent of the home university to study in Poland;

4)             have obtained the consent of the selected Polish university to complete one-semester or two-semester studies at that university;

5)             are foreigners (they do not have Polish citizenship and have not submitted the application for granting Polish citizenship) or have dual citizenship (Polish and another country's citizenship) and have completed their secondary education outside Poland

6)             are not studying in Poland in the 2022/2023 academic year;

or

2.             Students (candidates for full second-cycle studies) who:

1)             are students of the last year of Polish philology, Polish studies or Polish programs implemented, inter alia, as part of first-cycle Slavic studies at a foreign university or have completed such studies (not earlier than two years before the ongoing call) or are laureates or finalists of OPLL and students of the last year of first-cycle Polish philology studies or Polish studies in Poland or have completed such studies (not earlier than two years before the ongoing call);

2)             are not second-cycle students at the time of applying for participation in the Programme and have not previously obtained a diploma of completion of Master's studies (second-cycle or uniform Master's studies);

3)             have command of the Polish language at least at B1 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);

4)      are foreigners (they do not have Polish citizenship and have not submitted the application for granting it) or have dual citizenship (Polish and another country's citizenship) and have completed their secondary education outside Poland

or

3.             OPLL finalists (candidates for full first-cycle studies):

1)             obtained the title of OPLL laureate or finalist in the current school year or within the two years preceding the year of submitting the application under the Programme,

2)             plan to undertake full first-cycle studies at a selected university in Poland,

3)             are not undergraduate students at the time of application for the Programme and have not previously obtained a degree in Poland

4)             are foreigners (they do not have Polish citizenship and have not submitted an application for granting Polish citizenship) or have dual citizenship (Polish and another country's citizenship) and have completed their secondary education outside Poland

or

4.             Doctoral students:

1)             have completed (or are completing second-cycle studies in the current academic year) Polish philology studies, Polish studies or Polish programs (including Slavic studies) within second-cycle studies at a foreign university or research institution (no earlier than within two years before the ongoing call) and intend to undertake full third-cycle studies in Poland;

2)             are attending third-cycle studies at a foreign university or research institution and intend to undertake partial (one-semester or two-semester) studies in Poland

3)             have command of the Polish language at least at B2 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);

4)             are foreigners (they do not have Polish citizenship and have not submitted an application for granting Polish citizenship) or have dual citizenship (Polish and another country's citizenship) .

Applicants applying for the scholarship for full first, second and third-cycle studies shall take part in the recruitment process for the studies or the doctoral school at the university of their choice. The universities in Poland apply the system of electronic registration of candidates. Persons applying for studies under the terms applicable for scholarship holders should register in the university's internet systems within the time limits required by them and on the terms provided for foreigners. The final decisions on admitting Applicants to the studies shall be made by the universities. NAWA shall not refund the registration fees.

Date of commencement and length of the studies

Start - not earlier than on 1 October 2023

End - according to the Application and the studies regulations - from 1 to 8 semesters

List of attachments to the application

The following documents have to be attached to the application:

1.         Students of foreign universities applying for the scholarship for one-semester or two-semester studies:

1)             cover letter in Polish including, inter alia, description of the applicant’s interests, substantiation for the choice of the host university in Poland, outline of the bachelor's or master's thesis or a research project, description of the expected impact of the student’s stay in Poland on his/her further academic development;

2)             curriculum of studies in Poland approved (stamp and signature of the authorized person) by the host university (the curriculum should be prepared in consultation with the tutors from the home university and the host university as well as take into account the individual needs of the applicant);

3)             consent of the home university for studying in Poland;

4)             certificate from the home university confirming the student's status issued not earlier than 30 days before the call for proposals opening date;

5)             transcript (list of grades) from the last completed academic year;

6)             opinion of the academic teacher (tutor/supervisor) from the home university (maximum 2 documents);

7)             certificate from the host university (Attachment 1), containing:

a)             consent to complete one-semester or two-semester studies;

b)             point score of the students learning results;

c)             language proficiency assessment;

d)             contact details of the tutor from the host university;

8)             scan of the document confirming citizenship, e.g. passport;

9)             documents confirming the Applicant's special achievements (as optional attachments);

10)  in the case of persons with dual citizenship, a document confirming the completion of secondary education outside Poland.

2.         Students or graduates of first-cycle studies at foreign universities applying for the scholarship for full second-cycle studies:

1)             cover letter in Polish including, inter alia, description of the applicant’s interests, substantiation for the choice of the host university in Poland, outline of the bachelor's or master's thesis or a research project, description of the expected impact of the student’s stay in Poland on his/her further academic development;

2)             certificate from the home university confirming the student's status (the certificate should contain information about the planned date of completing the first-cycle studies and information on the learning results obtained during the first-cycle studies according to the following scale: excellent, very good, good, average, unsatisfactory) or first-cycle studies completion diploma (together with a supplement);

3)             opinion of the academic teacher (tutor/supervisor) from the home university (maximum 2 documents);

4)             scan of the document confirming citizenship, e.g. passport;

5)             documents confirming the Applicant's special achievements (as optional attachments)

6)      in the case of persons with dual citizenship, a document confirming the completion of secondary education outside Poland.

PLEASE NOTE! This category of Applicants also includes OPLL laureates and finalists who are students of the last year of first-cycle Polish philology studies in Poland (or who are graduates of such studies) and applying for the scholarship for second-cycle studies. In order to obtain points for participation in OPLL, a certificate confirming obtaining the title of laureate or finalist issued by the Main Committee of OPLL should be attached to the application.

3.         OPLL laureates and finalists applying for the scholarship for full first-cycle studies:

1)             cover letter in Polish including, inter alia, description of the applicant’s interests, substantiation for the choice of the host university in Poland, description of the expected impact of the student’s stay in Poland on his/her further academic development;

2)             certificate confirming obtaining the title of laureate or finalist, issued by the Main Committee of OPLL;

3)             certificate of the Main Committee of OPLL containing information on the number of points obtained in the OPLL final; *

4)             scan of the document confirming citizenship, e.g. passport;

5)             documents confirming other special achievements of the Applicant (as optional attachments)

6)             in the case of persons with dual citizenship, a document confirming the completion of secondary education outside Poland.

* 2020 OPLL finalists shall submit a certificate containing information about their rank obtained during the second-level competition.

4.         Doctoral students:

1)             cover letter in Polish, including, inter alia, description of Applicant’s interests, justification for the choice of the host university (or other scientific institution running a doctoral school) in Poland, description of the expected impact of the stay in Poland on the further academic and scientific development;

2)             CV containing, among others, information on education, the course of studies and research work to date, completed projects, internships, awards, additional research activities (membership in scientific societies and organizations) - no more than 3 pages (page size — A4, font size — at least 11 points);

3)             scan of the second-cycle graduation diploma (or a certificate of completing the last year of second-cycle studies) from the foreign home university or a scan of a certificate from a foreign home university or research institution that confirms attending third-cycle studies; the certificates must be issued no earlier than 30 days before the call for proposals opening date

4)             description of the research project which the Applicant intends to implement under the Programme;

5)             list of publications — max 10 publications not older than from the last 5 years (counted starting from the beginning of 2019);

6)             opinion of the tutor or supervisor about the Applicant and the planned research project;

7)             certificate from the host university (Attachment 1) containing: consent to complete one-semester or two-semester studies, language proficiency assessment, contact details of the tutor from the host university (applies to Applicants applying for the scholarship for one-semester or two-semester studies);

8)             scan of the document confirming citizenship, e.g. passport;

9)             documents confirming other special achievements of the Applicant (as optional attachments).

PLEASE NOTE!

Attachments in a language other than Polish or English have to be translated into Polish or English (a sworn translation as well as a translation certified by a Polish diplomatic mission, home university or host university shall be allowed).

When attaching a scan of a document, one shall be required to cover a photo, and attaching a document with a visible photo shall mean the consent for the processing of personal data in this regard.

General assumptions

Applications shall be subject to formal and substantive assessment.

Formal assessment

The purpose of the formal assessment shall be to verify the applications in terms of meeting the formal criteria set out in this Announcement and in the Regulations of the NAWA Programmes for natural persons taking up education

Substantive assessment

The objective of the substantive assessment shall be to verify the applications in terms of meeting the quality criteria indicated in this Announcement.

Criterion

Maximum score

1.

Goals set by the Applicant and methods of their implementation, including:

- scientific interests,

- substantive coherence of the curriculum of the studies in Poland,

- justification for the selection of the host university,

- subject of the planned bachelor's, master's thesis or research project,

-expected impact of the studies in Poland on the Applicant’s further academic development

0-50

2.

Opinion of the tutor / supervisor from the home or host university (the opinion should include, inter alia, assessment of the Applicant's achievements, assessment of his/her potential, assessment of the curriculum of his/her studies in Poland and the benefits obtained by him/her from the stay in Poland)

0-10

3.

Learning results

0-20*

4.

Special achievements (e.g. scientific achievements, publications, awards, involvement in activities promoting Polish language and culture)

0-20**

SUM

100

Criterion

Maximum score

1.

Number of points obtained in the OPLL final *

0-60

2.

OPLL laureate | finalist title

20 | 15

3.

Special achievements (other than participation in OPLL)

0-20

SUM

100

Criterion

Maximum score

1.

Place taken by the finalist in the OPLL second-level competition*

0-60

2.

OPLL finalist title

20

3.

Special achievements (other than participation in OPLL)

0-20

SUM

100

Criterion

Maximum score

1.

Objectives set by the Applicant and methods of their implementation, including:

- scientific interests,

- research project and the subject of the planned doctoral thesis,

- scientific value and innovation of the project, proposed research or teaching methods, planned results, adequacy of the project duration to the planned activities,

- substantiation of the selection of the host university,

0-45

2.

 The course of the Applicant's research or academic activity to date, including:

- learning results,

- special achievements (e.g. scientific achievements, publications, awards, involvement in activities promoting Polish language and culture),

0-30

3.

The impact of participation in the Programme on further scientific / academic development of the Applicant and on the development of the scientific field/discipline in which the project is planned to be implemented

0-15

4.

Opinion of the tutor / supervisor from the home university or the host university

0-10

SUM

100

1.             NAWA scholarship shall be granted for a maximum of 10 months within academic year in the case of first- and second-cycle studies and a maximum of 12 months within academic year for third-cycle studies.

2.             For scholarship holders who intend to pursue a full cycle of studies in Poland, the NAWA scholarship shall be awarded for the number of semesters specified in the regulations of studies.

3.             The NAWA scholarship shall be disbursed through the university.

4.             The NAWA scholarship shall be awarded in the amount of:

1)             PLN 1,500 per month for first and  second-cycle students,

2)             PLN 2,200 per month for doctoral students.

5.             In addition, scholarship holders who has received the scholarship for full first or second-cycle studies shall receive:

1)             in the first year of studies, the first monthly scholarship increased by the amount of PLN 500 intended to cover the costs of settlement in Poland (not applicable to persons who continue their studies in Poland);

2)             in the last year of studies, the last monthly scholarship increased by the amount of PLN 500 intended to cover the costs related to the preparation of the diploma thesis.

The total allocation for the call for proposals amounts to PLN 800 thousand, however the Agency reserves the right to change the allocation of funds.

The Scholarship Holder is obliged to submit to the host university the Decision of the Agency’s Director within 30 days from the date of its delivery to the Applicant.

The Scholarship Holder is obliged to submit to the Agency within 14 days from the date of admission to the studies a certificate issued by the host university confirming admission to the studies in a specified field and indicating the period of studies’ implementation.

Reporting:

1.             The Scholarship Holder pursuing partial (one semester or two semester) studies is obliged to submit the Final Report (Attachment 6) summarizing his/her stay at the host University along with the studies’ course record (issued by the host university) and the opinion of the tutor from the host university, within 30 days from the date of completion of the studies in Poland.

2.             The Scholarship Holder pursuing full first, second or third-cycle studies is obliged to submit Interim Reports along with the studies’ course record and a certificate of admission to the next year of studies by 15 October each year of the studies.

Submission of the Interim Report (Attachment 5) with the required attachments shall constitute a precondition for the disbursement of the scholarship in the following academic year.

After completion of the studies, the Scholarship Holder shall be obliged to submit the Final Report (Attachment 6) along with a scan of the graduation diploma or a certificate from the host University confirming completion of the studies (within 30 days from the date of graduation).

30 June 2023

National funds