NAWA Banach Scholarship 2026 (Poland): Fully Funded Master’s Degree Opportunity
The NAWA Banach Scholarship 2026 is now open, offering a fully funded Master’s degree opportunity in Poland for students from developing countries.
Funded by the Polish government through the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), this scholarship aims to strengthen education and professional skills for future leaders across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
About the Scholarship
The Banach Programme supports students to:
- Study full-time Master’s (second-cycle) degrees in Poland
- Choose programs taught in English or Polish
- Build skills that contribute to their home country’s development
It is one of Europe’s top government-funded scholarships for developing countries.
Programme Overview
- Level: Master’s (Second-cycle studies)
- Start Date: October 2026
- Study Language: English or Polish
- Optional: 1-year preparatory Polish course
Students must apply both for the scholarship and separately to a Polish university.
What You Will Get (Fully Funded)
The scholarship includes:
- Monthly stipend: PLN 2,500 (~€580)
- Full tuition fee waiver (public universities)
- One-time travel allowance (~PLN 2,500)
- Free preparatory course (if studying in Polish)
- Polish language & culture classes (for English-track students)
Eligibility Criteria (Important)
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible developing country
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree (completed after 2024 or by July 2026)
- Not already hold a Master’s degree
- Meet language requirements:
- English (B2) or
- Polish (B1–B2 depending on track)
Eligible Countries (Key Insight)
The program is open to 36 specific countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
However:
- Nepal is NOT listed in the 2026 eligible countries list
- This is a major limitation for many applicants
(Important: In past years, Nepal had limited participation in related programs, but 2026 eligibility is country-specific and strict.)
Application Process
- Apply online via NAWA system
- Upload required documents
- Submit a short motivation video (1–3 minutes)
- Apply separately to a Polish university
Required documents include:
- Bachelor’s transcript
- Language certificate
- Passport
- Proof of university application
- Video statement
Application Deadline
- Deadline: May 8, 2026 (3:00 PM CET)
- Note: Applications may close earlier if quotas fill
Selection Criteria
Candidates are evaluated based on:
- Academic performance
- Motivation and goals
- Relevance of chosen study field
- Quality of application (including video)
Why This Scholarship Matters
The NAWA Banach Scholarship is valuable because it:
- Offers fully funded study in Europe
- Provides access to top Polish universities
- Focuses on real development impact
- Allows flexibility in choosing fields of study
Important Insight (Critical)
This scholarship is not globally open.
Key limitations:
- Strict country eligibility (Nepal not included in 2026 list)
- Requires recent Bachelor’s degree
- Requires strong academic and language profile
Final Insight
The NAWA Banach Scholarship 2026 is a strong fully funded European opportunity, but it is highly restricted by nationality.
If you are from an eligible country, it is one of the best Master’s scholarships available.
If not, it’s better to focus on fully funded programs that accept Nepal or global applicants.