19.09.2024
What scholarships are available for PhD students in Poland?
PhD students are a crucial part of the academic and research world. Their contributions to the advancement of knowledge are essential for the development of both Poland and the global community. Fortunately, there are many different forms of financial support available to help young researchers achieve their ambitious goals. Our portal, Moje Stypendium, focuses, amongst other things, on finding scholarships and competitions for PhD students. Below, we provide an overview of the scholarships available to PhD students in Poland. It’s an important topic, especially in cotext of financial problems of students studying in Poland!
International Scholarships for PhD Students
One key aspect of MojeStypendium.pl is finding international scholarship programs for Polish students, many of which are directed towards PhD candidates. This is particularly noticeable in our recent September listing. Autumn is a peak time for such scholarships, so it’s worth regularly checking our database for international opportunities. Through these scholarships, you can continue your research projects, build valuable international connections, participate in prestigious conferences and workshops, and gain experience that could be key to your future academic career.
PhD Scholarship at Doctoral Schools
Since 2019, Poland has implemented doctoral schools, replacing previous doctoral studies. This means that every PhD student accepted into a doctoral school is entitled to a scholarship. The scholarship is granted for a four-year period, and its amount depends on the stage of study:
- In the first two years, the student receives a scholarship worth 37% of the average national salary.
- After a mid-term evaluation, which determines if they can continue their studies, the amount increases to 57% of the average salary.
Notably, this PhD scholarship is tax-exempt, meaning students receive the full amount.
However, PhD students employed by their university as assistants or researchers are not eligible for this scholarship unless the employment is tied to participation in a research grant. After passing the mid-term evaluation, students working as assistants can receive a scholarship, but it will be limited to 40% of the regular monthly amount. Additionally, students with disabilities can receive a 30% increase in their scholarship. PhD students can also apply for scholarships offered by private companies, NGOs, or local governments—all of which can be found in our database!
Pro-Quality PhD Scholarships
Pro-quality scholarships are additional financial support for PhD students who achieve particularly high academic and research results. This type of scholarship is awarded based on an evaluation of academic and research achievements, as well as progress in ongoing research. The amount is determined individually by each university and comes from ministerial funding.
Research and Scientific Scholarships
There are numerous scholarship programs in Poland and abroad designed to support PhD students’ research:
- National Science Centre (NCN)– offers research grants that can include funding for PhD students. For example, the PRELUDIUM program supports early-career researchers. The PRELUDIUM BIS competition is aimed at funding doctoral projects within doctoral schools. Grants can reach up to 300,000 PLN and can last for 36 or 48 months.
- Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) – organizes competitions for scholarships and grants, such as the START program for young scientists with significant achievements. This program is open to researchers from all scientific disciplines, and applicants must be under 30 years old in the application year. The annual scholarship amount in previous years was 28,000 PLN, which can be used for any purpose.
International PhD Scholarships
PhD students can also apply for international scholarships, such as:
These scholarships allow students to conduct part of their research abroad. Another example is the Thesaurus Poloniae scholarship, a three-month program from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for foreign researchers studying Polish culture, history, and heritage.
Social and Special Scholarships
PhD students facing life challenges that may hinder their studies can apply for:
– Social scholarships – based on income criteria.
– Scholarships for students with disabilities – based on the degree of disability.
– Rector’s scholarships – for students with outstanding academic, artistic, or athletic achievements.
Grants and Funding for Research Projects
In addition to scholarships, PhD students can secure funding for research projects:
– Doctoral Implementation Program – supports PhD students conducting research in collaboration with industry.
– University grants – many universities offer internal grant competitions for PhD students to fund their research.
Summary
PhD students in Poland have access to a wide range of scholarships and financial support, including basic PhD scholarships, pro-quality scholarships, social and special grants, and international research programs. Each PhD student should explore these opportunities and apply for those that best align with their academic needs and research ambitions.
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We have also a number of articles that offer guidance on issues you might encounter – such as deciding on where to study, getting involved in local organizations and learning Polish. We hope they will be useful to you!