Diverse educational programs and research opportunities
Poland boasts nearly 400 diverse higher education institutions. These include universities, technical, agricultural, theological and pedagogical higher education institutions, medical universities, academies of physical education as well as higher education institutions of economics, arts and maritime studies. Polish higher education institutions provide a wide choice of 1st cycle, 2nd cycle and 3rd cycle studies as well as uniform long-cycle master’s programs, with over 800 programs offered in English.
Poland follows the Bologna framework of higher education, with a goal to facilitate comparability of qualifications and, as a result, student and academic mobility to and from other European countries. The quality of education and research offered at Polish higher education institutions is widely recognized and reflected in a growing number of international students representing 170 countries. The number of students of American origin in Poland has increased by as much as 17% over the past academic year (source: Open Doors 2019).
Over the recent years, the number of R&D institutions in Poland has grown by over 60%. Currently, there are ca. 120 public research institutes and laboratories, and 79 establishments of the Polish Academy of Sciences, an independent state research institution with units all across the country. With the goal to enhance Poland’s commercial potential, research institutes have recently established “The Łukasiewicz Research Network", Europe's 3rd largest research network (source: Euraxess).
Currently there are three national funding agencies in Poland that support research activities and academic mobility - The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), the National Science Center (NCN) and the National Center for Research and Development (NCBR).
The recent “Constitution for Science” reform aims to further improve the conditions for research and teaching excellence in Poland, encouraging sustainable growth of academic institutions, introducing doctoral schools and providing universities with more independence needed for effective management.
The Fulbright Program in Poland
In Poland the Fulbright Program was initiated in 1959, at the height of the Cold War. Poland was the first country in Eastern and Central Europe to participate in the Fulbright Program and to this day remains one of the largest and most vigorous in the region. Approximately 5000 American and Polish alumni have benefited from the program since its inception. Over 100 grants are currently awarded each year by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission to both, American and Polish grantees, with approximately 15 offered to American scholars.
Within the U.S. Scholar Program, American scholars are provided with the opportunity to teach and/or pursue research in Poland. Affiliations are possible with a variety of higher education and research institutions; opportunities also exist for collaboration with public officials and professionals at other institutions. Scholars may be invited to give occasional lectures. English is widely used at the university level. Polish language ability, if applicable, must be commensurate with the project's requirements. The program is open to scholars and professionals from all disciplines.
Applicants are encouraged to view the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission's website for current information about program offerings, recent initiatives and program alumni. For any additional information, please contact Commission’s Program Officers.
Website: https://en.fulbright.edu.pl/grants-for-american-citizens/
Facebook: /FulbrightPolska
Twitter: @Fulbright Poland
Instagram: @Fulbright Poland
About Poland
With its picturesque old towns and medieval architecture, wild forests and powdery-sand beaches, humming city life and imaginative culinary scene, Poland is a country that is as captivating as it is surprising.
Poland is the 9th largest country in Europe and the 6th most populous member of the European Union. The country shares borders with Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. Poland’s central location makes it a perfect base from which to explore the region. While living standards are comparable with those in Western European countries, the cost of living in Poland, even in bigger cities, is significantly lower (More information at Ready, Study, Go! Poland!)
Prominent Poles include scientists such as two-time Nobel Prize winner Maria Skłodowska-Curie or internationally renowned cardiac surgeon Zbigniew Religa, writers such as Nobel Prize winners Czesław Miłosz or Olga Tokarczuk, filmmakers such as Honorary Oscar recipient Andrzej Wajda or Fulbright grantee Juliusz Machulski, artists such as virtuoso pianist Fryderyk Chopin or internationally acclaimed sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz, as well as statesmen such as military leader Tadeusz Kosciuszko or Nobel-Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa.
Poland’s competitive higher education and research institutions, rich geographical diversity and cultural heritage, low living costs and easy access to other European countries make it a perfect destination for an unforgettable research and teaching experience. In the words of one of U.S. Fulbright Scholar grantees to Poland: "The reality of living outside the U.S., and learning to enjoy every day while observing each cultural difference was priceless. The experience in the lab was outstanding, and the hospitality and the level of scientific collaboration was world class.“
