Distinguished Scholar in Humanities at Maria Curie-Sklodowska University

Apply for a Fulbright grant to Poland - a modern country with a centuries-old cultural heritage and scholarly tradition, ample research and teaching opportunities, rich geographical diversity, low living costs and unique location in the heart of Europe! 

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. Come and see for yourself!

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 here).

Prior to your Fulbright grant, Fulbright Poland will invite you to a three day long Orientation in Warsaw, which typically covers topics such as the Polish culture and language, higher education, healthcare system and the specifics of your grant. Down the road you will have ample opportunities to bond and network with your fellow Fulbrighters and the Fulbright staff at events such as the Thanksgiving dinner, the November workshop, the Mid-Year meeting and the June Graduation. You will also have a chance to collaborate with experts from and beyond your host institution, as scholars may be invited to give occasional lectures in Poland and in other European countries participating in the Inter-Country Travel Program. Finally, throughout your grant period, you will have a dedicated Program Officer, who will oversee your stay in Poland. 

In the words of one of our recent U.S. Fulbright Scholar alumni: "Get ready to fall in love with this place. I’m serious. This is a wonderful country, wonderful people. Get ready for your expectations to be exceeded.”

Higher education and research institutions in Poland
Poland boasts over 350 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 about 900 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 over 170 countries. 

The number of R&D institutions in Poland has grown over the recent years. Currently, there are ca. 102 research institutes and laboratories, and 69 institutes 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 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 2018 “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.  

Basic information about the academic year in Poland
The fall semester (called the winter semester in Poland) runs from the beginning of October through mid-February, with a Christmas holiday break of about ten days. The examination session typically takes place in January and February.

The spring semester (called the summer semester in Poland) runs from mid-February through June, with a week-long Easter-break. The summer break takes place between July and August.