Student mobility

Students participate in mobility mainly under the EU Erasmus+ Programme, but Polish and international students may also undertake a study period or follow a full degree programme within the framework of:

• projects co-funded by the EU and the national budget;
• multilateral programmes;
• bilateral programmes; and
• national programmes.

Within the EU programmes, a study period or practical placement abroad is recognised in accordance with an agreement between the student and the home and host higher education institutions (HEIs), and the principles of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). In other programmes, sending and receiving HEIs agree arrangements for recognition. Qualifications (diplomas and degrees) obtained abroad are recognised in accordance with the national legislation; for details, see the final section in this chapter.

EU Programmes

Under the Erasmus+ Programme (2014-2020; 2021-2027), administered by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System, students and doctoral candidates can carry out a period of study and / or a practical placement abroad as part of Learning Mobility projects. They can also participate in short-term mobility linked to specific project objectives in various other types of Erasmus+ projects.

Programmes co-funded by the EU and the national budget

Programme ‘Poland My First Choice’

The Programme (2019-2023; final Call for applications in 2022) is part of the above-mentioned PO WER Programme and is managed by the National Agency for Academic Exchange. Scholarships were awarded to foreign nationals to take a full second-cycle programme in any field of study, at a public or non-public HEI supervised by the Minister of Education and Science which has the A or A+ research category (one of the two highest ratings awarded as an outcome of a quality evaluation of research activity). Applications could be submitted by candidates from EU Member States, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, and Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay, Israel, Republic of Korea, Japan and Singapore, and by China’s nationals who are Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan residents.

Programme “EU4Belarus”

The Programme (final Call for applications in 2022) is co-funded as part of the EU Programme “Support for Advanced Learning and Training – EU4Belarus-SALT”, established in response to the political crisis after the 2020 presidential election in Belarus. It awarded scholarships to Belarussian students enrolled in higher education institutions in Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Latvia, and to young people from Belarus who were enrolled on degree programmes in these countries in the academic years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.

For information about projects supported by other EU funds which involve mobility, see ‘Partnerships and Networks’ in Chapter 13.5. 

Multilateral programmes

Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies, CEEPUS

CEEPUS is the first multilateral cooperation programme in the field of education in Central Europe, established by a multilateral agreement. Poland has participated in the programme since 1994. The National Agency for Academic Exchange is the contact point for the programme in Poland. The other participating countries are Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. CEEPUS offers short-term scholarships to students, including doctoral students, and academic staff for research internships, summer schools and intensive courses as part of inter-institutional cooperation networks.

International Visegrad Fund

The International Visegrad Fund was created in 2000 by the governments of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary (V4 countries). Each of the four countries provides an equal financial contribution to the Fund. The Fund is also supported by governments of other countries, including Canada, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. It aims to strengthen cooperation among the V4 countries and between the V4 Region and other countries, in particular in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region. The unit administering the Fund is situated in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Fund awards scholarships to students for a study period or a full programme at the Master’s level or for a post-Master research period. Scholarships are available to students from the V4 countries, and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

European Economic Area Financial Mechanism: Education Programme

The Education Programme (2014-2021; final Call for proposals in 2021; projects lasting up to 2 years) is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and administered in Poland by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Under the component ‘Mobility projects in higher education’, students from Poland and the donor countries undertake a period of study or a practical placement. Within the component ‘Institutional cooperation for the improvement of quality and relevance of education’, students participate in activities such as seminars, conferences, education events and intensive training which aim to support the sharing of experience and good practice.

Bilateral programmes / initiatives

Bilateral agreements

Poland has signed bilateral cooperation agreements covering scholarship-based exchanges with around 100 countries in all regions of the world (for a list of the countries, see the Chapter ‘Bilateral Agreements and Worldwide Cooperation’). As part of the agreements, the Government of Poland and / or the partner country offer(s) a number of scholarships to academic staff and students. Arrangements for mobility and the recognition of study periods and / or qualifications are agreed with each signatory country.

Details about the agreements are available on the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (in Polish only) and in the Internet Treaty Database (in English and Polish) operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Regularly updated information (in English and Polish) about mobility opportunities is published on the website of the National Agency for Academic Exchange, which manages student and academic staff exchanges as part of bilateral agreements.

Bilateral scholarship programmes

Fulbright Programme

Under the Fulbright Programme, the Polish-US Fulbright Commission offers scholarships funded by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science and the U.S. State Department. Scholarships are awarded to Polish and U.S. students to take the first year of a Master’s degree or PhD programme, with an option to extend the period of study for one year, or carry out a research project related to a doctoral thesis.

Lane Kirkland Scholarship Programme

The Programme is funded by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, and administered by the Leaders of Change Foundation. Scholarships for two-semester studies at HEIs and internships at public and private institutions in Poland are awarded to young leaders and experts holding a degree from the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia (participation suspended after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine), Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Studies in Poland are intended to enhance knowledge and skills related to the development of democracy, economy and civic society.

National programmes / initiatives

As part of its statutory responsibilities, the National Agency for Academic Exchange (see the introductory section in Chapter 13) manages a number of programmes for Polish doctoral students and international students or other non-Polish nationals interested to study in Poland (in addition to the exchange programmes based on bilateral agreements, CEEPUS and the programme ‘Poland My First Choice’ mentioned above).

The M. Bekker Programme

The Programme aims to support the development of research competence of Polish doctoral students (and academic staff) in all scientific disciplines. Doctoral students receive scholarships for stays of 3 to 24 months at international research or academic institutions across the world to undertake a part of their doctoral training, conduct research or collect material for scientific publications.

The PRELUDIUM BIS Programme

The Programme offers grants to Polish doctoral students for internships at research and academic institutions in Europe and beyond, related to their participation in research projects which are funded under the National Science Centre’s Programme “PRELUDIUM BIS”. Internships, which can take 3 to 6 months, enable doctoral students to gain research experience and establish research collaboration.

 

 

The Gen. Anders Programme

The Programme is targeted at young people of Polish origin and individuals holding the so-called Card of the Pole from various regions of the world. Scholarship holders can take a full first-, second- or long-cycle programme at Polish HEIs supervised by the Ministers of Education and Science, Health, and Culture and National Heritage.

The S. Banach Scholarship Programme

The Programme has been designed jointly by the National Agency for Academic Exchange and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of Poland’s development aid. It aims to support socio-economic development of developing countries by enhancing knowledge and upgrading qualifications of their citizens. It is open to nationals of the following countries: Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, Northern Macedonia, Palestine, Peru, Republic of South Africa, Senegal, Serbia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Scholarship holders can follow a full second-cycle programme in the fields of engineering and technology, science, natural or agricultural sciences at public HEIs which are supervised by the Minister of Education and Science. Nationals of some countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) can also receive a scholarship for a full second-cycle programme in the fields of humanities and social sciences (except language and literature studies in their mother tongue).

Recognition of study or practical training periods and qualifications

Tools facilitating recognition based on European initiatives

The 8-level Polish Qualifications Framework (PQF) describes qualifications awarded in the country as referenced to the EQF. PQF qualifications are defined in terms of learning outcomes including knowledge, skills and social competences. Together with the Integrated Qualifications Register, the PQF is part of the Integrated Qualifications System, which was put in place in July 2016, in accordance with the Act of 22 December 2015 on the Integrated Qualifications System (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa o Zintegrowanym Systemie Kwalifikacji z dnia 22 grudnia 2015 r.) (z późn. zm.). 

Based on the national legislation, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was introduced as mandatory for Polish HEIs in 2006. The legislation specifies, among other things, the minimum number of ECTS credits required for the completion of first-, second- and long-cycle programmes and the award of a degree. Since 2004 HEIs have issued a Diploma Supplement based on the corresponding Europass document.

Recognition of qualifications

Recognition of qualifications (diplomas and degrees) is regulated in accordance with EU legislation and international conventions, including the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Convention) which was ratified in December 2003 and entered into force in Poland in 2004.

Like in other European countries, different regulations are in place in Poland for academic recognition (for individuals wishing to continue or begin studying or use an academic degree) and professional recognition (for individuals wishing to take up employment or practise a profession).

Academic recognition

Recognition is governed by the following legislative acts:

• Act of 20 July 2018, The Law on Higher Education and Science  (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa z 20 lipca 2018 r. – Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce (z późn. zm.));
• Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 28 September 2018 on the administrative process for the recognition of higher education diplomas awarded abroad and the verification of degree programme completion (Rozporządzenie Ministra Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego z 28 września 2018 r. w sprawie nostryfikacji dyplomów ukończenia studiów za granicą oraz potwierdzania ukończenia studiów na określonym poziomie) (applicable to diplomas / degrees awarded upon completion of first-, second- and long-cycle programmes or equivalent programmes);
• Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 28 September 2018 on the administrative process for the recognition of research degrees awarded abroad (Rozporządzenie Ministra Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego z 28 września 2018 r. w sprawie nostryfikacji stopni naukowych i stopni w zakresie sztuki nadanych za granicą) (applicable to doctoral and doctoral degrees).

First-, second- and long-cycle degrees / diplomas and doctoral and post-doctoral degrees may be recognised as equivalent to a corresponding Polish diploma / degree based on an international agreement, and in the absence of an agreement, through a recognition process (nostryfikacja).

Poland has signed bilateral agreements on the recognition of qualifications with:

• the following countries: Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Syria, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam; and
• the following countries that have ceased to exist: Czechoslovakia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, German Democratic Republic and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics.

Detailed information about the agreements is available on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science (information in Polish only) in the Internet Treaty Database (information in Polish and English) managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The recognition process identifies a Polish qualification corresponding to a foreign qualification. For first-, second- and long-cycle degrees / diplomas, the process is conducted by HEIs which hold an A+, A or B+ research category (one of the three highest ratings awarded as an outcome of an external evaluation of the quality of research) in the discipline concerned. For doctoral and post-doctoral degrees, it is conducted by  HEIs and research institutions which hold an A+ or A research category in the discipline concerned.

Detailed information about academic recognition is available on the website of the National Agency for Academic Exchange

Professional recognition

Recognition procedures vary depending on whether or not a given profession is regulated in Poland.

For non-regulated professions, pursuant to the Code of Labour of 26 June 1974 (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa – Kodeks Pracy z 26 czerwca 1974 r. (z późn. zm.)), a decision to recognise a foreign professional qualification is taken by the employer. The employer may require confirmation of the equivalence of a foreign qualification (see Academic recognition above).

Regulated professions in Poland include the so-called sectoral professions (doctor, dentist, pharmacist, nurse, midwife, veterinary surgeon and architect) and professions such as lawyer and teacher (working in the school education sector). 

Qualifications in regulated professions obtained in EU member states, member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – signatories of the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement, and Switzerland are recognised in Poland in accordance with the Act of 22 December 2015 on the rules for the recognition of professional qualifications acquired in Member States of the European Union (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa z 22 grudnia 2015 r. o zasadach uznawania kwalifikacji zawodowych nabytych w państwach członkowskich Unii Europejskiej (z późn. zm.)), and Acts of Parliament on the sectoral professions and the provision of services by foreign lawyers. The legislation is based on EU directives 2005/36/EC and 2013/55/EU.

Since higher education programmes for the sectoral professions are based on the EU legislation, qualifications may be automatically recognised if the applicant submits supporting documents (a diploma or certificate) to the competent Polish body.

Qualifications in professions such as teacher are recognised under the so-called general recognition system within the EU. The competent body assesses a given qualification in terms of the level of education / study and professional status / rights to practise a given profession which it confers on the holder in the state where it was awarded. Where the scope of education or the profession varies significantly between the home and host countries, the holder may be required to undertake an adaptation placement or take an aptitude test. Recognition of qualifications for legal and other professions is governed by separate regulations.

For qualifications obtained in other countries, holders should first apply for the academic recognition of a qualification (diploma / degree) (see above), and, subsequently, for an authorisation to practise a given profession in accordance with the legislation applicable to a given profession.

A list of professions which are regulated in Poland is available in the EU database of regulated professions. For further details about professional recognition, see the website of the National Agency for Academic Exchange. 

Other useful information

Information on the higher education system, degree programmes and scholarships offered, and practical information about Poland is available in the ‘Ready, Steady, Go Poland’ Portal, operated by the National Agency for Academic Exchange.

Education of foreigners and support for international students

Foreign nationals may take first-, second- and long-cycle programmes, non-degree postgraduate programmes, specialist programmes, doctoral training programmes and other courses in accordance with the Law on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018 (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa z 20 lipca 2018 r. – Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce (z późn. zm.)). Students gain admission and follow programmes or courses on the basis of:

• an international agreement;
• an agreement concluded between a Polish HEI and a foreign institution;
• a decision of the competent body; for example, the Minister, the Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (for scholarship holders; see the scholarship programmes above), the rector of an HEI or the head of a research institution.

Detailed arrangements are laid down in individual agreements and decisions.

Public HEIs do not charge tuition fees for full-time first-, second or long-cycle programmes, and for doctoral training at doctoral schools. However, they may charge fees from foreigners taking a first-, second or long-cycle programme in the Polish language, and fees for the following education services: part-time first-, second or long-cycle programmes; classes or courses repeated due to unsatisfactory learning achievements; programmes delivered in a foreign language; and classes or courses which are not part of a curriculum. Public HEIs may also charge fees for non-degree postgraduate programmes, specialist programmes or other forms of education and training.

No tuition fees are charged from foreigners taking a full-time programme in the Polish language who:

1. are nationals of EU Member States, EFTA / EEA Member States or Switzerland, or members of their families, residing in Poland;
2. are EU long-term residents or hold a permanent residence permit;
3. hold a temporary residence permit issued in accordance with the rules laid down by the Act on Foreigners of 12 December 2013;
4. have the status of refugee granted in Poland or have been granted temporary or subsidiary protection in Poland;
5. hold a certificate of proficiency in the Polish language as a foreign language at least at the C1 level, issued by the State Committee for Certification of Proficiency in the Polish Language as a Foreign Language;
6. hold a Card of the Pole or an appropriate document confirming Polish origin;
7. are spouses, ascendants or descendants of a Polish national who reside in Poland;
8. stay in Poland as part of short-term research mobility or hold a visa issued for conducting scientific research or development work.

HEIs may waive tuition fees charged from foreign nationals for a programme delivered in Polish or a foreign language and fees for classes or course repeated due to unsatisfactory learning achievements. Such arrangements are set out in an international agreement or an agreement between HEIs / institutions, a decision of the rector of a HEI, the head of a research institution, the Minister or the Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (for scholarship holders; see the scholarship programmes above).

The higher education system offers various types of financial support to foreign nationals. The Minister of Education and Science may award a scholarship to cover, in full or in part, tuition fees and travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. Foreign nationals listed under points 2 to 8 above may receive a student maintenance grant and / or a student credit. All international students are eligible to apply for other types of financial support. These include the Minister’s and the Rector’s scholarship for learning or sporting achievements; a scholarship for people with a disability; an aid payment; a scholarship funded by a local government body; a scholarship for learning or sporting achievements funded by a natural person or a corporate body which is not administered by a state or local-government body.

The legislation does not specify other types of support for international students. However, HEIs have in place various student services such as support in entry formalities (for examples, visa application); practical support (for example, accommodation); Polish language courses; orientation and integration programmes; academic support (for example, an academic teacher-tutor for a group of international students); and daily support by local students as buddies for international students.

Academic staff mobility

Strategic context

Mobility of Polish academic staff to European countries is an integral part of international cooperation supporting the development of the European Higher Education Area. There is no separate internationalisation or mobility strategy for higher education.

However, as explained in the introductory section to Chapter 13, academic staff mobility features in the Government’s ‘Strategy for Responsible Development (with a 2030 perspective)’ (Strategia na rzecz odpowiedzialnego rozwoju do 2020 r. (z perspektywą do 2030 r.) (summary in English), adopted in 2016, where one of the priorities is to create conditions supporting internationalisation of higher education. Furthermore, skills development and support for skills development of management and teaching staff in the entire formal education sector are among the priority areas of intervention in (‘The Integrated Skills Strategy’), adopted by the Government in December 2020. The lines of action in these areas include the promotion of international staff mobility; the development of planning and management skills for international projects; and the promotion of international good practice in teaching.

Legislation on employment

The legislation lays down conditions for granting leave to academic staff. Pursuant to the Law on Higher Education of 20 July 2018 (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa z dnia 20 lipca 2018 r. – Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce (z późn. zm.)), the rector of a higher education institution (HEI) may grant the following types of leave:

• for academic staff preparing a doctoral dissertation: paid research leave of the maximum duration of 3 months;
• for academic staff holding at least a doctoral degree: paid research leave of the maximum total duration of one year (which may be split into several periods) during a 7-year period of employment in a given HEI;  
• for all academic staff: paid leave to undertake a period of learning / training or a research or teaching placement / internship or participate in a conference abroad, or participate in joint research conducted with a foreign institution under a research cooperation agreement.

During paid leave, the HEI pays a full salary and social security contributions for the academic teacher. Periods of paid leave are counted towards periods which determine employee entitlements, including, for example, retirement-related entitlements based on the length of service.

Non-academic staff of a HEI are subject to the generally applicable provisions of the Labour Code of 26 June 1974 (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa – Kodeks Pracy z dnia 26 czerwca 1974 r. (z późn. zm.)). They are entitled to paid training leave for professional development, but the conditions of granting such leave do not refer to mobility: leave of 21 days is granted to prepare for and take the final exam upon completion of a degree programme. In other cases, staff may take unpaid leave and its duration is agreed with the employer.

Recognition of achievements and qualifications

There are no national regulations on the recognition of performance abroad o mobility outcomes for academic or non-academic staff. However, HEIs are required by law to conduct a periodic performance appraisal of academic staff, at least every 4 years or at the rector’s request, as part of internal quality assurance. Performance appraisal criteria are laid down by each HEI. Many HEIs take into consideration international experience, including mobility and participation in transnational projects, in periodic appraisal of academic staff and in the assessment of their achievements for academic career progression.

The standards for external programme evaluation, conducted on a cyclical basis by the Polish Accreditation Committee (see Chapter 11.2.2 “Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Approaches and methods for quality assurance”), do not refer explicitly to academic staff mobility, However, the standard on teaching staff includes incentives for continuing professional development; the standard on the internationalisation of education addresses conditions for students to achieve learning outcomes related to proficiency in a foreign language, and the inclusion of classes / courses delivered in a foreign language.

For information on the academic recognition of qualifications awarded upon completion of first-, second- and long-cycle programmes, and on the professional recognition of qualifications, see ‘Student Mobility’ in Chapter 13.2. The recognition of doctoral and post-doctoral degrees (referred to as scientific or research degrees in Poland) is governed by the following legislative acts:

• Act of 20 July 2018, The Law on Higher Education and Science (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa z 20 lipca 2018 r. – Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce (z późn. zm.));
• Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 28 September 2018 on the administrative process for the recognition of research degrees awarded abroad (Rozporządzenie Ministra Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego z 28 września 2018 r. w sprawie nostryfikacji stopni naukowych i stopni w zakresie sztuki nadanych za granicą).

Foreign doctoral and post-doctoral degrees may be recognised as equivalent to Polish ones based on an international agreement or, in the absence of an agreement, through a recognition process (nostryfikacja).

Poland has signed bilateral agreements on the recognition of qualifications with:

• the following countries: Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Syria, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam; and
• the following countries that have ceased to exist: Czechoslovakia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, German Democratic Republic and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics.

Details about the agreements are available on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science (information in Polish only) and in the Internet Treaty Database managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The recognition process identifies a Polish qualification corresponding to a foreign qualification. It is conducted by HEIs and research institutions which hold an A+ or A research category (one of the two highest ratings awarded as an outcome of an external evaluation of research activity) in the discipline concerned.

Further information on the recognition of qualifications is available on the website of the National Agency for Academic Exchange.

Data on mobility

HEIs provide data on staff mobility in their annual reports for the Ministry of Education and Science. The Foundation for the Development of the Education System produces various statistical and / or analytical reports on the implementation of the EU programmes which it manages. However, there are no aggregate or summary studies on the impact of all programmes and initiatives supporting academic or non-academic staff mobility.

Programmes / projects supporting mobility

Like for students, the EU Erasmus+ Programme is currently the main programme in terms of the number of outgoing and incoming teachers, but Polish and foreign academic staff are also offered mobility opportunities within the framework of:

• projects co-funded by the EU and the national budget;
• multilateral programmes;
• bilateral programmes; and
• national programmes and projects.

Non-academic staff can undertake a mobility period only within the Erasmus+ Programme and the Education Programme funded by the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.

EU Programmes

Under the Erasmus+ Programme (2014-2020; 2021-2027), administered in Poland by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (the website currently available in Polish only), higher education staff can carry out a teaching assignment or a training period (job shadowing or training activity), or participate in an intensive programme abroad as part of Learning Mobility projects. Short-term mobility of staff as part of various other types of Erasmus+ projects is linked to specific objectives of a given project.

Programmes / projects co-funded by the EU and the national budget

Project ‘Masters of Teaching’ (Mistrzowie dydaktyki)

The project (2017-2023) (information in Polish only) is co-funded by the European Social Fund and the Ministry of Science under the above-mentioned Operational Programme Knowledge-Education-Development (PO WER). Funding is available for the development and implementation of a model for tutoring, and study visits and training for Polish staff, as part of collaboration with foreign HEIs which are among the top 100 of the Shanghai Academic Ranking.

For information on EU-funded projects which involve mobility, see also Partnerships and Networks in Higher Education in Chapter 13.5.

Multilateral programmes

For Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS) and International Visegrad Fund: see ‘Student mobility’ in Chapter 13.2.1 “Mobility in Higher Education: Student Mobility”.

European Economic Area Financial Mechanism: Education Programme

The Education Programme (2014-2021; final Call for proposals in 2021; projects lasting up to 2 years) is funded by Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway and administered by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System.

Under the component ‘Professional Development of staff’, academic and non-academic staff (and staff working in other formal and non-formal education sectors) can undertake study visits to the donor countries and participate in intensive training courses run by trainers / experts from these countries.

The component ‘Mobility in higher education’ offers grants for teaching assignments as part of academic staff exchanges between HEIs in Poland and the donor countries, and for job shadowing visits and participation in seminars, workshops and conferences for both academic and non-academic staff.

The component ‘Institutional cooperation for the improvement of quality and relevance of education’ supports mobility related to the development or updating of curricula and the exchange of experience and good practice (for example, seminars, conferences, education events, intensive training).

Bilateral programmes / initiatives

For staff exchanges under bilateral agreements, see ‘Student mobility’ in Chapter 13.2.1.

Fulbright Programme

The Fulbright Programme (see also Chapter 13.2) offers scholarships to Polish and US academic staff. Polish academic staff can carry out teaching assignments and / or research at US higher education or other institutions. Academic staff who specialise in culture and history of Poland and Central and Eastern Europe can be awarded a scholarship for a teaching assignment in an US HEI which collaborates with the Polish-US Fulbright Commission. Researchers representing the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) can apply for a scholarship to carry out a teaching-and-research project (lectures, seminars, workshops; development of a curriculum or teaching materials) or research project at an US higher education or other institution. US academic staff are awarded scholarships for teaching assignments and / or research work at a Polish HEI or research institution.

National programmes / initiatives

Programmes administered by the National Agency for Academic Exchange

As part of its statutory responsibilities, the National Agency for Academic Agency (NAWA) (see the introductory section to Chapter 13) administers several programmes targeted at academic staff which involve learning mobility (in addition to the above-mentioned bilateral exchange programmes, CEEPUS, and national programmes offering scholarships for research mobility only).

 

 

The M. Bekker Programme

The Programme aims to support scientific development of Polish academic staff (and doctoral students) in all scientific disciplines. Academic staff are awarded scholarships for stays of 3 to 24 months at international research or academic institutions across the world to conduct research or development work, collect material for scientific publications, undertake a post-doctoral internship or other forms of research or academic activity.

The NAWA Chair Programme

The Programme aims to improve the quality of research and teaching in Polish HEIs and research institutions by providing grants for the employment of outstanding international scholars from various countries of the world. Projects may last between 36 and 48 months. Incoming scholars contribute to research and teaching activities and support host institutions in preparing applications for prestigious grants. The programme is currently open to humanities, social and theological sciences, and will be extended to cover other disciplines in the coming years.

The Ulam Programme

The Programme aims to boost internationalisation of Polish HEIs and research institutions. Grants are awarded for 6- to 24-month stays of international scholars (including Polish scholars working abroad on a permanent basis) who hold at least a doctoral degree in any discipline. Incoming scholars can conduct research, undertake a post-doctoral internship, collect material for research or a research publication and / or teach classes to students.

The NAWA MEDIC Programme

The Programme aims to enhance the teaching capacity and expand international collaboration of Polish HEIs which provide degree programmes in medical fields. Project grants are awarded to employ representatives of the medical professions (doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, midwifes, biomedical analysts, physiotherapists, paramedics) from abroad (including Poles working abroad on a permanent basis) who will teach classes for 10 to 24 months.

NAWA Urgency Grants

The Programme supports international collaboration between research teams and mobility as part of projects focusing on current societal, civilisation or natural processes and phenomena which are uncommon, unique and unpredictable and have significant global or regional implications. Projects, which can last between 3 and 10 months, enable researchers to acquire new knowledge, collect data, examine effects of a phenomenon or event within the shortest possible time after its occurrence.

See also the information about the programmes for doctoral students in Chapter 13.2.1 section ‘Student Mobility’