The Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) has announced the call for applications for the Ulam NAWA 2026 Program, addressed to Polish scientific and higher education institutions.
The program aims to increase the internationalization of Polish science by employing outstanding researchers from abroad for a period of 6 to 24 months. Invited researchers will support the host institutions by conducting research, undertaking postdoctoral fellowships, preparing publications, participating in grant projects, and engaging in teaching activities.
The application deadline is 15 May 2026 at 15:00 (Polish time).
The announcement of results is planned by 30 November 2026.
The program is open to all fields of science.
Who can apply?
The applicant is a Polish institution planning to employ a scientist as the Project Leader. The candidate must:
✔ hold at least a doctoral degree,
✔ be employed abroad or have been recently employed abroad,
✔ not have worked or studied in Poland within the last 3 years,
✔ have three significant scientific achievements from the last 5 years.
Polish scientists working abroad may constitute a maximum of 10% of the program participants.
Funding
The program provides remuneration for the Project Leader and additional allowances, and the maximum project funding amounts to PLN 436,800.
Special track – MSCA
For institutions inviting researchers who have received the MSCA Seal of Excellence or Accolade of Excellence, the application procedure is simplified and exempt from substantive evaluation, as the European evaluation of the project is already recognized.
Applications must be submitted electronically through the NAWA system, and all documents should be prepared in English.
More information:
https://nawa.gov.pl/nawa/aktualnosci/otwarty-nabor-w-programie-ulam-nawa-2026