Deadline: 1 Marc 2o23
Open to: candidates with a 4 years Bachelor’s degree
Benefits: fully funded
Description
The L. Kirkland Scholarship Program has been supporting the individual development of young, ambitious and active citizens from Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia for 23 years. Since 2000, over 1000 alumni have taken part in the Program. This group of alumni includes members of government, parliamentarians, managers from large multinational corporations, managers in local government bodies, and well-known social activists. The author and founder of the Program is the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. The Program is also financially supported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
(NAWA).
The Program offers two semesters of study in one of four Polish academic centers (Warsaw, Cracow, Wrocław, Lublin) and at least two weeks of professional internship in state, private, or non-governmental organizations. The program also offers an extensive training and workshop program. The program is addressed to young leaders and experts who hold university degrees and are interested in the development of democracy, economy, and civil society in their own countries and in the region.
FIELDS:
Economics and Management
Administration / Management in business, NGOs, culture, education and healthcare
Public Administration (Central and Local Government Administration)
Law
Social Sciences (Social Psychology, Sociology)
Political Science, Journalism, and International Relations
Environment and Climate Protection
Security and Cybersecurity
Crisis management
Development Policy and Humanitarian Aid
Areas related to the future reconstruction of Ukraine, e.g., urban planning, civil engineering, forensic science, etc.
Detailed rules concerning participation in the Kirkland Program can be found in the Rules and Regulations of the Program.
Eligibility
– Citizenship and permanent residence in one of the target countries (holders of a Polish residence card, and people living or working in Poland when applying for a scholarship are ineligible; however, this criterion does not apply to Belarusian citizens living in Poland who arrived in Poland after August 2020, or to Ukrainian citizens who found themselves in Poland after 24 February 2022 – such persons may apply for Kirkland scholarships)
-Full university education – completed Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, consisting of a minimum of four years of degree study
-Up to 40 years of age
-At least two years of professional experience
-At least two years break from participation in a previous scholarship abroad that was longer than 6 months. This criterion does not apply to candidates from Ukraine, or, in individual cases, from Belarus
-Kirkland Program studies may be conducted in Polish or English. Knowledge of the Polish language facilitates full use of the educational offer at Polish universities and of the professional internship. Candidates who plan to study in English are required to indicate a specific educational offer in that language at one of the above-mentioned four academic centers. Candidates are required, during the interview, to speak Polish to at least at B2 level or to speak English at the B2 level and Polish at the basic level, i.e., A1 level. For candidates with insufficient knowledge of the Polish language, but who have obtained a high score in the interview, will be allowed to attempt the language exam at the end of June 2023. The results of the examination determine the final qualification of the candidate for the scholarship.
PREFERED CANDIDATES:
– candidates actively working in their professional and social fields
– candidates who have significant achievements
– candidates who have not yet studied in Poland
Benefits
– Free access to university classes and support from an academic advisor
– A stipend of PLN 18,000 (paid in 9 installments over 9 months).
In addition, the Program administrator provides the following (worth approx. 4,500 PLN/month):
– accommodation during the whole stay in Poland
– health insurance for medical outpatient care, treatment costs in case of emergency, and civil liability insurance
– one return ticket to Poland (up to an agreed amount)
– public transport cards
– visa costs
– research materials
– participation in an introductory course, and in grantees’ conventions,
– Polish language course (October–June).
How to apply?
A description of the program and detailed application instructions can be obtained directly from the following website: www.kirkland.edu.pl. They can also be requested by e-mail from the Program Office.
Application forms should be filled out on-line.
After the on-line application is submitted, the system will generate an application confirmation document that needs to be printed. The signed page together with an attached current photograph of the candidate should be scanned and sent by e-mail together with two reference letters and a copy of the graduation diploma to the following address: kirkland@kirkland.edu.pl
For more information please visit the official website.