Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program

Overview

The Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program is a competitive fellowship for young professionals and experts from Eastern Partnership and Central Asian countries who want to spend two semesters studying and completing an internship in Poland. It is funded and administered by the Leaders of Change Foundation (formerly the Poland-America-Ukraine Cooperation Initiative) and named after Lane Kirkland, the American labor leader who was a strong advocate for democratic transition in Central and Eastern Europe. The program is not a standard degree program — participants spend 9 months at a Polish university pursuing non-degree studies in a field related to their professional work, alongside a structured internship in a Polish institution or organization.

The financial package is substantial. Participants receive a stipend of PLN 22,500 paid in 9 monthly installments (roughly PLN 2,500 per month), plus covered accommodation, health and civil liability insurance, a private medical plan, return travel costs, a full Polish language course running from October to June, public transportation costs, visa fees, and learning materials. When all benefits are counted, the total monthly support has been estimated at around PLN 5,000, making it one of the more generous fellowship packages for the region.

Study fields covered by the program include economics, management, public administration, law, social sciences, political science, environmental protection, security, and crisis management. Universities are located in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Lublin — all major Polish university cities. Note that Russia's participation has been suspended due to its aggression against Ukraine. If you hold citizenship in one of the currently eligible countries and have at least two years of professional experience, the Lane Kirkland Scholarship is worth applying for seriously: the combination of Polish university access, professional network building, and the internship component is genuinely distinctive.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen or permanent resident of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan. Applicants must not already be studying or residing in Poland at the time of application.

Academic Requirements

A Master's degree or equivalent is required for the main Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program. A PhD degree is required for the Kirkland Research Program variant. Previous degrees must be from institutions outside Poland.

Professional Experience

A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience is required for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship. The Kirkland Research Program requires at least 4 years of experience.

Language Requirements

You must have at least B2 proficiency in Polish or B2 proficiency in English. If you apply via the English track, you also need basic A1-level Polish. Language competence is assessed during the selection process.

Age Requirements

The main Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program accepts applicants up to 40 years old. The Kirkland Research Program accepts applicants up to 45 years old.

Other Conditions

At least 2 years must have passed since any previous foreign scholarship that lasted longer than 6 months. You cannot be currently studying, working, or residing in Poland.

What the Scholarship Covers

• PLN 22,500 stipend paid in 9 monthly installments (~PLN 2,500/month)
• Accommodation in a university dormitory or equivalent housing
• Health insurance, civil liability insurance, and private medical coverage
• Return travel costs (within set limits)
• Polish language course running from October through June
• Monthly public transportation pass
• Visa costs
• Learning materials allowance
• Organized internship in a Polish institution, company, or organization

How to Apply

1. Check eligibility: Confirm your citizenship, age, degree level, language proficiency, and that you are not currently in Poland.
2. Prepare your project statement: Write a project statement of 4,000–6,000 characters describing your professional goals, why you want to study in Poland, and what you plan to do after the program.
3. Request reference letters: Identify two referees who can speak to your professional work — family members are excluded. Request letters well before the March 1 deadline.
4. Complete the online application: Fill in the full application form on the Kirkland Foundation website, including the project statement and personal details.
5. Attach documents: Upload your Master's or PhD diploma copy and the two reference letters.
6. Submit by March 1: The application closes on March 1 each year. Late submissions are not accepted.
7. Attend the interview (Stage 3): Shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews by March 25, with interviews conducted online or at Polish diplomatic missions in late March/April.
8. Await final results: Final selections are announced at the end of May.

Required Documents

• Completed online application form including project statement (4,000–6,000 characters)
• Copy of Master's degree diploma (or PhD diploma for the Research Program)
• Two reference letters from professional contacts (not family members)
• Proof of language proficiency at B2 level (Polish or English)
• Valid passport copy

Key Dates & Deadlines

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Write your project statement around a specific professional goal — describe a concrete problem in your field that you want to address after returning home, and explain how studying in Poland will help you do that
• Choose referees who know your professional work well, not just your academic background; the program values demonstrated professional impact
• If you're on the English track, start learning Polish before the program — even reaching A2 before arrival will help you build more meaningful connections during the year
• Research the Polish universities in your field before applying and mention specific faculty, research groups, or internship organizations in your statement
• Apply well before March 1 — technical issues with the online form close to the deadline are a common problem

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing a project statement that describes your CV rather than your goals — the committee wants to understand where you're headed, not where you've been
• Using reference letters from family members or colleagues who cannot speak to your professional capabilities
• Applying if you are currently residing or studying in Poland — this is a strict disqualifying condition
• Underestimating the language requirement — B2 is a substantial level, and weak language skills will show in the interview
• Missing the March 1 deadline; there are no extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program?

It is a 9-month non-degree fellowship for professionals from Eastern Partnership and Central Asian countries to study and complete an internship at a Polish university. It is funded by the Leaders of Change Foundation and named after American labor leader Lane Kirkland.

Is the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program fully funded?

Yes. It covers a PLN 22,500 stipend in 9 monthly installments, accommodation, health and civil liability insurance, return travel, a Polish language course, public transportation, visa costs, and learning materials — an estimated total of around PLN 5,000 per month in support.

What is the deadline for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program?

Applications close on 1 March each year. The selection process runs through May, with interviews in March and April and results announced at the end of May.

Who is eligible for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program?

Citizens or permanent residents of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan who hold a Master's degree (or higher), have at least 2 years of work experience, are under 40, have B2 Polish or English, and are not currently in Poland.

What documents do I need for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program?

You need the completed online application including a project statement (4,000–6,000 characters), a copy of your Master's or PhD diploma, two professional reference letters (not from family), and proof of language proficiency.

Is the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program a full degree?

No. It is a two-semester non-degree study and internship program. You study at a Polish university and complete an internship but do not receive a Polish degree. You may be able to transfer credits to your home institution.

What fields are covered by the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program?

Economics, management, public administration, law, social sciences, political science, environmental protection, security, and crisis management.

Where in Poland will I study on the Lane Kirkland Scholarship?

Universities are located in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Lublin, including institutions such as the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University. Placement depends on your field and the available slots.

Can Russian citizens apply for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program?

No. Russia's participation has been suspended due to its aggression against Ukraine.

How is the Lane Kirkland Scholarship different from the Kirkland Research Program?

The main Scholarship Program is 9 months and requires a Master's degree and 2 years of experience (up to age 40). The Research Program is 4 months, requires a PhD, 4 years of experience, and accepts applicants up to age 45. The Research Program stipend is PLN 10,800 in 4 installments.