Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agendas Programme 2026

The Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agendas Programme is a research funding initiative run by the Foundation for Polish Science in Poland. Rather than being a single standard scholarship for all applicants, it supports internationally competitive research centres and agendas hosted by Polish institutions. These centres then recruit researchers for funded opportunities, including PhD and postdoctoral positions.

Based on recent postings, funded opportunities under this programme have included positions at institutions such as the University of Gdańsk and the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Research areas represented in the postings include cancer vaccine science, molecular and sequencing-based biomedical research, particle astrophysics, instrumentation, and gravitational-wave-related physics and engineering.

Support varies by host project and recruitment call, but positions are generally funded research posts or scholarships. Depending on the host centre, funding may cover a stipend or salary-like support and research participation within an international team. The programme is hosted in Poland, and opportunities are tied to specific research groups rather than a central annual application from students directly to the Foundation for Polish Science.

Eligibility depends on the individual vacancy. Recent examples have required a relevant master's degree for PhD roles or a completed PhD for postdoctoral appointments, along with strong research preparation, English proficiency, and application documents such as a CV, motivation or research statement, diplomas, transcripts, references, and GDPR-related forms. Applicants should therefore look for open calls published by IRA-supported centres in Poland and apply directly to the recruiting host institution according to the instructions in each posting.