Application procedure

How to Apply: 

Step #1: Secure three recommendation letters and have your recommenders send them directly to the [email protected].  

Requirements of a Recommendation letter:

  • Recommenders (not applicants) must send their letters directly to the Kosciuszko Foundation at [email protected] from institutional email addresses. Recommendations sent by the applicant will not be considered.
  • Letters should be addressed to the Kosciuszko Foundation Academic Advisory Committee.
  • Recommendations should evaluate your professional work and your proposed project.
  • Recommendation letters should be in English, typed on institutional letterhead and signed.
  • Three letters of recommendation: Two letters should be from professors in the field of your research/studies, who should comment on your purpose for conducting research/studies in the United States. The third letter should be from a colleague in your discipline, who is outside your home institution. Such letters help demonstrate the breadth of your scholarly reputation.
  • Anyone who serves as a recommender may not also provide the applicant with an invitation letter.
  • References from relatives are not permitted.
  • The KF does not accept recommendation letters after the application deadline, which is November 15th, 2020.
  • The letter may be submitted as either a PDF file or a Microsoft Word file.

Step #2: Fill out an online application and attach all required supporting documents.

Link to the : Application form

Supporting Documents: As part of the application, you must upload the following required documents from (a) to (e), additional documents (f) are only for those applying for teaching fellowships, visual art projects, literary writers, journalists, and critics.

a) A well-defined, typewritten proposal (no more than 500 words) with a specific study/research plan.  The proposals exceeding 500 words by more than 15% will not be considered. There is no template for a successful project proposal as each project is unique. Applicants are encouraged to have someone outside of their area of specialization read their project proposal for clarity, formatting, and specificity as well as general proofreading. (Teaching fellowship applicants unless they want to conduct simultaneously research and teaching projects they do not need to submit a research proposal.)

b) A current invitation from a U.S. educational institution (a host letter) where the applicant plans to conduct research/studies. You must secure your placement or affiliation. The KF does not assist in establishing contacts. You can only submit one host letter unless your research involves conducting it in more than one institution.

 Requirements of a Host letter:

  • Your host institution contact should write host letters, ideally by the relevant department/faculty head or direct supervisor during your proposed program.
  • Host letters should be typed on institutional letterhead and signed
  • The letter should contain the proposed academic year
  • The KF does not accept host letters after the application deadline

c) Curriculum Vitae, including a list of relevant and recent publications of which the applicant is the principal author. The Curriculum Vitae describes academic credentials and demonstrates a record of scholarly achievements. When composing a Curriculum Vitae, it is essential to include:

  • Education (universities attended, degrees earned, and dates received)
  • Professional positions held
  • Courses taught and other services provided to students and the home institution
  • Publications (provide full citations and list them starting with the most recent)
  • Other professional activities, such as workshops, seminars and consultations
  • Membership and activities in professional associations
  • Professional honors, awards and fellowships

d) A scan of the applicant's passport ID page. 

e) A current photograph of yourself. Your photo isn't used to determine eligibility but is vital for donor relations. If awarded, your photo will be an important part of your scholarship profile. Provide a photo that is at least 500KB and the highest resolution possible (300 dpi preferred).

All photos must meet the following requirements:

  • At least 500KB
  • High resolution
  • A clear face shot
  • Suitable for the KF publications to include: our website, newsletters, donor communications, and/or event materials.

f) Additional documents:

Literary writers, journalists, and critics must support their research proposal with significant samples of their work. 

Visual artists are required to submit catalogs, photographs, slides, or videos of their work. All submitted materials are nonreturnable. These may also be mailed.

Applicants for the Teaching Fellowship should attach a Teaching Plan (Course Syllabus).

Step # 3: In-person interviews in Poland, Warsaw

Each application is initially assessed by the Kosciuszko Foundation's Academic Advisory Committee.

The KF Exchange Program Officer contacts the short-listed applicants to arrange an interview. All interviews must be attended in person by the applicant. Those who are unable to attend an interview will be advised to reapply the following year. Interviews will be scheduled as early as possible and will be conducted between 15 to 26, February 2021.

February 15 to 18, 2021 –  Humanities

February 19, 2021 - Law and Economy

February 22 to 26, 2021 - Sciences 

Interviews are held back-to-back, over several days. The Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship Commission panel members interview dozens of applicants, which means that once you have been assigned a date and time of your interview, any rescheduling will be impossible.

The purpose of the interviews is to confirm that the candidate can communicate effectively, can demonstrate the skills described in the application materials, and has the potential for contributing to the chosen area of study or research. We are looking for someone who can convince the committee that he or she 1) presents a valuable project and will implement it successfully, 2) will have positive effects on their areas of specialization, and 3) will represent Poland and the Kosciuszko Foundation positively.

Scholarship Commission

The Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship Commission comprises representatives from relevant professional fields, senior academics, The KF alumni and The KF staff. We make sure that at least one scholar representing your discipline is always present.

Interview structure:

Interviews are conducted only in English

Each candidate will be interviewed individually for approximately 30 minutes. The general structure of the interview consists of:

  • 5-minute welcome and introduction. You should explain your background and professional interests.
  • 15-minute presentation of your project/research proposal. You can prepare a PowerPoint or video presentation. A computer with Windows will be available, but you can bring your own (we are not responsible for any connection failures of your equipment).
  • 10-minute Q&A session

After the interviews are completed, all applicants are ranked in order of preference by the Commission to determine the nominations for Fellowships/Grants that will be forwarded to the Kosciuszko Foundation Board.

Step #4: Award announcements

The KF Selection Committee submits the nominations for Fellowships/Grant to the Kosciuszko Foundation Board for approval. The number of Fellowships on offer varies from year to year, depending on available funds.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome by Exchange Program Officer by the end of March.

The Kosciuszko Foundation will not make any comments on individual applications or give any explanations regarding the final result.

<< Return to Exchange Program to the United States