
The Graduate School for Social Research, GSSR, proudly participated in the NAWA STER Program, a prestigious initiative aimed at enhancing international cooperation, promoting student mobility, and advancing the quality of doctoral education. The NAWA STER grant, SIGro Project (BPI/STE/2021/1/00030/U/00001; January 2022-December 2024), enabled GSSR to support its students through two exceptional scholarship opportunities:
- GSSR Best Student International Scholarship Award (GISA)
The GISA recognized and supported 12 outstanding doctoral students who demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and research potential. The scholarship provided crucial funding to advance their research, publish in top-tier journals, and foster international collaborations. - GSSR International Mobility Award (GIMA)
The GIMA facilitated international mobility opportunities for 13 GSSR students, allowing them to conduct research, attend conferences, and participate in academic exchanges abroad. These experiences enriched their doctoral research and expanded their global academic networks.
A Heartfelt Thanks to NAWA
We express our sincere gratitude to The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) for their generous support through the NAWA STER grant. Their commitment to promoting international collaboration and supporting young researchers has had a profound impact on our students’ academic and professional journeys.
Thanks to NAWA’s funding, our students were able to:
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- Engage in international research projects, contributing to their dissertations and expanding their academic expertise.
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- Present their work at renowned international conferences, receiving valuable feedback from leading scholars.
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- Build lasting international connections, fostering academic cooperation and innovation.

Student Voices: Reflections on International Experiences
The impact of the NAWA STER scholarships is best captured through the experiences of our students:

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- Aleksandra Piejka: “The NAWA STER scholarship has been transformative for my academic journey, allowing me to refine my skills, gain international recognition, and establish enduring collaborations.”
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- Paulina Bagrowska: “The NAWA STER GIMA award has already had a profound impact on my career as a young researcher. It facilitated the establishment of invaluable professional connections and provided an excellent opportunity to learn from and be inspired by some of the most accomplished scientists in the field.”
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- Monika Malon: “Continuous engagement with international scholars, coupled with secured funding provided by the GISA grant, has been pivotal in shaping my research trajectory.”
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- Andrzej Frelek: “Without the GISA grant, I would not have been able to cover the high costs of participating in so many high-profile international events, which were crucial to developing my academic career and expanding the outreach of my research.”

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- Jacek Mazurczak: “The support from the GISA scholarship has been pivotal in internationalising my PhD research, providing me with the tools, data, and collaborations necessary to address the complexities of radicalisation and violent extremism in Europe.”
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- Marcin Rabiza: “The GIMA scholarship provided an exceptional opportunity to conduct research in an international setting, profoundly influencing the trajectory of my doctoral dissertation.”
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- Filip Brzeźniak: “The NAWA STER grant has been instrumental in enhancing the international scope of my academic career, offering a broader network of professional contacts and a stronger foundation for my research.”
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- Patrycja Romaniuk: “The experience strengthened my communication skills, particularly in simplifying complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences, including local stakeholders.”
Continuing the Path of Internationalization
As the NAWA STER grant concludes, GSSR remains committed to fostering international academic exchange and promoting the global visibility of our students’ research. The achievements of our GISA and GIMA scholarship recipients reflect our dedication to maintaining high standards of internationalization in education and research.
We thank NAWA once again for their support and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate in promoting academic excellence and international cooperation.
