UNESCO/Poland Co-Sponsored Fellowships in Archaeology and Conservation 2025–2026

Omran Aburayya
May 31
3 min read

If you're a young professional passionate about archaeology and conservation, the UNESCO/Poland Co-Sponsored Fellowships in Archaeology and Conservation for the 2025–2026 academic year offer an exceptional opportunity to advance your expertise in a dynamic, international setting. Applications are now open for this prestigious program, which provides a fully funded 9-month internship at the Faculty of Archaeology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland. This initiative aims to enhance human resource capacities and foster international collaboration among nations.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

Location: Poznań, Poland
Host Institution: Faculty of Archaeology, Adam Mickiewicz University
Study Level: Postgraduate (B.A. or M.A. holders)
Target Group: Nationals from 24 invited Member States
Fields of Study: Archaeology and Conservation
Funding: Fully funded (details below)
Duration: 9 months (1 October 2025 – 30 June 2026)
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 11 June 2025, midnight Paris time
Start Date: 1 October 2025
Eligible Countries: Algeria, Bolivia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, South Africa, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

🏛️ Fellowship Overview

The program offers seven fellowships, each encompassing a 9-month archaeological internship at the Faculty of Archaeology, Adam Mickiewicz University. The curriculum includes a main course titled "New Multidisciplinary Methods in Archaeological Practice," supplemented by additional and elective courses. For a detailed breakdown of the study program, refer to Annex II on the official UNESCO fellowship page.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Provided by Polish Authorities:

Tuition-free education for the entire duration of the fellowship.
Monthly stipend:
- PLN 2,200 for M.A. degree holders.
- PLN 1,800 for B.A. degree holders.
One-time special allowance upon arrival:
- PLN 2,200 for M.A. degree holders.
- PLN 1,800 for B.A. degree holders.
- This allowance covers activities related to the stay in Poznań, such as cultural, historical, and/or touristic visits, conferences, workshops, and seminars related to the studies.(UNESCO)

Provided by UNESCO:

International travel expenses (most direct, economical route) to and from Poland.
Health insurance for the duration of the fellowship.
One-time pocket allowance of US$120.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be nationals of one of the 24 invited Member States.
Hold a B.A. or M.A. degree, preferably in Archaeology or Conservation.
Be proficient in English (reading and writing).
Be no older than 40 years at the time of application.

📝 Application Procedure

Step 1: Review Program Details

Carefully read Annex I (Terms and Conditions) and Annex II (Study Programme) to understand the fellowship's requirements and structure.

Step 2: Contact National Commission

Reach out to the National Commission for UNESCO in your country to inquire about national-level application procedures.

Step 3: Prepare Application Documents

Complete the UNESCO fellowship application form (all 4 pages) in English using capital letters.
Provide a recent passport-sized photograph.
Submit a scanned copy of your passport's homepage.
Include certified copies (in English) of your Bachelor's or Master's degree.
If English is not your mother tongue, submit the UNESCO certificate of language knowledge, duly completed by a relevant authority.
Obtain two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic or professional work.

Step 4: Submit to National Commission

Send your complete application package to your country's National Commission for UNESCO. Note that the National Commissions will select and transmit the applications of nominated candidates to UNESCO Paris Headquarters by 28 May 2025 at the latest; therefore, applicants are advised to submit their applications to the National Commissions as early as possible.

Step 5: Submit to UNESCO

Once endorsed by your National Commission, email your application to archaeology.poland@unesco.org, with Fellowships.Archaeology@unesco.pl in copy.
Complete and submit the online information sheet provided by UNESCO.

⚠️ Important: Only applications endorsed by the National Commission will be accepted by UNESCO. It is mandatory for each endorsed candidate to submit their information sheet by Wednesday, 11 June 2025, midnight Paris time, at the latest.