Polish Studies Initiative Student Scholarships
The Polish Studies Initiative (PSI) aims to support the study of Polish language and culture through summer intensive language programs, internships, and study abroad programs. Scholarships are available for both OSU undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing more advanced training during a summer semester. Scholarships will be awarded in amounts up to $1,000. For information about study abroad programs and summer language programs, visit the Resources section on PSI's main page.
Grants for Research in Polish Studies
PSI grants fund the research of OSU faculty, postdocs, and post-candidacy PhD students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences that will enhance the understanding of Polish society and culture. Projects focusing on Polish-American culture or curriculum development for Polish-language courses are also welcome. Typically, up to $1,500 in funding can be requested.
The 2025 PSI Grant and Scholarship Competition is now open! Both applications close on Friday, February 14, 2025. Please see below for more details on how to apply for either competition.
Current Awardees
2024 Polish Studies Initiative Scholarship Recipients
- Luke Bendick, MA Student at the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies: will study third-year Polish language and culture in a summer study abroad program at the Jagiellonian University
- Drew Haver, Undergraduate Student in the Department of History and the Fisher College of Business: will participate in Ohio State’s "U.S., Europe and the Second World War—Interactions in 20th Century History" faculty-led study abroad program
- Lauren Hayden, PhD Student in the Department of Anthropology: will participate in the Slavia Foundation's Mortuary Archaeological Field School in Giecz, Poland, led by CSEEES affiliate faculty member, Dr. Amanda Agnew
- Ashley Meyersburg, Undergraduate Student in the College of Dentistry: will also participate in the "U.S., Europe and the Second World War—Interactions in 20th Century History" study abroad program.
2024 Polish Studies Initiative Grant Recipients
- Sofia Bachman, PhD Student in the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures: awarded a Fulbright research grant to Poland in academic year 2024-25; will explore Polish feminist and queer artistic performance to inform her dissertation on queer and feminist activism in art
- Dr. Diana Sacilowski, Senior Lecturer of Polish in the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures: will conduct research in Kazimierz Dolny, Zamość, and Lublin, specifically focusing on monuments, memorials, and other physical commemorative projects that engage with Poland’s Jewish history; research for a book project on how literary texts intersect with sites of memory.
PSI Grant and Scholarship Details
The Polish Studies Initiative supports the study of Polish language and culture through summer intensive language, study abroad, and internship programs. Scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing more advanced training during summer semester 2025 (any session of the summer term April 30 - August 4, 2025), with programs taking place during any of the Summer Term sessions eligible. Before submitting an application, interested students should consult the eligibility requirements. Scholarships will be awarded in amounts up to $1,000. Preference will be given to students pursuing Polish language studies.
Scholarship recipients will be asked to write an article for inclusion on the CSEEES website and other promotional items.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be enrolled as students at The Ohio State University (OSU) at the time of application as well as throughout the period of the award;
- Undergraduate students must be in good academic standing (3.2 GPA or higher); and
- Graduate students must be pre-candidacy, still in coursework, and have no outstanding incompletes.
Prospective applicants are advised to read the PSI Scholarship Info Sheet before starting the application.
The application is submitted completely online at the link below and should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Applicants should have their supporting documents on hand when they are ready to submit an application as it must be completed at one time. A PSI Scholarship Preview is available to help applicants prepare the necessary documents.
A complete application consists of:
- An Online Application Form;
- A one-page, single-spaced Statement of Intent, uploaded in the Online Application Form;
- OSU Advising Report and transcripts from other institutions, uploaded in the Online Application Form; and
- Budget Estimate section within the Online Application Form.
Applications are due by Friday, February 14, 2025.
Apply for 2025 PSI Scholarship
Students wishing to study abroad in Poland are strongly encouraged to have a back-up plan for a domestic program in place if the ongoing war in Ukraine prevents study abroad programs in Poland from taking place. For a list of domestic Polish language programs, please visit the main PSI webpage.
For information about study abroad programs and summer language programs, visit the Resources section on PSI's main page.
The Polish Studies Initiative (PSI) announces a grant competition for all faculty and post-candidacy PhD students at OSU. Applicants can request up to $1,500 in funds. PSI supports research in the arts, humanities, and social sciences that will enhance the understanding of Polish society and culture. In the project statement, candidates should explain their disciplinary background within the field of Polish studies, their goals for the grant period, and a brief outline of their research plans. Projects focusing on Polish-American culture and Polish language curriculum development are also welcome. Research should be carried out May 1 - September 1, 2025.
Those awarded grants will be asked either to present a presentation of their work and research during the 2025-26 academic year and/or to write a brief article for inclusion on the CSEEES website.
Prospective applicants are advised to read the PSI Grant Info Sheet before starting the application.
The application is submitted completely online at the link below and should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Applicants should have their supporting documents on hand when they are ready to submit an application as it must be completed at one time. A PSI Grant Preview is available to help applicants prepare the necessary documents.
Grant applications must include:
- Completed Online Application Form;
- A 500-word abstract of the project;
- Itemized research budget, including other sources of funding requested;
- Four- to five-page, double-spaced statement elaborating the purpose, method, anticipated products, and significance of the project;
- Curriculum vitae; and
- For graduate students only, please include a letter from your PhD advisor detailing how this research grant will aid your dissertation research
Applications and letters of support (for graduate students) are due by Friday, February 14, 2025.
For questions about the scholarship or grant competition, please contact PSI program coordinator, Alicia Baca (baca.31@osu.edu).