PSI Grant and Scholarship Competitions

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 the amount of $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 application window for the 2024 PSI grant and scholarship competitions is now closed. Please check back in autumn 2024 for information on the 2025 competitions.

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 2024 (any session of the summer term April 30 - August 4, 2024), 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 the amount of $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:

  1. 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;
  2. Undergraduate students must be in good academic standing (3.2 GPA or higher); and
  3. Graduate students must be pre-candidacy, still in coursework, and have no outstanding incompletes.

Prospective applicants should 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:

  1. An Online Application Form; 
  2. A one-page, single-spaced Statement of Intent, uploaded in the Online Application Form;
  3. OSU Advising Report and transcripts from other institutions, uploaded in the Online Application Form; and
  4. Budget Estimate section within the Online Application Form.

Applications are due by Friday, February 16, 2024.

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, 2024.

Those awarded grants will be asked either to present a presentation of their work and research during the 2024-25 academic year and/or to write a brief article for inclusion on the CSEEES website. 

Prospective applicants should 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 16, 2024.

Since starting in 2012, PSI has awarded 37 scholarships for over $25,000 in student funding!

2023

  • Wynne Poticher, Anthropology and Psychology

2022

  • Joseph Ernst, Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies

2019

  • Emma Brzezinski, Anthropology
  • Rachita Puri, Aerospace Engineering
  • Ekaterina Tikhonyuk, Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
  • Alexander Vaeth, Material Science and Engineering
  • Ethan Weiland, Sociology

2018

  • Amanda Heath, Speech and Hearing
  • Sarah Holbert, Political Science
  • Austin Karr, Aerospace Engineering
  • Riley Sayers, International Studies

2017

  • Andrew Parra, Sociology
  • Jason Scheele, Aerospace Engineering
  • Jake Tischler, Criminology

2016

  • Karolina Chimchenko, Center for Slavic and East European Studies
  • Alyssa Neville, Criminology and Russian
  • Lauren Sayers, Pre-Law

2015

  • Nicole Freeman, History
  • Nathan Lackey, Mechanical Engineering

2014

  • Daniel Arch, Mechanical Engineering
  • Nicole Freeman, History
  • Michael Haupt, Biochemistry 
  • Sarah Katz, Film Studies
  • Polina Zvavitch, Sociology

2013

  • Meagan Chandler
  • Adriana Matusiewicz
  • Lauren Barbour
  • Lauren Bedal
  • Maddie Duncan 
  • Halyey Mehalik
  • Corinne Rubright
  • Carina Carpenter 
  • Katie Huston
  • Katherine Kamykowski
  • Rebecca Molnar
  • Michael Moser
  • Keegan Scott
  • Laveena Sehgal

Since starting in 2012, PSI has awarded 15 grants to OSU faculty and post-candidacy PhD students, totaling over $20,000 in funding!

2023

  • Naomi Brenner, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures
  • Mara Frazier, Curator of Dance in Special Collections and Area Studies at The Ohio State University Libraries

2022

  • Julia Keblinska, External faculty fellow at OSU's Global Arts and Humanities Society of Fellows

2019

  • Rebecca Mayus, Department of Anthropology

2017

  • Nicole Freeman, Department of History

2016

  • Izolda Woiski-Moskoff, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

2015

  • Dr. Angela Brintlinger, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
  • Dr. Helena Goscilo, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
  • Dr. Karen Mozingo, Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts

2014

  • Peter Tunkis, Department of Political Science
  • Izolda Woiski-Moskoff, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

2013

  • Ian Johnson, Department of History
  • Paul Niebrzydowski, Department of History
  • Justin Wilmes, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
  • Izolda Woiski-Moskoff, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

For questions about the scholarship or grant competition, please contact CSEEES' assistant director, Emma Pratt (pratt.124@osu.edu) or PSI program coordinator, Alicia Baca (baca.31@osu.edu).