The objective of the program, implemented since 2000, is to share Polish experiences in transformation and European integration with representatives from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia during two-semester complementary studies at Polish universities. The program is currently addressed to candidates from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus as well as Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Each year, the program is participated by approx. 45 scholarship holders. Between 2000 and 2018, 789 scholarship holders coming from 11 countries completed the program.
Under individual study programs, the scholarship holders study selected aspects of economics and management, public administration and business, law, social and political sciences, journalism, NGO management and culture management.
The program begins with an introductory course, the purpose of which is to provide students with and systematize their knowledge of the history as well as current political, social and economic situation of Poland. Kirkland scholarship holders then proceed with their individually-programmed studies at universities in Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław and Lublin. They prepare their end-of-term papers and diploma dissertations under the supervision of academic tutors.
They also participate in integration meetings, thematic integration gatherings and have traineeships at state institutions (including the Supreme Court, the National Bank of Poland and regional marshal offices) as well as non-governmental organizations. Courses on civic project implementation and teamwork supplement the curriculum.
In September 2016, the Kirkland Research Program, a new project was launched. It offers a one-semester research internship for people with established scholarly positions who come from countries covered by the program. Individual work under the eye of an academic tutor should result in a scientific article written by the intern.
Each year, the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program is participated in by approximately 45 people.
Between 2000 and 2018, 789 scholarship holders coming from 11 countries completed the program.
Of that number 433 were from Ukraine, 147 from Belarus, 54 from Georgia, 48 from Russia, 29 from Armenia, 22 from Moldova, 18 from Kazakhstan, 12 from Lithuania, 10 from Slovakia, 8 from Kyrgyzstan and 8 from Azerbaijan. The majority of scholarship holders studied economics and management, and law as well as social science, journalism, political science, and international relations. Academic staff have accounted for the largest professional group followed by public officials and experts.
Following the program’s completion, contact with graduates is regularly maintained thanks to the bulletin, reunions of graduates and the website www.kirkland.edu.pl. The alumni conferences, held every 4 years, help to maintain graduates’ contacts with Poland and establish new contacts. They also make the opportunity to broaden the Kirklanders’ knowledge of Poland and the European Union and discuss possible directions of transformation that shall take place in the countries of the Region. Former scholarship holders are supported by the Coordinator of Post-Scholarship Projects whose task it is to maintain graduates’ contacts with Poland and encourage them to undertake joint initiatives such as graduates’ associations.
In the years 2001-2013, the program was managed by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. Then, until 2016 the Manager of the program was the Education for Democracy Foundation.
The Foundation has disbursed $13,593,142, including $427,189 for the current edition of the program.
