Following the higher education and science reform of 2018, Poland has transformed its doctoral education replacing PhD studies (3rd cycle studies) with doctoral schools. First PhD candidates will start their 4-year education in the newly created schools as of October this year.
The schools can be set up by individual universities, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences and research institutes or jointly by several such institutions in collaboration with private companies or/and foreign institutions. They can offer programmes in a single research discipline or interdisciplinary programmes. Education in the schools will be free-of-charge and all the PhD candidates will receive monthly scholarships in the amount of nearly PLN 2400 (about EUR 570) for the first 2 years and after a positive mid-term assessment over PLN 3600 (about EUR 850) for the remaining 2 years. The scholarships will be tax-free but social security contributions will be paid obligatorily which gives the PhD candidates certain social priviliges as in the case of employees.
Recruitment to the schools is competitive and detailed rules are set up individually by each school. It will include evaluation of the research project, candidate's research and work experience, CV, publications, etc. remotely or during an interview.
Information on the schools should be checked at the websites of the above-mentioned institutions.