Investing in
Poland’s Future
Eastport Foundation supports the most talented Polish students in pursuing world-class education. Through merit-based fellowships, we help exceptional individuals develop the knowledge, judgment, and sense of responsibility needed to lead in their chosen fields. Our mission is to enable outstanding Poles to enrich Poland’s public, economic, scientific, intellectual, and cultural life, and to strengthen Poland’s voice and presence on the global stage.
our Mission
Eastport Foundation identifies and invests in exceptional Polish students whose education, leadership, and judgment will shape Poland’s future. We focus on individuals with the capacity to seriously engage in Poland and on the global stage, across public, economic, scientific, technological, intellectual, and cultural life.
Through its merit-based fellowships for Polish students at leading universities worldwide, Eastport Foundation helps remove barriers that limit opportunity and constrain ambition. We support individuals at critical moments of academic and personal development, when education has its greatest capacity to shape judgment, perspective, and long-term contributions.
Over time, Eastport Foundation seeks to strengthen Poland through leadership, ideas, knowledge, culture, creativity, and example — by investing in outstanding Poles whose work will matter and whose influence will reinforce Poland’s voice and presence on the global stage.
Eastport Fellowship
Eastport Foundation selects a group of exceptionally talented individuals from Poland who have been admitted to, or are pursuing, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral studies at leading universities worldwide. Selection is based on merit, intellectual promise, a demonstrated sense of responsibility, and the potential to contribute meaningfully within their chosen fields.
Eastport Fellows receive a one-time fellowship of USD 25,000 in support of their academic path. Eastport Fellowship is designed to provide freedom and focus, allowing recipients to devote themselves fully to their studies and intellectual development at a formative period of their lives.
Impact and Contribution
Eastport Fellows pursue diverse paths across public life, science, culture, technology, and the economy. What unites them is a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and responsible leadership. Eastport Foundation supports those whose work will matter in Poland and beyond.
By enabling outstanding individuals to learn at the highest international standard and return enriched by experience, perspective, and knowledge, Eastport Foundation contributes to a future in which Poland is strengthened through talent, ideas, and example, while Poland’s voice on the global stage is expanded, respected, and sustained.
Founder
Eastport Foundation was founded by Krzysztof Bocian out of a conviction that education at the leading universities worldwide is a powerful force shaping free societies and resilient nations. It reflects his belief that access to such education should be determined by merit rather than circumstance, and that education of this kind carries a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to public, economic, scientific, cultural, and intellectual life — in Poland and in its role on the global stage.
Having grown up in Poland during a period of profound political and economic transformation, Krzysztof witnessed firsthand how freedom, openness, education, and social mobility can shape lives, communities, and nations. His academic path — from Poland to leading universities in the United States — followed by an international career in energy and a subsequent return to Poland to apply that global experience as an entrepreneur, demonstrated how advanced education, rigorous training, and international exposure translate into sound judgment, leadership capacity, and meaningful impact in Poland.
Fellows
Wiktor Babiński
PhD, History - Yale University
Eastport Fellow
Degree
Eastport Fellow
Degree
Eastport Fellow
Degree
Eastport Fellowship Application Process
1
Eligibility
Eastport Fellowship is open to Polish students applying to, or currently pursuing, full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral studies at leading universities worldwide. Candidates are expected to demonstrate:
- Commitment to Poland and its role on the global stage: a genuine interest in Poland’s and its role on the global stage, reflected in academic work, public or community engagement, professional experience, scientific research, or clearly articulated future aspirations.
- Character and leadership potential: integrity, sound judgment, and the capacity to lead responsibly and influence others through ideas, work, or example across academic, public, community, or professional settings.
- Service and contribution: evidence of meaningful contribution — whether large or small — demonstrating care for others, engagement beyond oneself, or efforts to create positive change in Poland and/or internationally.
2
Timing
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. There is no fixed deadline, and no predetermined number of fellowships awarded each year. Each application is considered on its own merits.
3
Requirements
Applicants are required to submit the following materials:
- Proof of current enrollment in, or an official offer of admission to, an eligible Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral program at one of the leading universities worldwide.
- The most recent complete academic transcript.
- A curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages).
- Two letters of recommendation, submitted directly by the recommenders (maximum 1,000 words each).
- A personal statement outlining the applicant’s academic objectives, leadership aspirations, and motivation to apply for Eastport Fellowship (maximum 3,000 words).
- Proof of Polish citizenship (e.g. a copy of a valid Polish passport).
4
Interview
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview with Eastport Fellowship Selection Committee.
- The interview allows candidates to discuss their academic interests, public or professional outlook, and broader aspirations, as well as to reflect on their capacity for leadership and meaningful contribution in Poland or beyond.
5
Results
- Following completion of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will receive formal notification of the outcome.
- Eastport Foundation will contact shortlisted candidates only and does not provide individual feedback at any stage of the process. Applicants who are not contacted should consider their application unsuccessful.
- The names and profiles of awarded Eastport Fellows will be published on Eastport Foundation’s website.
Application form
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible to apply for Eastport Fellowship?
Eastport Fellowship is open to Polish citizens who have been admitted to, or are currently pursuing, full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral studies at leading universities worldwide.
2. Is there an age limit to apply for Eastport Fellowship?
No. There is no formal age limit. Eligibility is determined by enrollment in, or admission to, a full-time degree program at leading universities worldwide.
3. Do I need to be enrolled already, or can I apply with only an offer of admission?
Applicants must have received an official offer of admission or be currently enrolled in a full-time degree program at leading universities worldwide at the time of application. Applications based solely on an intention to apply, a pending decision, or an incomplete admissions process are not eligible for consideration for Eastport Fellowship.
4. When should I apply for Eastport Fellowship?
Candidates may apply as soon as they receive an official offer of admission, at the beginning of their studies, or at any point during their degree program at leading universities worldwide. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and there is no fixed deadline.
5. Are certain fields of study prioritized for Eastport Fellowship?
No. Eastport Fellowship is open to applicants from all academic disciplines at leading universities worldwide. Eastport Foundation welcomes candidates from science, medicine, engineering, technology, the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences, provided they demonstrate exceptional merit, leadership potential, and a clear commitment to contributing meaningfully to Poland’s public, economic, scientific, cultural, or intellectual life.
6. Are certain universities prioritized for Eastport Fellowship?
Yes. Eastport Fellowship supports study at leading universities worldwide recognized for the highest levels of academic excellence and global standing. In general, applicants from institutions that consistently rank among the world’s top universities are more competitive.
7. Is Eastport Fellowship available for part-time or online studies?
No. Eastport Fellowship supports only full-time, in-person Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral studies at leading universities worldwide.
8. Can Eastport Fellowship be combined with other scholarships or financial aid?
Yes. Eastport Fellowship may be combined with other scholarships, grants, or forms of financial aid, provided such arrangements do not conflict with the terms of other funding sources or the policies of the recipient’s university.
9. How much funding does Eastport Fellowship provide?
Eastport Fellowship provides a one-time grant of USD 25,000 to support recipients in pursuing their academic studies and intellectual development.
10. How many Eastport Fellowships are awarded each year?
There is no predetermined number of Eastport Fellowships awarded each year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and awards are determined solely by merit.
11. What qualities does Eastport Fellowship Selection Committee look for in candidates?
Eastport Fellowship Selection Committee looks for candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and sound judgment, as well as the capacity to lead and influence others through ideas, work, or example. Eastport Foundation seeks individuals of strong moral character who show a sense of responsibility for the wider world and clear potential for meaningful contribution across public life, science, technology, culture, or the economy, in Poland and/or internationally.
12. Can I apply more than once if I am not awarded Eastport Fellowship?
Yes. Applicants who are not successful may reapply in future years, provided they meet the eligibility requirements at the time of reapplication.
13. If I receive Eastport Fellowship, can I apply again for another degree program later?
No. Eastport Fellowship is a one-time award and may not be granted more than once to the same individual.
14. Does Eastport Foundation provide feedback on unsuccessful applications?
Eastport Foundation does not provide individual feedback. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted as part of Eastport Fellowship selection process.
15. Is Eastport Fellowship restricted to tuition or specific expenses?
No. Eastport Fellowship is a flexible grant that may be used at the recipient’s discretion in support of academic and intellectual development.
16. Are Eastport Fellows expected to work in politics or public administration?
No. Eastport Fellows pursue diverse paths across science, medicine, technology, the arts, culture, academia, business, and public life. What unites them is not a particular career choice, but a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and meaningful contribution to Poland and its role in the wider world.
17. Are Eastport Fellows required to return to Poland after completing their studies?
No. There is no formal obligation for Eastport Fellows to return to Poland after completing their studies, and they are free to pursue opportunities internationally. At the same time, Eastport Foundation encourages Eastport Fellows to consider contributing their knowledge, experience, and leadership to Poland directly or from abroad.
18. What kinds of contributions are expected from Eastport Fellows?
There is no prescribed form of contribution. The engagement of Eastport Fellows may take many forms across public life, science, technology, culture, academia, or the economy, in Poland and/or internationally.
19. Are Eastport Fellows expected to remain formally involved with Eastport Foundation after receiving the award?
No. There are no formal obligations attached to Eastport Fellowship after it is awarded.
20. Does receiving Eastport Fellowship imply endorsement of specific views or positions?
No. Eastport Foundation does not require Eastport Fellows to adopt or represent any political, ideological, or institutional positions. Eastport Fellowship supports individuals, not viewpoints.
Over the past 30 years, Poland has achieved remarkable progress, transforming from a centrally planned economy into a free, democratic nation with a robust market economy and growing influence in Europe. This progress has been rapid and admirable, yet also uneven, leaving significant social and regional disparities. Economic growth has enabled many individuals to improve their circumstances and has created the material foundation for philanthropy. However, the country still lacks the kind of accessible pathways to leadership that once shaped the great generation of the Polish Enlightenment.
By employing private capital for the betterment of society, we aim to invest in the emerging leaders who will guide Poland toward a brighter future. Aware that such investments in human capital require decades to yield their full return, we are committed to a long-term mission. Inspired by the achievements of the Polish Enlightenment and the Golden Age, our scholarship program will support the global education of highly selected individuals, chosen for their merit and potential, equipping them for lives of leadership and dedicated service to society.
