The University of Rzeszów has received funding in the amount of PLN 399,360 for the implementation of a three-year project entitled “NAWA EURAXESS Podkarpackie Network”. The initiative aims to establish an integrated regional structure to support the mobility and integration of international researchers and doctoral students coming to the Podkarpackie region. The decision to award the grant was made on 9 May this year as part of a call launched by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).

The project will run from 2025 to 2028, with the University of Rzeszów acting as the lead institution and coordinator of all activities.

A Joint Initiative of Seven Regional Universities

In addition to the University of Rzeszów, the project brings together six other higher education institutions from the Podkarpackie region:

• Rzeszów University of Technology (named after Ignacy Łukasiewicz)
• Bronisław Markiewicz State University of Applied Sciences in Jarosław
• Prof. Stanisław Tarnowski State University of Applied Sciences in Tarnobrzeg
• State University of Applied Sciences in Krosno
• State University of Applied Sciences in Przemyśl
• Jan Grodek State University in Sanok

This collaboration will result in the creation of a coherent regional model for supporting foreign researchers conducting academic work in southeastern Poland.

Comprehensive Support and Regional Promotion

The project outlines a wide range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of services provided to international scholars, fostering academic integration, and promoting the scientific and research potential of the Podkarpackie region. Key components of the initiative include:

• Project management training (PM² methodology) – to improve the competencies of university staff in implementing international initiatives.
• A series of 12 networking breakfasts – designed to strengthen ties among universities, public administration, and the business sector.
• Development of a dedicated online platform for the regional EURAXESS network – offering practical information for foreign researchers and PhD students.
• A promotional and informational materials package – including guides, brochures, and promotional videos showcasing the region and its academic offer.
• A strategy and monitoring system – to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the solutions introduced.

Institutional Support and Collaboration

The project will benefit from the active involvement of the Podkarpackie Centre for the Integration of Foreigners, operating under the Regional Labour Office in Rzeszów. The Centre will provide a broad range of support services to project participants, including:

• Polish language courses
• Career and psychological counselling
• Legal assistance
• Diploma recognition
• Social and educational integration of third-country nationals

These measures will help international researchers adjust more easily to their new professional environment and accelerate their integration into the local community.

Towards a Lasting Model of Collaboration

The “NAWA EURAXESS Podkarpackie Network” is the first initiative of its kind in the region to address, in a systematic way, the challenges of internationalising higher education.

“This project will lay a solid foundation for the professional support of international researchers and PhD candidates, while also strengthening the Podkarpackie region’s position on the academic map of Europe. It provides an opportunity to build long-term partnerships between universities and the region’s institutional and economic environment,”
emphasizes Professor Jolanta Szempruch, Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations at the University of Rzeszów.

A New Standard in Mobility Services

The project is expected to improve both the quality and efficiency of administrative services for foreign researchers and contribute to the professional development of university staff. Moreover, it will promote the Podkarpackie region as an open and welcoming environment for research and innovation.

The EURAXESS network established under this initiative is intended not only as a temporary solution during the project lifespan but as a permanent component of the regional academic mobility support system.