Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) 2026 in Poland

The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) is a fellowship opportunity at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. The program is intended for graduate and doctoral students who meet the university’s application requirements. For the 2026 application round, the deadline to submit a complete application is 10 September 2026. Selected applicants must attend an interview in English in September. The fellowship provides financial support, but the official information provided does not state a fixed fellowship amount. The available funds will be confirmed later. Students should carefully prepare their application and check the latest information from Jagiellonian University before applying.

SYLFF Fellowship 2026 at a Glance

Information	Details
Country	Poland
University	Jagiellonian University
City	Kraków
Fellowship	Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF)
Study level	Graduate and doctoral students
Application deadline	10 September 2026
Interview	September 2026
Interview language	English
Fellowship amount	Not stated in the official information
Funding status	Fellowship funding; not confirmed as fully funded
Application method	Submit the complete application to the SYLFF Coordinator
Fund transfer	By the end of February 2027

What Is the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund?

The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund, also known as SYLFF, is a fellowship program available through Jagiellonian University in Poland.

The fellowship is connected with the university’s international cooperation activities. The application process includes document submission and an interview for selected candidates.

The university states that the exact amount of fellowship funding available for the relevant year is communicated later. Therefore, applicants should not assume a specific scholarship amount before the university confirms it.

Who Can Apply for the SYLFF Fellowship?

The information provided by Jagiellonian University states that the procedures apply to graduate and doctoral students.

The official information provided here does not give a complete list of nationality requirements, age limits, academic grades, English-language test scores, or other academic conditions.

Applicants should therefore check the latest official qualifications page and application instructions before submitting their documents.

Am I Eligible?

You may be able to apply if:

• You are a graduate student or doctoral student covered by the program.
• You can submit the required application documents before the deadline.
• You can take part in the required interview if selected.
• You can attend the interview in English.
• You can provide the documents required by the SYLFF Coordinator.

The official information provided does not state an age limit, minimum GPA, IELTS score, TOEFL score, or specific nationality requirement.

SYLFF Fellowship Benefits

The main confirmed benefit is fellowship funding for successful applicants.

According to the official information, the exact amount of funding available is communicated to Jagiellonian University later in the application cycle.

Important points include:

• Financial fellowship support is provided to successful applicants.
• The exact fellowship amount is not stated in the provided official information.
• Transfer fees are paid by Jagiellonian University.
• The money is transferred in the currency of the applicant’s bank account.
• Fellowship funds are expected to reach Jagiellonian University by the end of February 2027.
• The fellowship must normally be completed by 30 September of the year following the year in which it was granted.

The official information does not confirm free accommodation, airfare, health insurance, or a monthly stipend. These benefits should not be assumed.

How Much Does the SYLFF Fellowship Provide?

The official information does not give a fixed fellowship amount.

Jagiellonian University states that the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. will inform the university about the exact amount of fellowship funding available.

Successful applicants can receive a formal statement confirming the fellowship. The exact amount may be included once it is known.

For this reason, applicants should check the latest official announcement for the final funding amount.

Is the SYLFF Fellowship Fully Funded?

The provided official information does not describe SYLFF as a fully funded scholarship.

It confirms that fellowship funds are available for successful applicants, but it does not provide enough information to say that all study and living costs are covered.

Applicants should wait for the official confirmation of the fellowship amount and conditions before considering it a fully funded opportunity.

Does SYLFF Require IELTS or TOEFL?

The provided information does not mention an IELTS or TOEFL requirement.

However, the fellowship interview is conducted in English. The interview is a required part of the selection process for candidates invited to the interview.

Applicants should check the latest official application instructions for any language requirements that may apply.

Can International Students Apply?

The information provided does not clearly state a nationality requirement.

Because of this, applicants should not assume that all international students are eligible based only on the information above.

Students from outside Poland should check the official SYLFF qualifications and application information at Jagiellonian University before applying.

Required Documents

The official information states that applicants must submit a complete and officially appropriate application form.

A letter of recommendation is an exception because it can be submitted separately.

The provided information also refers to an original invitation, which may be submitted later, no later than the interview.

Based only on the information provided, applicants should be prepared for:

• Complete application form
• Letter of recommendation
• Original invitation, where applicable

The complete list of required documents is not included in the information provided. Applicants should check the official Required Documents section before preparing their application.

Application Deadline for SYLFF 2026

The application deadline is:

10 September 2026

This is the final deadline for submitting a complete application to the SYLFF Coordinator in the International Relations Office at Jagiellonian University.

Incomplete applications will not normally be accepted. The official information makes an exception for the letter of recommendation, which may be submitted separately.

No documents will be accepted after the stated deadline, except for the original invitation, which may be submitted no later than the interview.

What Happens After You Apply?

The selection process includes several stages.

1. Application submission

Applicants must submit their complete application before 10 September 2026.

2. Interview selection

A few days before the interview, the SYLFF Coordinator will contact applicants who submitted complete and officially appropriate applications.

The university will send an email to candidates who qualify for the interview.

3. Interview

Selected candidates will have an interview in September.

The interview will be conducted in English, and participation in the interview is required for the application to be considered.

4. Selection result

After the SYLFF Steering Committee meeting, successful applicants will be informed by email.

5. Fellowship confirmation

Successful candidates will also receive formal information about the fellowship.

The university will later provide information about the available fellowship funding.

How to Apply for the SYLFF Fellowship

Applicants should follow the application instructions provided by Jagiellonian University.

The basic process is:

1. Review the official qualifications and required documents.
2. Prepare the complete application form.
3. Prepare the required supporting documents.
4. Submit the application before 10 September 2026.
5. Make sure the application is complete and officially appropriate.
6. Wait for the interview selection email.
7. Attend the interview in English if selected.
8. Wait for the final fellowship decision.

Applications should be submitted to the SYLFF Coordinator in the International Relations Office, Czapskich 4, room 26.

When Will the Fellowship Money Be Transferred?

The University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. is expected to transfer the SYLFF funds to Jagiellonian University by the end of February 2027.

Students who plan to leave during the first semester should be aware that the funds may arrive later in the academic period.

Before receiving the money, successful applicants must complete the required procedure with the university.

The applicant must submit a Mobility Application Form signed by the Dean of the Faculty or the Head of the Doctoral School to the Center for International Cooperation.

The form should be submitted at least 10 days before the planned departure.

After the form is signed by the Vice-Rector for International Relations, the fellowship money will be transferred to the applicant’s bank account.

What Should Fellows Do After Returning?

Fellows have responsibilities after completing their visit.

Within 14 days after returning, fellows must submit a report to the JU SYLFF Program Coordinator.

The report must be submitted in two signed copies. The official information also states that expenses should be listed in USD and bills do not need to be submitted.

The report should also include written confirmation from the receiving institution showing the dates of the visit.

Travel documents such as boarding passes, train or bus tickets, or the required form for travel by car must also be submitted.

How Long Is the Fellowship Valid?

The fellowship should normally be completed by 30 September of the year following the year in which the fellowship was granted.

If necessary, an extension may be possible until the end of the calendar year.

The extension requires a written request to the Chair of the SYLFF Steering Committee and approval from the Chair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the SYLFF Fellowship?

The provided information states that the fellowship procedures apply to graduate and doctoral students. Other eligibility requirements should be checked on the official qualifications page.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline for the 2026 application round is 10 September 2026.

Is the SYLFF Fellowship fully funded?

The official information provided does not confirm that the fellowship is fully funded. It confirms fellowship funding, but the exact amount and full coverage are not stated.

How much money does the fellowship provide?

The exact amount is not stated in the provided information. Jagiellonian University will receive information about the available fellowship fund from the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc.

Is IELTS required?

The provided information does not state an IELTS requirement. However, the interview is conducted in English.

Is TOEFL required?

No TOEFL requirement is stated in the information provided. Applicants should check the latest official requirements for any language conditions.

Can international students apply?

The information provided does not clearly state the nationality requirements. International applicants should check the official SYLFF qualifications before applying.

What documents are required?

A complete application is required. A letter of recommendation is also mentioned and may be submitted separately. The complete document list should be checked on the official Required Documents page.

Is an interview required?

Yes. Candidates selected for the interview must attend an interview in English. The interview is a required part of the application process.

When will the fellowship money be available?

The University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. is expected to transfer the fellowship funds to Jagiellonian University by the end of February 2027. The money is then transferred to successful applicants after the required university procedure is completed.

Official Website

For the latest eligibility rules, required documents, application instructions, and updates, applicants should use the official Jagiellonian University SYLFF website.

Official source: Jagiellonian University – The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund

Jagiellonian University official website

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