Scholarship fund – Rafał Brzoska Foundation
About the Fund
The purpose of the Fund is to support exceptionally talented young people driven by ambition, potential and ideas, as well as some proven track of achievements in the chosen field. The scholarship grantees will receive tailor-cut guidance and support to meet all their needs and fulfill their full potential.
Scholarship Competition
The scholarship will be granted to the winners of the second Scholarship Competition. Applications shall be submitted in April 2024.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for true talent. Each and every person will be assessed on the basis of the exact same criteria:
Talent and determination
Our grantees should be industrious, exceptionally talented and able to show proof of their achievements in their chosen field, successful participation in academic competitions, published works, exhibitions, product prototypes, designs, inventions, business plans…
Unique vision
We understand and appreciate the importance of one’s own vision of oneself as an individual but also one's endeavors and innovations (including the social ones) in the various areas of life. Drive and energy to grow on top of a clear plan - this is what counts!
Positive impact
We wish that our grantees have a positive impact on the community, natural environment and the world in general. We are looking for traits and deeds that will bear fruit in the form of the betterment of our existence on the Earth, now and in the future.
Family and economic background
We are particularly keen to help those less privileged - who cannot find traditional support for reasons beyond their control.
Age
We are looking for applicants between the ages of 13 - 25.
13
years old
years old
24
years old
years old
What we offer
The main purpose of the Fund is to provide comprehensive support in the development of young and exceptional individuals. The scholarship assistance will include academic, social, financial and general development support - depending on individual needs and circumstances.
Personal development advisors
– will be appointed to work directly with the grantee. They will analyse and assess the individual needs of the grantee and advise on which scholarship path offered by the Fund to take. They will proactively monitor, support and inspire their protégés in achieving the goals outlined in their personal development plans. The personal development advisor will also work closely with the parents/carers and teachers of the grantee.
Financial support
– depending on the individual situation of the grantee and the development path selected at the outset, the financial support will include covering the costs of:
- tuition fees and other payments related to studies
- accommodation
- transport fares
- textbooks and aids
- specialist courses, conferences and trips
Mentoring
– individual work with a chosen expert suggested by the Foundation to match the development needs of the grantee. The mentors are successful and renowned experts in their fields.
Meetings with the Founder
– regular personal meetings with Rafał Brzoska to inspire and talk about growth, perseverance and overcoming difficulties.
Psychological support
– a team of psychologists will support the grantees whenever necessary.
Foreign languages
– additional classes in English or other languages, preparation for official exams.
Entrepreneurship and innovation
– ability to present one’s ideas, winning support/financing, commercialisation and cooperation.
Individual preparation
– for chosen scholars who would like to develop with international studies in mind.
Regular grantee meetings (summer/winter holidays) including:
- social skills training – communication, cooperation, empathy, exerting influence, manners
- Professional skills training – working methods – design thinking, agile-thinking, public speeches
The Mentoring Board
Olga Brzezińska
Deputy Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and Program Director of the Leadership Academy for Poland. An expert in management, leadership, and strategy, she lectures at the University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University, and the Academy of Theatre Arts in Warsaw. A cultural manager, co-founder, and president of the City of Literature Foundation, she is the originator, co-creator, and organizer of national and international cultural and educational events, a publicist, and the author of the podcast "New State of Concentration". She is a recipient of the Creative Scholarship of the City of Krakow in the field of management and cultural personnel support. A member of the Equal Treatment Council to the Mayor of Krakow in the first and second terms, the Mentoring Council of the Rafał Brzoska Foundation, the Golden Wolves / Released from Theory Award Committee, the Kazimiera Bujwidowa Award Committee, and a mentor in the Vital Voices programs. She is a co-creator of the Executives for Impact initiative, which supports the development of non-governmental organizations.
Jowita Michalska
The President of the Digital University, an organisation focusing on the development of future competencies cooperating with the likes of MiT, Harvard Business School and Stanford. The organisation also helps those less privileged in gaining education in the fields of new technology, digital security, future professions and ecology. Moreover, Jowita is the Polish ambassador of the Singularity University, the principal educational think-tank of Silicon Valley. She has over 20 years of business experience holding key positions at major international organisations such as Polkomtel, PGE and Deloitte.
Maciej Kawecki
Doctor, journalist, promoter of technological knowledge, EU Digital Ambassador, president of the Lem Institute, vice-rector for innovation at WSB University in Warsaw.
Tomasz Rożek
Polish science journalist, physicist, Doctor of Science, populariser of science. Founder of ‘Science, I like it’ Foundation.
Piotr Psyllos
Electronics, programmer, innovator and entrepreneur. As part of his research, invention and business activities, he deals with the use of modern technologies, including applications of artificial intelligence, robots, virtual assistants, human – computer interaction and health protection.
Przemek Staroń
Psychologist, lecturer, educator, author, the Teacher of the Year 2018, member of the Expert Council of the Strategies 2050 Institute.
Iwona Chmura-Rutkowska
Counselor and sociologist. She works at the Faculty of Educational Studies at the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań. Author of studies and books on educational and social mechanisms and consequences of stereotypes, social inequalities and prejudice motivated violence. Member of the Polish Pedagogical Society. Co-founder of the Interdisciplinary Center for Research on Cultural Gender and Identity AMU. She cooperates with state institutions, local governments and non-governmental organizations in the area of equal treatment and social exclusion.
Magdalena Jabłońska
The President of the Foundation for Technology Entrepreneurship. With over 16 years of experience in business consulting, she specialises in the field of methods and strategies of open innovations. She is a mentor and a juror in startup events and acceleration programmes. Her mission is to form the basis for innovation development, create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial forward thinking. She is also involved in building bridges between startups and large established organisations for their mutual benefit.
Krzysztof Kałwak
Professor Krzysztof Kałwak, MD, PhD, the Head of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Department in Wrocław. In 2020, he successfully applied a CAR-T cell therapy in a child with drug-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for the first time in Poland. He is a member of the Board at EBMT Working Party Paediatric Diseases (and Scientific Trials Subcommittee) as well as the Head of its Infectious Diseases Subcommittee. He is also the main researcher at the clinical centre that belongs to the EU funded RECOMB consortium, which introduces autologous gene therapy using hematopoietic stem cells in the treatment of RAG1-SCID patients. In 2022, he was classified as 43rd on the prestigious list of “The Top 100 Most Influential People in the Polish Medical World” compiled by the Puls Medycyny magazine.
Maciej Kawulski
Polish entrepreneur and film director. Co-founder of the Polish Martial Arts Federation, an organization promoting MMA fights.
Krzysztof Kozakiewicz
Co-founder and CEO of two organizations: Conlea and Conlea Conferences, whose mission is to build competencies and support the development of IT managers and specialists. He is the originator and creator of an event called IT Manager of Tomorrow – the largest conference for IT Managers in Poland. With over 20 years of experience in IT management and in the field of education and competency development, gained both as an entrepreneur and while working in international organizations such as Lufthansa and General Electric.
Olga Legosz
Entrepreneur, co-founder of the Success Written with Lipstick Foundation, initiator of the pro-attendance campaign Supporting Women's Success. She operates online as Nomadmum81, consistently building one of the most distinctive profiles on Instagram, followed by over two hundred thousand users. She is also a co-founder of Blue Bees, a preschool for children on the autism spectrum.
Artur Racicki
An entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in developing technology companies, co-founder of SEEDiA, which supports urban mobility with green energy. Mentor of NGOs and startups, advisor to Gallium. Participated in top accelerators: Plug and Play Accelerator (USA), Greentown Labs (USA), K-Startup Grand Challenge (Korea), Vienna-up (Austria), Calling2Scale (Israel), Startup Terrace (Taiwan). Lecturer in MBA studies at the Kozminski University. Completed the Advanced Leadership Program at the Center for Leadership. Laureate of the "Most Creative in Business" ranking (2015, 2017). Experienced in cooperation with investors and Venture Capital funds.