The consulate posted the call for applications on the Polish government portal gov.pl on Oct. 27, 2026. It is looking for educational, cultural and community projects run by Polonia organizations and Polish schools between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2027, with financial support from the Consulate General of Poland in Chicago.
Who can apply
The call is open to Polonia organizations and Polish schools. The project must take place within the Chicago consular district, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
What kinds of projects qualify
The consulate lists two areas. The first is Polish education abroad: Polish classes and classes taught in Polish, conferences and workshops for teachers, contests, academic olympiads, dictation competitions, sports events, school ceremonies and educational trips, as well as teaching materials, learning aids and books.
The second covers other Polonia activities. Examples include concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, stage performances, theater workshops, author talks and Polish culture days; conferences and seminars; commemorations of historical anniversaries and veterans’ events; materials for Polonia music and sports groups; and publications commemorating the history of Poles abroad, Polonia media, Polonia websites and libraries.
How to apply
Applications must be sent by Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, and only by email to [email protected]. Each submission should include:
- the application form as a Word document, filled out on the consulate’s template,
- a scanned, completed and signed declaration on avoiding double funding (Attachment No. 6).
The forms can be downloaded at the bottom of the announcement page. Attachment No. 8 on personal data protection (GDPR) is posted there as well, though the announcement does not list it among the required items. The consulate asks applicants to fill out every field carefully and in Polish. Groups sending more than one application should rank them in order of importance.
Late or incomplete applications, applications without the required declaration, files in a format other than Word, and emails sent to any other address will not be considered.
How applications are evaluated
Each project should address at least one priority of Poland’s government strategy for cooperation with Polonia and Poles abroad for 2025–2030. The final review and approval rest with the Department for Cooperation with Polonia and Poles Abroad at Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and applicants will be notified of decisions by email.
The announcement does not list funding amounts. It says only that support is limited by the budget the consulate receives each year for cooperation with Polonia.
No advances: settlement after the project
The consulate does not offer advance payments or prefinancing. Spending and reporting are governed by a contract between the consulate and the organization. After the project ends, the organization must submit financial records showing the money was spent as agreed, along with a report on the project.
Key points
- Who: Polonia organizations and Polish schools; projects must take place in the Chicago consular district (11 states).
- What: educational, cultural and community projects held Jan. 1 – June 30, 2027.
- Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.
- How: email only to [email protected] – Word application plus a scan of the signed Attachment No. 6.
- No advances – funds are settled after the project, under a contract.
- Questions: [email protected].
Sources: announcement by the Consulate General of Poland in Chicago, Oct. 27, 2026 (in Polish; forms at the bottom of the page) and the government strategy for cooperation with Polonia and Poles abroad, 2025–2030 (in Polish).
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