The Institute of Public Finance (IFP) invites students and graduates of Polish universities to participate in the third edition of the Competition for the Best Bachelor’s and Master’s Thesis in Public Finance. The total prize pool amounts to PLN 30,000. Submissions are open until 31 October 2026.
Organised by the Institute of Public Financein cooperation with the Foundation for Economy and Public Administration, the Competition is one of the few initiatives in Poland that systematically promotes high-quality academic research in the field of public finance.
Over the first two editions, a total of 69 theses were submitted from across Poland, representing 20 different universities. Twelve authors received awards or distinctions.
Why is it worth submitting your thesis?
“The Competition is an excellent initiative that promotes a diversity of research approaches and helps overcome stereotypical perceptions of public finance. (…) It confirms that topics extending beyond standard issues in public finance have significant academic value.”
Joanna Niespodziańska, winner of the second edition of the Competition
“From the very beginning, the IFP Competition has been designed as a space for young people who are not only interested in public finance but also have the courage to speak about it in a reliable, analytical and socially responsible manner.”
Patrycja Satora, Co-founder and Vice-President of the Public Finance Institute
Awards
The total prize pool in the third edition amounts to PLN 30,000:
- Best Bachelor’s Thesis – PLN 10,000
- Best Master’s Thesis – PLN 10,000
- Patron’s Award – PLN 10,000 (for the best thesis among all submissions)
Who can participate?
The Competition is open to Bachelor’s and Master’s theses related to public finance that have either already been defended or are scheduled to be defended. Theses written in English are also eligible.
Competition Jury
The submitted theses are evaluated by a jury composed of representatives of academia, public administration and the financial sector, including:
- Prof. Elżbieta Adamowicz – former Director of the Institute of Economic Development at SGH Warsaw School of Economics;
- Dr Sławomir Dudek – Founder of the Institute of Public Finance and Chair of the Fiscal Council;
- Senator Kazimierz Kleina – Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Public Finance;
- Ludwik Kotecki – Member of the Monetary Policy Council;
- Prof. Grzegorz Kuca – Professor at the Chair of Comparative Constitutional Law, Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University.
Patronage and Partners
The Competition is held under the honorary patronage of Senator Kazimierz Kleina, Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Public Finance, and Prof. Piotr Wachowiak, Rector of SGH Warsaw School of Economics.
The Competition is co-organised by the Foundation for Economy and Public Administration.
This year’s partners include Soonly Finance and the Warsaw School of Management.
How to submit a thesis?
Applications can be submitted by completing the online form available on the Competition website:
www.ifp.org.pl/projekt_IFP/konkurs/
The submission deadline is 31 October 2026. The Competition Rules and additional information are available on the Competition website.
Please note: submissions may only be made by the author of the thesis.
Contact for universities and thesis supervisors
Public Finance Institute
konkurs@ifp.org.pl
agnieszka.gratkiewicz@ifp.org.pl
