The project will be officially launched on 27 March 2026 during a meeting of representatives of the three universities, academic administration and international scientists working in Łódź. The event symbolically inaugurates a collaboration that will transform the way the region welcomes researchers from around the world – from their first contact with the university to their daily lives in Poland.
A unified voice for Łódź science
The project has been created in response to growing scientific mobility and the need to create a coherent support system for international researchers and doctoral students. In practice, this means building a regional network of services that will help scientists navigate their new environment – both professionally and personally.
– The implementation of the 'Lodzkie for International Researchers' project is a major step towards professionalising support for international researchers in the Łódź region. For all three universities, this entails strengthening the institutional potential for internationalisation and academic integration – emphasises dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, the University of Lodz Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of Science and Education.
The project will be implemented until September 2028 and will include activities that will significantly improve the work and living conditions of scientists coming to Łódź.
Scientist at the centre
One of the main goals of the project is to create a unified system for supporting international researchers at three universities. The initiative will include:
- common administrative standards for the employment and support of international researchers,
- the Mobile Researcher Assistant service, providing support in matters related to the legalisation of stay and employment,
- the "International Researcher's Stay Essentials" – a practical guide to living and working in Łódź,
- integration and matchmaking events for the international academic community,
- activities that also support the families of scientists, who often relocate with them.
This approach is consistent with the idea of modern internationalisation of universities: a scientist is not only a participant in a research project, but also part of the academic and urban community.
Cooperation instead of competition
The project is also an example of the Lodz Academic Partnership in practice. The region's three largest universities are combining their experiences, resources and expertise to create solutions that will benefit the entire scientific community.
The cooperation encompasses not only the research teams but also administrative staff responsible for international mobility – from HR and payroll departments to welcome points for international guests.
During the project's inaugural workshops, they will jointly analyse the challenges associated with serving international employees and develop solutions that will become standard across the region.
A region friendly to international career
The initiative is implemented within the European EURAXESS network, which supports the mobility of researchers across Europe. Thanks to the project, Łódź has the potential to become one of the important regional hubs of this network.
In the long term, the project aims to increase the recognition of the Łódź Voivodeship as a place where one can develop an international scientific career, conduct research and build research teams.
The University of Lodz, as the project coordinator, is thus strengthening its role as a regional centre of competence in the internationalisation of science.
Humane University
Although the project focuses on procedures, standards and strategies, its core lies in its people – international researchers who come to Łódź with ideas, experience and a passion for science but also with everyday questions about life in a new country.
Therefore, one of the first steps of the project will be to listen to their needs. International scientists working at Łódź universities will also speak at the inauguration. Their experiences will become the starting point for designing new solutions.
Because internationalisation doesn't start with documents. It starts with honest conversation.
“Lodz for International Researchers” is funded by the European Union under the programme of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange NAWA – Euraxess Network (2024 call).
Source: Employee Affairs Centre, University of Lodz
Edit: Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz
