The digital transformation of education is gaining momentum, and modern technologies are becoming an integral part of the daily work of teachers and students. The year 2026 brings another opportunity for primary schools, secondary schools, and kindergartens to obtain significant funds from the government education digitalization program, "Digital Student" ("Cyfrowy Uczeń").
In this article, we have gathered a complete compendium of knowledge: from key deadlines and amounts to practical tips on how to prepare a flawless application and avoid common mistakes.
We explain what the granted funds can be used for—from modern equipment to AI-based solutions—and which documents, led by the School Digital Transformation Program (PCTS), are absolutely required to obtain financing. At the same time, we offer our full substantive and technical support to help you navigate the entire application process smoothly and stress-free.
What is the "Digital Student" Program?
"Digital Student" is a strategic government initiative planned for 2025–2029, whose primary goal is the comprehensive support of digital competencies for students and teachers.
The program goes beyond the framework of simple equipment purchasing, focusing on the effective integration of modern teaching aids—including Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions—into the daily educational process. The initiative places particular emphasis on a holistic change in teaching methodology, promoting digital hygiene, project-based work, and developing the creativity and agency of the younger generation.
2026 application schedule – when to apply?
There is little time to prepare the necessary documentation, so adhering strictly to the designated deadlines is crucial. The following schedule applies in 2026:
- May 15, 2026 – The final deadline for school directors (primary and secondary) and preschool education units to submit a completed application to their governing body (usually the municipality or county/powiat).
- May 30, 2026 – The final deadline for governing bodies (Local Government Units - JST) to verify directors' applications and submit a collective application for financial support to the relevant Voivode.
- June 15, 2026 – By this day, Voivodes appoint teams to qualify the submitted applications in terms of formal and substantive requirements.
- By July 31, 2026 – Transfer of financial support to the accounts of the governing bodies.
For schools and units managed by relevant ministries, the application deadline for directors is also May 15, with final qualification closing by June 15.
Who is "Digital Student" for in 2026 and what are the priorities?
According to the resolution, governing bodies of public and non-public education system units, including primary schools, secondary schools, preschool education units, and specialized facilities, can apply for support.
Important Qualification Rule for 2026: The qualification rule is based on absolute priority for public sector institutions. According to the regulations, in this year's recruitment, financial support will first be granted exclusively to public preschools, public schools, and public educational institutions.
Due to specific budget frameworks (55 million PLN has been allocated for 2026), additional selection criteria have been introduced. If the total amount requested by all qualified public units exceeds the planned budget, qualifying teams will apply the socio-network exclusion index for a given county.
In practice, this means funds will first go to those public preschools and schools located in counties with the highest value of this index. The index takes into account factors such as access to high-speed internet, unemployment rates, local government income, and education spending. If selection is still necessary after applying the index, the teams may ultimately consider the date of application submission.
Funding amounts and required own contribution – how much can you expect?
The amount of support a school can apply for is strictly dependent on the number of students attending the facility on the day the application is submitted.
For primary and secondary schools, the maximum support amounts (state budget grants) are as follows:
- Schools up to 100 students: up to 30,000 PLN
- Schools with 101 to 300 students: up to 45,000 PLN
- Schools with 301 to 600 students: up to 60,000 PLN
- Schools with 601 to 1000 students: up to 75,000 PLN
- Schools with over 1000 students: up to 100,000 PLN
For preschool education units, the amounts range from 15,000 PLN (up to 100 children) to a maximum of 45,000 PLN (over 200 children). Other educational institutions can apply for a fixed maximum amount of 75,000 PLN.
Own Contribution: A necessary condition for receiving support is the governing body providing an own contribution of at least 20% of the total task cost. This contribution can be financial or in-kind (e.g., computer equipment purchased in the year of application).
What can "Digital Student" funds be spent on?
According to the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of September 17, 2025, the acquired financial support can be spent on a specific catalog divided into hardware and tool modules.
Investments in Schools (Primary, Secondary, and Art Schools)
- Modern Computer Equipment: Purchase of brand-new devices, or modernization of existing resources, including desktops, laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets.
- Supportive and STEAM Equipment: Interactive monitors, educational robots, microcontrollers, and VR/AR sets. Funds can also cover infrastructure like charging cabinets or docking stations.
- Software, AI, and Cloud: Licenses and subscriptions, specifically software utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI). Funding also covers digital educational materials, cloud space, and remote management systems.
- Support for Special Educational Needs (SEN): Specialized equipment and software to remove barriers to learning.
- Infrastructure and KPO Continuation: Modernization of school LAN networks and adapting STEM/AI labs previously acquired from the National Recovery Plan (KPO) program.
- Vocational Education: Specialist tools and software necessary for learning specific professions.
Important Restrictions for Preschools
In preschool units, regulations introduce a significant caveat: funds for computer equipment, software, and e-materials can be intended exclusively for the teacher's professional use. Using these tools for direct work with children is permissible only in the case of classes for pupils with special educational needs.
More than just "pure" hardware: Installation and training included
The regulation requires suppliers to not only deliver but also install, launch, and fully integrate the equipment with the school's existing infrastructure. Crucially, the supplier must provide technical training for teachers. The costs of these services are already included in the package prices.
Key formal requirements – update SIO and remember the "5-hour rule"
To be considered, a school must meet key eligibility conditions:
- SIO System Update: It is mandatory to update data in the Educational Information System (SIO) regarding held computer equipment (including devices from the KPO program) before submitting documents.
- Use of ZPE: Schools must actively use the Integrated Educational Platform (ZPE).
- The 5-Hour Rule (Crucial Condition!): The school commits to using modern technologies in every school branch for at least 5 lesson hours per week across various subjects. Failure to meet this creates a significant audit risk.
School Digital Transformation Program (PCTS) – the heart of your application
The PCTS is a mandatory attachment. Its absence or errors result in immediate rejection. A correctly constructed PCTS for 2026–2029 must follow a logical chain: Diagnosis → Goals → Actions → Purchases.
What must be included in the PCTS document?
- Current State Diagnosis: An inventory of hardware, network bandwidth, staff competencies, and the actual (not just declared) use of ICT in non-IT lessons.
- Strategic Goals: Must align with the National Policy for Digital Transformation of Education (PCTE), emphasizing AI tools and project-based methods.
- Teacher Competency Development: A plan for staff support (e.g., mentoring by the School Digital Education Coordinator).
- Cybersecurity: Addressing digital hygiene, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and backups.
- Infrastructure and Equipment: A justified description of planned purchases based on the earlier diagnosis.
How to simplify the application process? Ready-made packages and templates
As an official technology partner of Google and Microsoft, we offer free, ready-made materials to facilitate your application:
- Pre-filled Application Templates (Application C): Ready-made cost estimates for each funding threshold, including Windows laptop packages (with AI licenses) and Chromebook packages with Google Gemini Education.
- Universal PCTS Template: A template that meets all strict Ministry guidelines, connecting diagnosis with goals and cybersecurity.
All our quotes automatically include the costs of implementation and mandatory technical training.
We invite you to take advantage of our free consultations to help you select the optimal equipment and calculate own contribution amounts. If you have questions regarding 2026 requirements or integration with existing KPO devices—our team of experts is at your disposal.