The allocated funds come - traditionally - from donations collected at the previous WUT Christmas Fair.

This year, as many as 112 people applied for the Christmas Grant. The number of applications, but also their quality, made the choice extremely difficult. Eventually, the laureates include:

Tomasz Kołakowski

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering. He has been heavily involved in the WUT Racing Student Research Group for the past two years. He is currently the coordinator of the suspension department. In 2024, the WUT-5 car won several awards (2^nd place in the Endurance category at the Formula Student EAST competition, 3^rd place in the Acceleration category at the Formula Student Poland competition). In his spare time he tinkers, attends climbing walls and renovates his flat.

Yelyzaveta Leshchenko

A student at the Faculty of Mechatronics, with a commitment to developing both academically and in scientific activities. An active member of the Photonic Engineering Student Research Group, supporting initiatives popularising science and promoting the Warsaw University of Technology. As a leader of the GrowLight team, she is implementing the LASPA project, optimising plant cultivation in microgravity conditions. Outside the university, she develops a passion for space - she is an analogue astronaut and participated in the largest analogue space mission.

Piotr Mazowiecki

A student at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, passionate about popularising aviation. Since the beginning of his studies, he has been involved in the Aviation Students’ Research Group, where he has dealt with projects related to simulators and gliders, and is currently holding the position of president. He can also boast his participation in a project in cooperation with the Boeing company to improve the safety of flight crews, and he deals with similar topics professionally. As a glider pilot in the WUT national team, he has twice won the Polish academic team vice-championship in landing accuracy.

Magdalena Miętus

A PhD student at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Warsaw University of Technology in the BioTechMed team, specialising in obtaining new polymeric biomaterials with potential application in 3D bioprinting and medicine. Winner of the nationwide Drive Innovation and Talents of Tomorrow II competitions, MEiN scholarship holder (2022/2023), actively involved in research projects and international scientific conferences. In 2023/2024 she led a Science Volunteer Service for students. She loves to spend her free time with friends, discovering gastronomic gems in Warsaw or catching up on new films and serials. Privately, she is passionate about football and a faithful supporter of FC Barcelona.

Monika Modrzyńska

A student at the Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Since the beginning of her studies, she has been involved in the activities of the CMYK Students’ Research Group, in which she served as president in 2022-2023. On behalf of students, she was elected Rector and Dean elector for the term 2024-2028. She actively promotes the Warsaw University of Technology during various initiatives such as Open Doors or workshops for children. She is an intern in the Department of Printed Electronics, Textronics and Assembly at WUT CEZAMAT. In her free time, she loves cooking and spending time with her loved ones.

Błażej Molas

A student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, he has been involved in the activities of the WUT Racing Students’ Research Group since the beginning of his studies. As a coordinator of the electronics department, he co-created the project of the hybrid propulsion system and wiring harness of the WUT-6 car. He represented the Warsaw University of Technology during such events as the Night at the Aviation Institute, the Transformation Festival or the Warsaw Motor Show, and at Formula Student competitions in Croatia, Poland and Hungary. In his spare time a fan of sport and motoring.

Mikołaj Nowicki

A PhD student and previously a student of the Faculty of Chemistry. From 2019 until the completion of his Master's degree, he was associated with the Chemical Research Group "Phlogiston". Participated in chemistry demonstrations for the general public and workshops directed to primary school students. He has represented the Warsaw University of Technology at events such as the Warsaw High School Graduation Salon, the WUT Open Day and the Mathematics Popularisation Day. In his free time he enjoys travelling and reading adventure books.

Marcin Płatek

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering. Long-time member of the WUT Racing Research Group, serving as a team leader for the second consecutive year. One of the pillars of the continuous development of the KN WUT Racing, crowned by winning podium places in the Formula Student competition in 2024. Actively involved in the design and development of the vehicle's aerodynamic package, the acquisition and implementation of research grants, and the popularisation of science. As a member and then team leader, he represented the Warsaw University of Technology at competitions in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Croatia and Hungary. In his spare time a fan of motoring, sport and history.

Rafał Pyżalski

A student at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, he has been passionately active in the Students’ Self-Government since the beginning of his studies. Former President of the PW Students' Self-Government, he is tirelessly involved in volunteers such as the Noble Parcel, WOŚP or DKMS. Represents WUT on the national arena in the Forum of Technical Universities and the Polish Students' Parliament. He teaches young people about programming and physics, inspiring at Academic Science Camps. In her free time, she sails on lakes and discovers the beauty of the Tatra and the Bieszczady Mountains.

Marek Rauchfleisz

A student of the Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science. Winner of the gold medal of the International Invention Innovation Competition iCAN and the Canadian Special Award of Excellence. He was the only Pole to participate in the first conference organised by the European Space Agency, dedicated to applications of artificial intelligence in the space sector at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. He was awarded the title of Innovation Ambassador for representing the country internationally at innovation and invention exhibitions, where he has so far won eight medals. In addition to his many scientific interests, he is involved in important community events and activities.

Piotr Sieczka

A second-cycle student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science. Represents the Warsaw University of Technology at events such as the Warsaw High School Graduates' Salon, Open Doors and Museum Night, and assists with events such as the PP-RAI 2024 conference. He is also active in the Independent Students' Union at the Warsaw University of Technology, where he is involved in charitable and cultural events, including the WOŚP (The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity) and the December Academic Art Review. He also runs a lab on programming 1 for first-year students.

Olgierd Skromak

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering. Since the beginning of his studies, he has been an active member of the Student Astronautical Association, where he is involved in rocket development and simulation programmes. Currently coordinator of the FOK vision-guided rocket project. Took first place in the Mathworks Minidrone Competition Poland 2024. Passionate about science, cosmonautics and games. In his spare time, a photographer.

Viktoriia Vlasenko

MSc student at the Faculty of Physics and participant of individual ID studies organised by the Centre for Advanced Studies. The winner of the New Technologies for Women - Ukraine programme, organised by the Perspektywy Foundation and Intel. In 2024, she published an article in MDPI Materials, summarising her engineering work, and presented her research results at the University of Warsaw Young Scientists Symposium. In 2023, she participated in the CERN Summer Student Programme, carrying out a project in the BCM Prime team at ATLAS. In 2022-2023, she was a member of the robotics section of the Students’ Astronautical Research Group and collaborated on the construction of the Mars rover. In her spare time she enjoys long-distance swimming and travelling.

Tomasz Żebrowski

A student of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology. Passionate about robotics. Since the beginning of his studies, he has been active in the Students’ Astronautical Research Group, where he develops the Sirius II Mars rover project. He has represented the WUT at numerous competitions and popular science events. Enthusiast of technology, handicrafts and a keen traveller.

The Christmas Grant was awarded for the ninth time this year. A total of 94 people are already among the winners.