The international “Ambassador of Polish History” award is an honorary distinction established by the IPN’s President. It is granted to individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding contribution to commemorating the history of the Polish Nation and supporting the IPN in its statutory activities in the field of research and education. The “Ambassador of Polish History” is a continuation of the “Witness to History” award for non-Polish individuals and organizations, which was granted from 2015–2022.

Nominations are welcomed for individuals and institutions active outside Poland and especially involved in cultivating Polish historical memory, committed to preserving, promoting and enhancing the knowledge of the recent history of Poland, and to uncovering forgotten facts and persons who have rendered great services to the Polish Nation. Posthumous decoration may also be requested.

Award proposal should include: information about the candidate, a description of the merits that may constitute ground for granting the distinction, and copies of any documents certifying the candidate’s achievements that are available to the applicant. The proposal should include a statement of consent by the nominee (not applicable to candidates proposed posthumously).

The description (up to three pages long) should include actions aimed at cultivating historical remembrance of Poland and Poles outside Poland and supporting the IPN in its activity in the field of education, research and publishing (e.g. collecting relics related to our history, searching for, collecting and archiving documents regarding it, taking care for cemeteries or memorials, projects promoting the modern history of Poland, etc.). Pursuant to the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance of 18/12/1998, the activity of the IPN focuses solely on modern Polish history, especially the time in which Poles fought against totalitarianisms, i.e. events from 8th November 1917 to 31st July 1990. Therefore, the award is given for actions related to that period.

Scan of the proposals should be mailed to ambasador.historii@ipn.gov.pl. Proposals should be made in writing and sent no later than 30 April 2024 (as per postmark) to the following address: