Discover the incredible opportunities offered by the 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship Program, providing full scholarships and generous financial support for international students.
The Government of Ireland Scholarship Program offers full scholarships, a €22,000 annual stipend, and a direct research expenses of €3,250 per annum for international students to deliver new possibilities for the future, within Ireland and beyond.
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is an established national initiative, funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and managed by the Council.
SCHOLARSHIP AT A GLANCE:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme |
| Funding Body | Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
| Managing Council | Irish Research Council |
| Scholarship Type | Full Scholarships |
| Annual Stipend | €22,000 per annum |
| Research Expenses | €3,250 per annum |
| Tuition Fee Contribution | Up to €5,750 per annum |
| Total Annual Value | Up to €31,000 per annum |
| Eligibility | No age limit; must be affiliated with/admitted to an eligible Irish institution; applications accepted in Irish or English; no more than two previous unsuccessful applications. |
| Eligible Disciplines | All disciplines, from archaeology to zoology |
| Application Languages | Irish or English |
| Application Requirements | Educational documents, Study Plan/Statement of Purpose, Research Proposal, Copy of Passport, Supervision details (if any), Recommendation forms, Language proof (if any), Additional documents (if any) |
| Application Process | Apply to an eligible Higher Education Institution or Research Programme, submit application via online portal with two references |
| Application Deadline | 23 October, 2025 |
| Assessment Criteria | Outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills, participation in extracurricular activities, strong rationale for study in Ireland |
| Selection Process | Checked by higher education institutions for eligibility, shortlisted based on institutional strategic objectives, assessed by independent international assessors |
Facts About the Government of Ireland Scholarship Program
- Full Scholarships for International Students: The Government of Ireland Scholarship Program offers full scholarships to international students, covering tuition fees entirely, making it one of the most generous scholarship programs in the world.
- Generous Annual Stipend: Recipients receive an impressive annual stipend of €22,000, providing substantial financial support that allows students to focus on their studies and research without worrying about living expenses.
- Research Funding: In addition to the stipend, the program allocates €3,250 annually for direct research expenses, enabling students to undertake cutting-edge projects and contribute significantly to their fields.
- National Prestige: The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is a prestigious national initiative, reflecting the country’s commitment to advancing education and research on a global scale.
- Diverse Opportunities: This scholarship program is open to international students from various academic backgrounds, fostering a diverse and vibrant academic community within Ireland.
- Support for Innovation: Managed by the Council and funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the program emphasizes innovation and cutting-edge research, positioning students at the forefront of their disciplines.
- Career Advancement: Scholars benefit from Ireland’s robust research infrastructure and academic networks, which can significantly boost their career prospects and open doors to global opportunities.
- Cultural Enrichment: Living and studying in Ireland offers students the chance to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage and dynamic social environment of one of Europe’s most welcoming countries.
- Global Impact: The program not only benefits Ireland but also aims to deliver new possibilities for the future globally, empowering scholars to make meaningful contributions to their home countries and beyond.
- High Success Rate: Many past recipients of the Government of Ireland Scholarship Program have gone on to achieve remarkable success in academia, industry, and public service, becoming leaders and innovators in their fields.
Details For 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship ProgramÂ
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is unique in the Irish research landscape and complements other channels for funded postgraduate education in the Irish ecosystem. Among its features are:
- individual, prestigious awards for excellent research in the name of the applicant;
- an objective selection process using international, independent expert peer review;
- funding across all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology; and
- awards for bottom-up, non-directed research, with the exception of those funded by our strategic funding partners.
Eligibility Requirements For 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship ProgramÂ
To be considered for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, applicants must note the following:
- There is no age limit for applicants to be eligible for either programme type.
- All applicants must be affiliated with or admitted to an eligible Irish higher education institution or research-performing organization. 
- Applications will only be accepted in either the Irish or English language.
- Applicants must not have had two previous unsuccessful applications to the relevant programme, including strategic partner themes. This applies regardless of whether the applicant has changed their host institution or research topic since a previous submission.
Rewards For 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship ProgramÂ
The value of the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship will be up to a maximum of €31,000 per annum in any approved year and will consist of the following:
- a stipend of €22,000 per annum;
- a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum; and
- eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per annum.
Required Documents For 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship ProgramÂ
To apply for the Government of Ireland Scholarship, candidates must submit the following documents;
- Educational documents
- Study Plan/Statement of Purpose
- Research Proposal
- Copy of Passport
- Supervision details (if any)
- Recommendation forms
- Language proof (if any)
- Additional documents if any
How To Apply For 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship ProgramÂ
Interested and qualified applicants for the Government of Ireland Scholarship should read the call documentation carefully to ascertain whether they are eligible to apply.
- You are to first apply to an eligible Higher Education Institution or Research Programmes
- Then proceed to submit your application via the online portal.
- All applications require two references to be uploaded via the online portal. It is recommended that candidates submit their applications well before the deadline, to avoid technical issues due to heavy server traffic on the respective day.
- Applications cannot be submitted once the deadline has passed. No alterations can be made to an application once it has been submitted.
Assessment process
Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- a record of outstanding academic achievement;
- excellent communication skills;
- evidence of participation in extracurricular activities, for example humanitarian work, politics, arts or sport; and
- a strong rationale for pursuing their study in Ireland that indicates how a Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship would align with their longer-term goals.
Applications will first be shared with the relevant higher education institutions, who will check them for eligibility and shortlist them based on alignment with institutional strategic objectives.
The shortlisted applications will then be assessed by an independent panel of international assessors. Full details of the assessment process are available in the call document.
Source: https://research.ie/
