Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships 2026
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 is among the most prestigious funding opportunities for international students in Ireland, open to all academic disciplines. The program recognizes students with exceptional potential to become future research leaders and provides equal opportunities regardless of nationality. Managed by Research Ireland (formerly the Irish Research Council) and funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, this scholarship plays a vital role in supporting world-class research while enhancing societal impact.
The program is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. It supports Master’s by Research and PhD programs, cultivating scholars into well-rounded researchers and leaders. Awardees benefit from a fully funded postgraduate experience at Ireland’s top institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick, and the Royal Irish Academy, among others. Since its inception, over 5,000 researchers have received funding, with 1,193 scholars awarded in 2019 alone.
Key Details of the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026:
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Host Country: Ireland
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Funded By: Department of Education and Skills, managed by the Government of Ireland through Research Ireland
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Degree Levels: Master’s by Research, Doctoral (PhD)
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Duration:
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Master’s: up to 2 years
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PhD: up to 4 years
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Eligible Institutions:
Universities and research bodies across Ireland, including but not limited to:
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Atlantic Technological University
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Dublin City University
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Maynooth University
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National University of Ireland, Galway
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Royal Irish Academy
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University of Dublin, Trinity College
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University of Limerick
(Full list available in the official call for applications.)
Scholarship Benefits:
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Up to €34,000 per year, including:
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€25,000 annual stipend for living expenses
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Tuition fee coverage up to €5,750 per year (non-EU students may request up to €4,000 extra; any remaining balance must be covered by the student or institution)
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€3,250 per year for research expenses (equipment, travel, project-related costs)
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Global peer-review assessment ensuring fairness and transparency
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Access to world-class universities and research networks in Ireland
Eligibility Criteria:
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Open to applicants of all ages and nationalities
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Must pass an eligibility quiz on the online system before applying
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Must be affiliated with an eligible Irish institution and have a committed supervisor
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Applicants need:
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Bachelor’s degree for Master’s programs
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Master’s degree for PhD programs
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Must hold a first-class or upper-second-class degree
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Cannot have failed the same program application more than twice
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Students awaiting results may apply with provisional certificates
- Research involving humans requires ethical approval; projects involving human embryo destruction are ineligible
Application Process:
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Complete the eligibility quiz to unlock the application form.
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Find and secure a supervisor at an eligible Irish university or institution.
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Prepare required documents, including research proposal, transcripts, referee reports, and supervisor endorsement.
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Submit the online application in English or Irish (no hard copies/email submissions accepted).
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Ensure referees and supervisors submit their forms online before the deadline.
Required Documents:
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Online application form
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Research proposal & personal statement
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Career development & training plan
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Official transcripts
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Supervisor and referee endorsement forms
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Ethics approval (if applicable)
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Proof of nationality/residence (if requested)
Application Deadline:
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23rd October 2025
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