The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships 2026 are among the most prestigious scholarships for international students in Ireland, open to all disciplines. Participants in the program demonstrate world-class potential as future research leaders. The Ireland Scholarship 2026 offers equal opportunities to all nationalities. Research Ireland (formerly the Irish Research Council) works with businesses, civil society organizations, and government to maximize the value of researchers' skills, experience, and talent for the benefit of society. This scholarship aims to develop candidates' skills to better serve society.

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships Programme is a prestigious national initiative, overseen by Research Ireland and sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science. The 2026 Government of Ireland Scholarship Programme is unique in the Irish research landscape, complementing other funding options for postgraduate studies. Students receive prestigious awards for their outstanding research performance. The programme funds a wide range of outstanding researchers at various stages of their careers, investing in exploratory research and groundbreaking ideas that address vital societal issues.

The Irish Government Scholarships enable students from all over the world to pursue fully-funded postgraduate programs in Ireland. This scholarship is ideal for students pursuing a full-time master's or doctoral degree who have a passion for research and outstanding academic records. The scholarship is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. The program focuses on developing candidates into well-rounded researchers and leaders.

Among the institutions eligible for this Irish scholarship are world-leading universities, such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and the Royal Irish Academy. This golden opportunity allows candidates from all disciplines to collaborate with diverse cultures and exchange ideas to contribute to solving real-life societal challenges. A total of 1,193 postgraduate researchers were awarded the scholarship in 2019, and more than 5,000 candidates have received funding for their outstanding research to date.

Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026:

Host country:

• Ireland

Sponsored by:

• The Irish Scholarships for International Students 2026 are funded by the Department of Education and Skills and administered by the Council for the Government of Ireland.

Academic degree level:

• Master's by Research
• Doctorate degree (PhD)

Program duration:

• Ireland Scholarship for Master's Students: Recipients will receive funding for two years.
• Ireland PhD Scholarship: Scholarship recipients will receive funding for four years.

Universities eligible for the Irish Government Scholarship 2026:

• Atlantic University of Technology
• Colaisti Muir Marino
• Dublin City University
• Dublin Institute for Advanced Study
• Dublin Dental Hospital
• Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
• Mary Immaculate College
• Maynooth University
• University of Technology Münster
• National College of Art and Design
• National College of Ireland
• National University of Ireland, Galway
• RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Royal Irish Academy
• Royal Irish Academy of Music
• Southeast University of Technology
• Technological University Dublin
• Shannon Technological University: Midlands Midwest
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin
• University College Dublin, Trinity College
• University of Limerick

Benefits of the Irish Postgraduate Scholarship 2026:

• The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is worth up to €34,000 per year. It includes:
  
  • 25,000 Euros annual salary to cover your living costs.
  • Tuition fees are covered up to €5,750 per year, including fees for non-EU students. Non-EU students can request an additional €4,000 per year if their fees are higher, with the student or their university covering any remaining fees.
  • €3,250 per year for research expenses, such as equipment, travel, or other project-related costs.
• Global assessment by independent experts as part of an objective selection process
• Candidates will have the opportunity to study at world-leading universities in Ireland.

Eligibility criteria for the Irish Government Postgraduate Scholarship:

• Applicants can be of any age to apply for an Ireland Scholarship.
• Before accessing the application form, all applicants must pass an eligibility test on the online application system.
• All applicants must be affiliated with an eligible university listed above.
• Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree to pursue Master's degrees and a Master's degree to pursue PhD applications.
• Academic referees and supervisors must provide positive reports about applicants.
• To be considered, applicants must not have failed twice in their previous applications to the same program. This applies regardless of whether the host institution or the applicant's research topic has changed since their last application.
• Students awaiting their results can also apply. However, they must obtain provisional certificates from their home institutions.
• Applicants must have a first-class undergraduate degree or above.
  Applicants seeking a master's degree or research doctorate must not hold, or have previously held, an Irish Research Council scholarship.
• All applicants must have a principal supervisor who is willing and able to guide them in their research projects while studying in Ireland.
• Research involving humans or human subjects must receive appropriate ethical approval. The grant does not fund research that may result in the destruction of human embryos.

How to apply for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026:

• Apply online through the official application system. No hard copies or email applications will be accepted.
• Take the eligibility test first, which you must pass to access the application form.
• Find and contact a supervisor at a qualified Irish university or research institution. Discuss your research idea with them, as their approval is required.
• Prepare your documents, and make sure your records are official, stamped, and signed.
• Write your application carefully, and it must be your original work (no plagiarism).
• Submit everything in English or Irish only.
• Create an account on the electronic portal, fill out the application form, and upload the required documents.
• Ensure that the supervisor and referees submit their forms on the system before the deadlines.

Documents required to obtain scholarships provided by the Government of Ireland:

• Completed online application form (after passing the eligibility test)
• Research proposal
• Personal Statement/Applicant Profile
• Training and Professional Development Plan
• Environment Department (matching supervisor and host institution)
• Ethics Statement (if applicable)
• Sexual/Gender Dimension Statement
• Official records of all degrees mentioned in the application
• Primary Supervisor Certification Form (Submitted Online)
• Arbitration Form(s) (Provided Online)
• Proof of nationality/residence (if requested)
• Evidence of professional interruption (in case of requesting modification of eligibility)
• Final official records (if results are pending at the application stage)
• Ethical approval letters (before starting any research that requires approval)

Irish Government Scholarship Deadline:

• The application deadline is October 23, 2025.