Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 for Masters and PhD Candidates
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is a prestigious national initiative, funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and managed by Research Ireland. This programme supports suitably qualified postgraduate candidates pursuing, or intending to pursue, full-time research in any discipline.
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The Government of Ireland programme is unique in the Irish research landscape. Among its features are:
- awards for bottom-up, non-directed research.
- individual, prestigious grants for excellent research in the name of the applicant;
- the opportunity for grant recipients to direct their own research project at the early-career stage, working with a supervisor;
- 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.
Programme Summary
- Application Deadline: 23 October 2025
- Host Country: Ireland
- Study Abroad: Study in Ireland
- Category: Masters | PhD
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Fully funded with a stipend of up to €34,000 per annum
Programme Details
The duration of a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship ranges from one to four years depending on the type of degree being pursued. Applicants who are new entrants to the postgraduate degree for which they are seeking funding are eligible to apply for the full duration of the degree, as outlined below:
- Masters by research: 2 years of funding to be granted
- Doctoral degree (PhD): 4 years of funding to be granted
This program is an excellent opportunity for anyone considering their academic future. You can learn more about finding a suitable program with our Postgraduate program guide and use our various Scholarship search tools. To prepare for your journey, we also recommend checking out our comprehensive Ireland travel guide.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship provides significant financial support to help you achieve your academic goals. The value of the scholarship will be up to a maximum of €34,000 per annum in any approved year and will consist of the following:
- Annual Stipend: A stipend of €25,000 to cover living expenses while you pursue your research.
- Fee Contribution: A contribution to fees, including non-European Union fees, paid directly to the host research body, up to a maximum of €5,750.
- Direct Costs: Eligible direct costs of €3,250 to enable the awardee to carry out their research project.
Please note: The scholarship grant must be accepted in full, including all three budget headings listed above. Applicants are not permitted to apply for or accept funding for only one part of the award. For more financial guidance, explore our Financial aid advice and learn how to navigate your funding journey. You can also explore options like equity-free grants for startups for alternative funding sources.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme is open to Masters and PhD candidates who will be new entrants to the postgraduate degree for which they are seeking funding. Applicants who have completed no more than the first year of their degree might also be eligible to apply. The following conditions also apply:
- There is no age limit for applicants to be eligible.
- All applicants must be affiliated with an Eligible Research Body, who will be responsible for verifying all results from undergraduate or postgraduate degrees named in the application.
- All applicants must have a first-class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s, or the equivalent, degree. If the applicant does not have an equivalent degree, they must possess a Master’s degree.
- Research Ireland’s determination of an applicant’s eligibility on these criteria is final.
- If undergraduate examination results are not known at the time of application and the application subsequently meets the funding threshold, the final degree result must be confirmed before a Letter of Offer can be issued.
- Applications will only be accepted in either the Irish or English language.
- Applicants must not have had two previous unsuccessful applications to the programme.
- Applicants must not be a permanent member of staff in either an Irish or international Research Body.
- All applications require a primary supervisor willing to guide the proposed research project.
- Primary supervisors may not support more than one applicant to the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship.
To prepare for your application, consider getting tips on how to apply for scholarships successfully. It’s also a good idea to research language proficiency test preparation and find some research methodology courses to strengthen your academic profile.
How to Apply
While the provided text does not specify a step-by-step application procedure, it’s clear that the process involves the following key steps:
- Click the link provided below to Complete the application
- Ensure you have a primary supervisor who is willing to guide your proposed research project.
- Be affiliated with an Eligible Research Body that can verify your academic results.
- Submit your application in either the Irish or English language.
Application Deadline: October 23rd, 2025
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme? It’s a national scholarship program that provides funding for full-time research Masters and PhD candidates in any discipline.
- What is the application deadline? The application deadline is 23 October 2025.
- How long is the scholarship duration? The duration ranges from one to four years, depending on the type of degree being pursued.
- Are both Masters and PhD students eligible? Yes, new entrants to Masters by research and doctoral degrees are eligible.
- Is there an age limit for applicants? No, there is no age limit to be eligible for the scholarship.
- What is the required academic qualification? Applicants must have a first-class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree if their undergraduate degree does not meet this requirement.
- What does the scholarship cover? It covers a stipend of €25,000, a contribution to fees up to €5,750, and €3,250 for direct research costs.
- Can I accept only part of the scholarship? No, the scholarship grant must be accepted in full, including all three budget headings.
- Can a primary supervisor support multiple applicants? No, a primary supervisor may only support one applicant to this program.
- What is the language of application? Applications are only accepted in either the Irish or English language.
