The Government of Ireland has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 International Education Scholarships, a fully funded programme that offers international students the chance to study at leading Irish universities.
The initiative is administered by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and is regarded as one of Europe’s most competitive and generous scholarship schemes.
According to the programme guidelines, the award creates pathways for outstanding students to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees across virtually all academic disciplines.
Eligibility and duration
The scholarships are open to applicants from non-EU/EEA countries and cover both Master’s and Doctoral degree levels. Candidates can apply for:
- Master’s by Research: two years of funding.
- Doctoral Degrees (PhD): four years of funding.
Applicants must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree for Master’s programmes or a Master’s degree for PhD studies.
The scheme accepts provisional certificates for candidates awaiting final results. There are no age restrictions, but applicants must secure a confirmed supervisor at an Irish institution and demonstrate English language proficiency.
The programme guidelines further note that applications will only be accepted through the online application system and must be submitted by October 23, 2025.
Participating institutions
A wide range of Irish higher education institutions are participating in the 2026 edition of the scheme.
These include: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, Maynooth University, University College Cork, Munster Technological University, Atlantic Technological University, and Technological University Dublin, among others.
Specialist institutions such as the Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences are also part of the programme, giving applicants diverse academic options.
Financial coverage
The scholarships provide extensive funding support valued at over €33,000 per year. Benefits include:
- Annual stipend: €25,000 for living expenses.
- Tuition coverage: up to €5,750 per annum, including non-EU fees.
- Research expenses: €3,250 annually for direct research costs.
This package makes the Government of Ireland Scholarships one of the most financially comprehensive programmes available to international students.
Academic and research fields
The scheme covers a wide range of disciplines across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as social sciences, arts, and humanities.
Research areas highlighted include:
- Biological Sciences (molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and ecology).
- Chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry).
- Computer Science (AI, cybersecurity, machine learning, and data science).
- Earth and Environmental Sciences (climate science, sustainability, and geology).
- Engineering (civil, electrical, biomedical, and chemical engineering).
- Mathematics (statistics, computational modelling, applied and pure mathematics).
- Physics (quantum mechanics, materials physics, theoretical and experimental physics).
The government stressed that the scholarships strengthen Ireland’s position as a global education hub while fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Application process
- Review the official call for applications and eligibility requirements.
- Secure a supervisor at a participating Irish university.
- Complete and submit the online application before the October 23, 2025 deadline.
- The application system also requires applicants to pass a preliminary eligibility quiz before accessing the form. Official academic transcripts endorsed by the host institution must also be submitted.
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