The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 offers a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for talented students worldwide to pursue a Master’s by Research or PhD in Ireland. Supported by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and managed by Research Ireland, this scholarship empowers researchers across all disciplines to develop innovative, independent research projects.↚
Pursue World-Class Research in Ireland with Fully Funded Scholarships 2026
Degree Level and Available Subjects
- Degree Level: Master’s by Research (2 years) | Doctoral (PhD) programs (4 years)
- Available Subjects: All academic disciplines including STEM, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS)
Benefits
The scholarship provides up to €34,000 per year, including:
- Annual stipend: €25,000
- Tuition fee contribution: up to €5,750 (including non-EU fees)
- Research expenses allowance: €3,250
This comprehensive support enables scholars to focus fully on their research while gaining prestigious recognition for academic excellence.
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Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities, with opportunities for both EU and non-EU students.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a first-class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s degree (or Master’s if applicable)
- Be affiliated with an eligible research body in Ireland
- Be a new entrant to the postgraduate degree or have completed no more than one year
- Work under the guidance of a primary supervisor at an eligible Irish institution
- Submit applications in English or Irish
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Application Procedure
- Complete the eligibility quiz on the Research Ireland portal
- Submit your online application before the deadline
- Obtain supervisor and research office endorsements on time
- Ensure all submissions are original, complete, and within word limits
Important Dates:
- Application Opens: 11 September 2025
- Application Deadline: 23 October 2025
- Supervisor Deadline: 6 November 2025
- Research Office Endorsement: 13 November 2025
- Results Announcement: April 2026
- Scholarship Start Date: 1 September 2026
Why Apply
- Fully funded Master’s by Research and PhD programs in Ireland
- Open to students from all nationalities and academic disciplines
- Recognition of academic excellence and research potential
- Support for independent, bottom-up research projects
- Transparent, international peer-reviewed selection process
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