The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2026 is a prestigious funding opportunity for postgraduate researchers from around the world. Administered by Research Ireland, this scholarship aims to support students pursuing Master’s and doctoral degrees across all academic disciplines. It is designed to nurture excellence, innovation, and leadership in research while providing generous funding and international recognition.
About Research Ireland
Research Ireland (Taighde Éireann), established on 1 August 2024, is Ireland’s national research and innovation funding agency. It was created by merging the former Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
The agency’s mission is to strengthen Ireland’s research landscape by supporting excellence, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity. It focuses on attracting, developing, and retaining world-class research talent in all fields of study.
Key Dates for the 2026 Call
| Event | Date & Time (Irish Time) |
|---|---|
| Call Opens | 11 September 2025, 12:00 |
| FAQ Deadline | 16 October 2025, 16:00 |
| Applicant Deadline | 23 October 2025, 16:00 |
| Supervisor Deadline | 6 November 2025, 16:00 |
| Research Office Endorsement | 13 November 2025, 16:00 |
| Outcome Notification | End of April 2026 |
| Award Start Date | 1 September 2026 |
Programme Features
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is open to candidates from all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology. Its key features include:
- Prestigious awards in the name of the applicant.
- Freedom to design and lead a research project early in the career.
- Independent international peer review ensures high-quality assessment.
- Funding available in all fields, including interdisciplinary areas.
- Recognition of recipients as future research leaders.
- Competitive selection with an average success rate of 18% over five years.
Strategic Funding Partners
The 2026 call includes partnerships with leading national agencies. Applicants may apply under these themes or will automatically be considered for the core programme:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Met Éireann
- Department of Foreign Affairs
Scholarship Value and Duration
The award offers funding of up to €34,000 per year, broken down as:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Stipend | €25,000 |
| Contribution to fees | Up to €5,750 (+€4,000 for non-EU nationals) |
| Research expenses | €3,250 |
Duration
- Master’s by research: Up to 2 years
- PhD: Up to 4 years
Partial funding may be available for candidates who have already started their degree but are in the first year.
Eligibility
Applicants must be affiliated with an Eligible Research Body in Ireland. Key requirements include:
- Academic Qualifications: First-class or upper second-class honours Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). A Master’s is required if the Bachelor’s does not meet this standard.
- Degree Status: New entrants or within the first year of registration by September 2025.
- Previous Applications: No more than two unsuccessful attempts.
- Supervision: Must have a primary supervisor at an eligible institution. Each supervisor can endorse only one applicant per call.
- Language: Applications in English or Irish only.
- International Candidates: While most awards go to EU/EEA/UK/Ukraine nationals (Category 1), a proportion is reserved for outstanding candidates from other countries (Category 2).
Application Process
Applications are submitted online and must include:
- A detailed research proposal
- Confirmation of eligibility and endorsement from the applicant’s Research Body
- A primary supervisor’s supporting form
Note: Incomplete, late, or duplicate applications without supervisor endorsement will be ineligible. Early submission is strongly recommended to avoid technical issues.
Review and Assessment
All applications undergo eligibility checks before being evaluated by independent international experts. The process is gender-blind, meaning reviewers do not see the applicant’s gender.
Applications are assessed based on:
- Excellence and innovation of the research
- Feasibility of the project
- Applicant potential to become a future leader in research
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Research Ireland promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Its External EDI Strategy 2023–2028 encourages applications from women and historically underserved communities. Assessment is conducted fairly to ensure wide participation from all sectors of society.
Commitment to Open Research and DORA
Research Ireland follows the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). This ensures that evaluation is not solely based on journal metrics, but considers a broad range of research outputs and impacts. The programme aligns with Ireland’s National Action Plan for Open Research and European research collaboration frameworks.
Conclusion
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2026 offers international students a prestigious opportunity to pursue world-class research in Ireland. With generous funding, academic recognition, and strategic institutional support, this scholarship is ideal for aspiring researchers looking to build their academic and professional careers.
