The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, administered by Research Ireland, is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities for postgraduate researchers in Ireland. Established to nurture excellence and innovation, the programme provides funding across all disciplines and supports candidates pursuing Master’s and doctoral degrees.
This national initiative is unique in its scope, providing researchers with the freedom to design and direct their own projects, while benefiting from international peer review, independent evaluation, and the support of leading academic supervisors.
Research Ireland (Taighde Éireann), established on 1 August 2024, is the national research and innovation funding agency. It brings together the former Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), creating a single organisation responsible for strengthening Ireland’s research landscape.
The agency is committed to excellence, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity, ensuring that Ireland continues to attract, develop, and retain world-class research talent.
The scholarship programme is open to candidates across all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology. Its defining features include:
Competition is strong, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years.
In addition to core programme funding, the 2026 call includes opportunities through strategic partnerships with key national agencies:
Applicants may apply under one of these themes, and if not selected, will automatically be considered for the core programme.
The award provides up to €34,000 per annum, including:
Duration varies depending on the degree:
Partial funding may be available for candidates who have already commenced their degree but are within the first year.
Applicants must be affiliated with an Eligible Research Body in Ireland. Key applicant requirements include:
The programme is open internationally. While most awards go to EU/EEA/UK/Ukraine nationals (Category 1), a proportion is reserved for exceptional candidates from other countries (Category 2).
Applications are submitted online and must include:
Incomplete or late applications, duplicate submissions, or those without supervisor endorsement will be deemed ineligible.
Applicants are strongly advised to submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
All proposals undergo eligibility checks before being assessed by independent, international experts. The process is gender-blind, meaning applicant gender identity is not shared with reviewers.
Applications are judged on excellence, innovation, feasibility, and the potential of the applicant to become a future leader in research.
Research Ireland is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The External EDI Strategy 2023–2028 emphasises encouraging applications from women and historically underserved communities. Assessment is conducted fairly, ensuring the widest possible participation across society.
Research Ireland is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), meaning evaluation is not based solely on journal metrics but considers a wide range of outputs and impacts. The programme also aligns with Ireland’s National Action Plan for Open Research and European frameworks on research collaboration.
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2026 offers a prestigious pathway for emerging researchers to advance their studies in Ireland. With generous funding, international recognition, and strong institutional support, it represents a unique opportunity to contribute to world-class research while shaping future academic and professional careers.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the scholarship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the scholarship organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
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