Deadline: 12 March 2026
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships 2026 Now Accepting Applications (Includes €10,000 Stipend for One Year): Apply Today
Overview
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) programme offers support to outstanding international students seeking to pursue postgraduate education in Ireland at NFQ levels 9 or 10, which includes master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, or doctoral (PhD) studies. This prestigious scholarship is funded by the Irish Government in collaboration with Irish higher education institutions (HEIs) and is overseen by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Each year, the programme awards 60 scholarships that cover one academic year of full-time study at the postgraduate level. This initiative aims to attract talented students from around the world to Ireland’s higher education sector.
What the Scholarship Covers
Recipients of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship receive a financial stipend of €10,000 for one year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10. Additionally, the host institution where the student is enrolled is obligated to provide a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the scholarship year.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the GOI-IES scholarship, applicants must be domiciled outside of the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Prospective candidates are required to first apply for admission to a relevant master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programme at an eligible Irish higher education institution, following the institution's standard admissions procedure.
Applicants are encouraged to confirm directly with the institution whether their chosen course is eligible for the GOI-IES scholarship. Contact details for the eligible higher education institutions can be found in Appendix 1 of the 2026 GOI-IES call document. This appendix is accessible as a separate document on the official webpage and may be updated to include additional contact information.
Applicants must hold either a conditional or final offer of admission from a qualifying institution at the time they submit their scholarship application. Proof of this offer must be included in the specified section of the GOI-IES application form. Candidates who have previously been awarded a GOI-IES scholarship are not eligible to reapply.
How to Submit Your Application
Interested applicants should thoroughly review the call documentation to verify eligibility before applying. Applications are to be submitted exclusively through the 2026 GOI-IES Call online application portal, accessible by clicking on the “Apply here” link located at the top of the official scholarship page.
Each candidate is permitted to submit only one application during the 2026 cycle of the GOI-IES programme. The application must include two reference letters uploaded electronically via the application portal.
Applicants are strongly advised to complete their submissions well ahead of the deadline to avoid any issues with server congestion or technical difficulties on the final day. It is important to note that applications cannot be modified after submission, and late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Selection and Assessment Process
The selection committee evaluates applicants based on several key criteria:
- Demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding achievements
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Active involvement in extracurricular activities such as humanitarian efforts, political engagement, artistic pursuits, or sports
- A clear and compelling motivation for choosing to study in Ireland, including how the scholarship aligns with the applicant’s long-term career and personal goals
Following initial eligibility checks and shortlisting by the relevant higher education institutions, applications are reviewed by an independent panel of assessors to determine final awardees.
Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 12 March 2026, 5pm (Irish Time) |
| Announcement of Results | Early June 2026 |
Additional Information and Contact Details
Comprehensive information about the 2026 Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships call, including FAQs and an indicative sample application form, is available for download on the official website. Institution-specific GOI-IES details may also be found on the websites of eligible higher education institutions.
If you require further assistance or have questions that are not addressed in the provided materials, you can email the scholarship team directly at international@hea.ie. For queries related to individual higher education institutions, applicants should contact the institutions themselves, using the contact details listed in Appendix 1 of the 2026 GOI-IES call document.
