Application Deadline: 12 March 2026
The application window is now open for the 2026 edition of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships Programme. This prestigious initiative, known as the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES), is designed to support outstanding international students aiming to pursue advanced studies at NFQ levels 9 or 10—which include master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, or PhD programmes—in Ireland.
Funded by the Government of Ireland and delivered in collaboration with Irish higher education institutions (HEIs), the programme is overseen and administered by the Higher Education Authority. Each year, the GOI-IES programme awards 60 scholarships, each granting funding for one full academic year of study at NFQ levels 9 or 10.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, applicants must originate from outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Prospective candidates are required to apply for admission to a master’s, postgraduate diploma, or doctoral programme at an eligible Irish higher education institution, following that institution’s standard admission process.
Importantly, applicants must hold either a conditional or a final offer of admission from a qualifying Irish HEI at the time they submit their scholarship application.
Scholarship Benefits
Recipients of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship receive a stipend of €10,000 for one academic year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10. In addition to the financial award, the hosting higher education institution is obligated to provide the scholar with a full tuition fee waiver covering the entire year of their scholarship tenure.
Application Procedure
Applicants must upload two academic or professional references as part of their submission through the official online application portal. To avoid any potential issues caused by high user demand near the deadline, it is strongly advised that candidates submit their applications well before the closing date.
Once the deadline on 12 March 2026 has passed, no further applications will be accepted. Furthermore, once an application is submitted, no amendments or edits can be made to the information provided.
Additional Information
For comprehensive details about the programme, eligibility, application guidelines, and updates, prospective applicants should Visit the Official Webpage of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships Programme.
