Full funding · Study in Ireland
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (Research Ireland)
A stipend of about €25,000 a year plus fees up to €5,750 and a research expenses allowance, for up to four years
- Funder
- Research Ireland (formerly Irish Research Council)
- Level
- Postgraduate · Doctoral
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
This is Ireland's main national scholarship for research master's and PhD study, open across every discipline from the humanities to engineering and funded by the state through Research Ireland.
Applications are led by the research proposal and require a named academic supervisor at the host institution, so the real work starts months before the call opens.
🗓️ Deadline
The annual call usually opens in September and closes in late October
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Applying for, or in the first year of, a research master's or PhD at an eligible Irish higher education institution
- A first-class or strong upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent
- A named supervisor at the host institution who endorses the application
- Open to applicants of any nationality
- Not concurrently holding another award that the scheme treats as incompatible
How to apply
- Identify a supervisor and host institution well before the call opens
- Develop the research proposal with your supervisor over the summer
- Register on the Research Ireland portal when the call opens in September
- Submit the proposal along with supervisor and referee endorsements before the October deadline
- Outcomes are usually announced the following spring for an autumn start
Studying in Ireland
An English-speaking EU country with a booming tech economy and a generous stay-back option. Post-study work: Up to 24 months (master's).
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A tuition fee discount of around €1,500, awarded to a limited number of students
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (Research Ireland): your questions, answered
What does the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (Research Ireland) cover?
A stipend of about €25,000 a year plus fees up to €5,750 and a research expenses allowance, for up to four years. This is Ireland's main national scholarship for research master's and PhD study, open across every discipline from the humanities to engineering and funded by the state through Research Ireland.
Who is eligible for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (Research Ireland)?
Core requirements are: Applying for, or in the first year of, a research master's or PhD at an eligible Irish higher education institution; A first-class or strong upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent; A named supervisor at the host institution who endorses the application; Open to applicants of any nationality; Not concurrently holding another award that the scheme treats as incompatible. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (Research Ireland) deadline?
The annual call usually opens in September and closes in late October. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.