Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship 2026 – €10,000 Fully Funded Master’s & PhD Scholarship in Ireland 

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Overview

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is a prestigious national scholarship programme funded by the Government of Ireland, in partnership with Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The programme supports high-calibre international students to pursue Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, and PhD studies in Ireland.
Each year, 60 fully funded scholarships are awarded for one year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 and 10, making it one of Ireland’s most competitive and prestigious international scholarship schemes.

Scholarship Name

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)

Host Country

Ireland 🇮🇪

Host Institutions

Eligible Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
(Universities and institutes approved under the GOI-IES scheme)

Level of Study

• Master’s Degree (NFQ Level 9)

• Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9)

• PhD / Doctorate (NFQ Level 10)

Number of Awards

60 scholarships annually

Value / Benefits

Each scholarship includes:

• €10,000 stipend for one academic year

• Full tuition fee waiver (100% fees covered by host institution)

What the Scholarship Covers

✅ €10,000 living stipend
✅ Full tuition fees
❌ Accommodation
❌ Travel costs
❌ Visa costs
❌ Health insurance

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be from a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the UK

• Apply for an eligible:

  • Master’s

  • Postgraduate diploma

  • PhD programme

• Have a conditional or final offer of admission from an eligible Irish HEI

• Submit proof of admission with scholarship application

• Apply to an eligible Irish institution/course

• Not be a previous GOI-IES recipient

• Not be a Russian or Belarusian national

Selection Criteria

Applicants are assessed on:

• Outstanding academic achievement

• Strong communication skills

• Leadership & extracurricular involvement
  (humanitarian work, arts, sport, politics, volunteering, etc.)

• Clear study motivation

• Strong career vision

• Long-term impact goals aligned with Ireland

• Institutional strategic alignment

• Independent expert panel evaluation

Assessment Process

1. Applications submitted via GOI-IES portal

2. Irish institutions check eligibility

3. Institutions shortlist candidates

4. Independent panel assessment

5. Final national-level selection

Application Process

1. Apply for admission to an eligible Irish HEI

2. Secure a conditional/final offer letter

3. Apply via the 2026 GOI-IES online portal

4. Upload:

   • Proof of admission

   • Two references

   • Supporting documents

5. Submit application before deadline
    Only one application per candidate allowed

Application Deadline

12 March 2026
5:00 PM (Irish time)

Results Notification

Early June 2026

Duration

• One academic year of full-time study

Additional Notes

• Highly competitive

• National-level scholarship scheme

• Institutional endorsement required

• Strategic alignment with Ireland’s education goals

• Limited awards (60 nationwide)

• Strong leadership and impact profile improves chances

• Scholarship cannot be deferred

• Must start studies in the awarded academic year

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship 2026

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