The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is unique in the Irish research landscape and complements other channels for funded postgraduate education in the Irish ecosystem. Among its features are:

individual, prestigious awards for excellent research in the name of the applicant;

an objective selection process using international, independent expert peer review;

funding across all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology; and

awards for bottom-up, non-directed research, with the exception of those funded by our strategic funding partners.

ELIGIBILITY:

Potential applicants should carefully ascertain whether they are eligible in advance of applying to either programme. All applicants will be required to complete and pass a preliminary eligibility quiz on the online application system prior to accessing an application form. Please note that passing of the preliminary eligibility quiz and provision of access to the application form should not be taken as confirmation that all eligibility requirements for the programme have been met. If it becomes apparent to the Irish Research Council at any stage of the application, assessment or award offer process that an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria, an application will be deemed ineligible and any award offer shall be withdrawn. Further information outlining what would deem an application ineligible is contained in section 8.

There is no age limit for applicants to be eligible for either programme type.

All applicants must be affiliated with an eligible Irish higher education institution or research-performing organisation. 

Applications will only be accepted in either the Irish or English language

Applicants must not have had two previous unsuccessful applications to the relevant programme, including to strategic partner themes. This applies regardless of whether the applicant has changed their host institution or research topic since a previous submission.

BENEFIT:

The value of the scholarship will be up to a maximum of €31,000 per annum in any approved year and will consist of the following:

a stipend of €22,000 per annum;

a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum; and

eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per annum.