Scholarship Overview

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) programme supports high-calibre international students who wish to study at NFQ levels 9 or 10 (master’s, postgraduate diploma or PhD) in Ireland. Established under the Government’s International Education Strategy 2010-2015 and expanded under successor strategies, the programme aims to promote the internationalisation of Irish higher education while providing opportunities for exceptional international students to study in Ireland.

Scholarship Provider and/or Sponsors

The GOI-IES is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions (HEIs) and managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). This partnership demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to developing global relationships and supporting international education as outlined in national strategies including Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 and Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• Domiciliary of origin must be outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
• Russian and Belarussian nationals are not eligible to apply due to continued aggression in Ukraine
• Previous GOI-IES scholarship holders are not eligible
• Applicants must have a conditional or final offer of admission to an eligible Irish HEI

Levels of Study

The scholarship supports students at NFQ levels 9 or 10, which includes:

• Master’s degrees (taught or research)
• Postgraduate diplomas
• PhD programmes

Areas of Study/Fields Covered

• Scholarships may be approved for study across all disciplines
• Subject to the availability of places at the host institution
• Each HEI may have specific focus areas aligned with their institutional international strategic objectives

Scholarship Benefits

• €10,000 stipend for one year of study to contribute towards student costs and living expenses
• Full fee waiver from the host institution (tuition fee and registration charge are waived)
• Opportunity to participate in an official awarding event for GOI-IES scholars in spring 2026
• Valuable academic and cultural exchange experience and networking opportunities

Number of Awards Available

A total of 60 scholarships will be funded under the GOI-IES programme for the 2025/2026 academic year with a limit of five awards per higher education institution. The top 12 ranked applications will be automatically funded on the basis of excellence.

Application Process

1. Apply for admission to a relevant full-time, in-person programme at an eligible Irish HEI
2. Obtain a conditional or final offer from the institution
3. Create an account on the GOI-IES application portal
4. Complete personal details and eligibility check sections
5. If eligible, complete remaining application sections
6. Submit the application before the deadline

Required Documents

• Proof of conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish HEI
• Academic qualifications and achievements documentation
• Work experience information
• Personal statement addressing specified criteria
• Two references uploaded via the online application portal

Important Dates and/or Deadlines

• Application deadline: 5pm (Irish time) on March 5, 2025
• Questions submission deadline: February 26, 2025
• Results expected: Early June 2025
• Study commencement: September or October 2025

Selection Process and/or Criteria

The selection process involves multiple stages of evaluation:

• Initial eligibility check through the online application system
• Further eligibility verification and shortlisting by host HEIs based on strategic objectives
• Assessment by an independent panel of evaluators using a 100-point marking scheme: • Academic qualifications, achievements and work experience (40 marks) • Personal statement components (45 marks total) • Two references (15 marks)
• Only applications scoring at least 60 marks will be considered

Contact Information

For questions regarding the call for applications, email: [email protected] before February 26, 2025. Telephone queries cannot be accommodated. For visa information, visit the Irish Immigration Service website at https://www.irishimmigration.ie/.

Application Checklist

1. Check your eligibility (non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss domiciliary)
2. Secure an offer from an eligible Irish HEI
3. Create an account on the GOI-IES application portal
4. Complete all application sections accurately
5. Upload all required documents including offer letter
6. Arrange for two references to be uploaded
7. Submit your application before the March 5, 2025 deadline

Don’t miss this opportunity to become a Government of Ireland International Education Scholar! APPLY HERE to start your journey.