Government of Ireland Scholarship 2026 - A Guide for International Applicants

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is awarded to Master’s degree (minimum 1 year), Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9, minimum 1 year), Research Master’s or PhD (minimum 1 year) programs of all disciplines.

You can apply for the study in Ireland scholarship 2026 through the official GOI-IES application online portal. Applicants can submit only one application, and once submitted, no edits or updates are allowed, and also late submissions are not accepted. The application deadline is 12th March 2026 at 5:00 pm (Irish time). Around 60 scholarships are awarded each year, and the scholarship is the best option for international students seeking high-quality education in Europe. The cost of studies can be greatly reduced through the scholarship, as the students who get the scholarship are given a €10,000 stipend and a full tuition fee waiver, easing the cost of study for one academic year.

Who Is Eligible For the Government of Ireland Scholarship 2026?

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) are given to students with high academic records from outside of Europe. Candidates can be successful by having:

• Excellent academic achievement
• Proficiency in communication skills
• Active involvement in activities outside the classroom such as in volunteering, community service, leadership, sports, politics, or the arts
• A justified purpose for studying in Ireland that matches with their education and career objectives.

The evaluation marks are 100 marks, with 40 marks for academic qualifications and relevant experience, 45 for personal statement, and the remaining 15 marks for two references.

The basic eligibility requirements for the Government of Ireland Scholarship 2026

The applicant must:

• belong to a country outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK
• not hold the citizenship of Russia or Belarus
• have a conditional offer or final offer from an approved Irish higher education institution (HEI)
• enrol for a full-time on-campus program and commit to stay in Ireland for the period of their studies
• not be a previous recipient of the GOI-IES
• be present to attend the official scholarship award ceremony, which will be held in spring 2027.

How to Strengthen Your GOI-IES 2026 scholarship Application

• Give emphasis to your academic proficiency, such as grades, awards, publications, projects, etc.
• Demonstrate your contribution as a leader and your contribution to community work, social initiatives, volunteering, etc.
• The personal statement must be clear, giving proper justification for why you have chosen Ireland, the particular university, and the specific program and how the scholarship fits your goals and will help you to contribute to Ireland and your home country.
• For different scholarships, prepare different responses that are customized.
• It is better to start early so that you can avoid the mistakes and technical issues.
• While preparing the application, follow the instructions carefully.
• Demonstrate how your interests align with the university’s research strengths and priorities.

Fields of Study and Program Options

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship 2026 is open to students across all academic disciplines for programs commencing in the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholarships are available for Master’s degree (minimum 1 year), Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9, minimum 1 year), Research Master’s or PhD (minimum 1 year) programs of all disciplines in an eligible HEI and have available places. Before you apply for a scholarship, check whether your selected program is a full-time on-campus program.

Students can apply to programs in a vast number of study areas for Masters, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Doctoral (PhD) studies, including but not limited to:

• Engineering and Technology – Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Cybersecurity, etc.
• Computer Science and Information Technology – Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Computer Science, etc.
• Business and Management – Finance, Marketing etc (note that some MBA programs at certain institutions may be excluded).
• Social Sciences and Humanities – International Relations, Sociology, Education Economics, law, etc.
• Creative Arts, Design, and Media – Film Studies, Digital Media, Design Innovation, etc.
• Natural and Applied Sciences – Biotechnology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, etc.
• Health and Life Sciences – Public Health, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical, Nursing, etc.

The Irish higher education institution publishes the list of programs that are eligible for scholarships and also may give the study areas that are of priority (study fields in line with its strategic goals).

Monthly Cost of Living for International Students in Ireland (USD)

The cost of living in Ireland can vary by location and lifestyle. The average monthly cost of living for international students comes to around USD 1,400 to 2,100 per month (might increase for cities such as Dublin), which includes expenses for housing, food, transport, utilities, health insurance, and personal expenses. While scholarships will support you financially, you will still require some savings and part-time work to manage your expenses.

What are the benefits of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship?

Financial Benefits:

• €10,000 stipend for meeting the living and study costs for one academic year
• Full tuition fee waiver provided by the host Irish higher education institution
• Fees of tuition and registration covered

Note: Since scholarship funding is for one year, students will have to bring additional funding if the program is for more than a year. 

While scholarships are not extended, there is a chance of a fee waiver extension for long-duration programs by certain HEIs.

Non-Financial Benefits:

• The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, will give you a strong academic and professional profile.
• You can study, stay, and develop a strong international network in Europe, and improve your career possibilities.
• Exposure to advanced learning environments, research facilities, and campus amenities.

What the Scholarship Does Not Cover

• Travel expenses
• Health insurance (unless the university provides separate arrangements for it)
• On-campus accommodation is not guaranteed by the scholarships
• Additional living costs beyond the €10,000 stipend
• Dependent or family member’s expenses

Documents required for applying to Government of Ireland Scholarship 2026

The general documents that are required for applying for scholarships:

• A valid passport
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• A conditional or final offer letter given by an eligible Irish higher education institution
• An updated CV
• A personal statement
• Two reference letters (academic or professional, as specified)
• Proof of English language proficiency (such as IELTS or TOEFL), if required by the institution