Research Ireland Announces Postgraduate Scholarships - Offers Up to €34,000 for Masters & PhDs

If you’ve ever dreamed of diving into research in a way that actually lets you focus on your ideas (instead of just running errands for your supervisor), then Ireland has something exciting in store for you. Meet Research Ireland, the shiny new research and innovation funding agency launched in August 2024. Think of it as Ireland’s Avengers of research funding: it brings together the powers of the Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to create one mega-agency dedicated to fueling fresh ideas.

And one of its biggest offerings? The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, a mouthful, yes, but also one of the most prestigious research scholarships in Europe.

What’s the Big Deal About This Scholarship?

• Freedom to explore: You get to propose your own project, in any field, from archaeology to zoology.
• Funding that actually covers your life: Up to €34,000 per year (around ₹30 lakh!) to keep your research dreams alive without you surviving on instant noodles.
• Flexibility: From arts and humanities to hardcore STEM fields, the scholarship welcomes all disciplines.
• Prestige: An average success rate of just 18%, meaning if you get in, you’re officially among the best of the best.

Official link

The Money Talk: What’s Included

The scholarship is valued at up to €34,000 per year, and here’s how it breaks down:

• €25,000 stipend
• Up to €5,750 towards tuition fees (yes, even non-EU fees)
• €3,250 to cover research costs (lab equipment, software, that one obscure book your project can’t live without)

Duration-wise, it’s 2 years for a Master’s by research and up to 4 years for a PhD.

Who Can Apply?

Here’s the fun part, it’s open to both domestic and international students. There’s no age limit, but you’ll need:

• A first-class or upper second-class honors bachelor’s degree (or a Master’s if your bachelor’s doesn’t cut it).
• A host research body in Ireland (basically, a university or institute that can house your project).
• A supervisor who’s ready to back you.

Oh, and don’t stress if you’ve taken a career break, maternity leave, paternity leave, long-term illness, etc. can all be considered in your eligibility.

How to Apply?

Applying for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is a fully online process. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• Apply early: Don’t wait until the deadline day, servers can get busy. If you’re applying on the last day, submit at least 8 hours before the cut-off.
• Find a supervisor: You must have a primary supervisor who agrees to guide your project. They also need to submit an endorsement form before the deadline. Without it, your application won’t count.
• One applicant per supervisor: A supervisor can officially support only one student for this scholarship, though they can co-supervise others.
• Stick to the form: Only submit what’s asked for, extra documents will make your application ineligible.
• Ask for help early: Start by contacting your university’s Research Office if you have questions. They can escalate queries if needed.

Pro tip: Talk to your supervisor and Research Office well in advance. Last-minute applications often run into avoidable problems.

Strategic Funding Partners

What’s extra cool is that several Irish government departments and agencies also pitch in. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency, Met Éireann, and the Department of Foreign Affairs offer scholarships tied to their themes. So if your project aligns, you’ve got even more chances to snag funding.

Application Timeline

Applications go through Research Ireland’s online system (no hard copies, sorry). Pro tip: don’t wait until the last minute, servers get jammed, and you don’t want to miss out because of bad timing. Successful candidates will start their scholarship from September 2026.

• Applicant Deadline - 23rd October 2025
• Supervisor Deadline - 6th November 2025
• Research Office deadline - 13th November 2025

Why You Should Care

Ireland is essentially giving you the keys if you've ever wanted to carry out ground-breaking research on a global scale with complete financial support. This scholarship is more than just money; it's an acknowledgement that your thoughts are valued and that you have the capacity to lead research in the future.

Therefore, whether you have a strong interest in artificial intelligence, medieval poetry, or climate change, the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme may be your key to having a real change.