Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2025-26

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for 2025-26 offers a highly sought-after opportunity for both domestic and international students to pursue research master’s or doctoral degrees in any discipline. Managed by Research Ireland, this prestigious program provides a comprehensive funding package, including an annual stipend of EUR 25,000, a contribution to tuition fees of up to EUR 5,750 (with an additional EUR 4,000 available for non-EU students), and an annual research expense allowance of EUR 3,250. With a highly competitive selection process, the scholarship is awarded to candidates who demonstrate exceptional potential as future research leaders, supporting their full-time research for up to two years for a master’s or four years for a doctoral degree.

In this blog, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the scholarship, including its generous benefits, eligibility criteria, and key application dates, to help you navigate your path to becoming a future research leader in Ireland.

Scholarship Name	Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOI-PG)
Country Providing	Ireland
Target Audience	Irish, EU, and international students pursuing a full-time research master’s or doctoral degree in Ireland.
Award	Stipend: EUR 25,000 per year Fee Contribution: Up to EUR 5,750 per year (plus an additional EUR 4,000 for non-EU students to offset higher fees) Research Expenses: EUR 3,250 per year
Deadline	Applicant Deadline: October 23, 2025 Supervisor Deadline: November 6, 2025 Research Office Endorsement: November 13, 2025
Submission Methods	Online application via the Research Ireland’s SmartSimple platform.
Official link	www.researchireland.ie/funding/government-ireland-postgraduate/

Benefits of Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOI-PG) is a prestigious and highly sought-after award that offers significant benefits to international students. These benefits extend beyond just financial support, providing a comprehensive package designed to foster world-class research and academic excellence.

• Annual Stipend: Scholars receive an annual stipend of EUR 25,000. This non-taxable grant is designed to cover living expenses, such as housing, food, and daily necessities.
• Fee Contribution: The program contributes up to EUR 5,750 per year toward tuition and university registration fees. For international students, who often face higher fees, the scholarship provides an additional EUR 4,000 annually, significantly easing the financial burden.
• Research Expenses: A separate allowance of EUR 3,250 per year is provided to cover eligible direct research costs. This can be used for essential items like equipment, conference travel, research materials, and other project-specific expenses.
• Prestigious Recognition: The scholarship is a mark of academic excellence and is highly respected internationally.
• Research Freedom: The program supports “bottom-up, non-directed research,” meaning you have the unique opportunity to design and lead your own research project from the early stages of your career, with the guidance of a supervisor.
• Interdisciplinary and Innovative Focus: The scholarship encourages proposals that are pioneering, interdisciplinary, or address new and emerging fields of research.
• International Peer Review: The selection process is a rigorous and objective international peer review, ensuring that awards are given to the most deserving candidates based on the quality of their research proposal and academic track record.

Eligibility Criteria For Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOI-PG) is open to international students, but they must meet specific academic, institutional, and application criteria.

• Must have a first-class or upper second-class honors bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree.
• Must secure a supervisor at an eligible Irish university or research institution.
• Application Categories:
  • Category 1: EU, EEA, Swiss, UK, and Ukrainian nationals.
  • Category 2: All other international students (a limited number of awards are reserved for this group).
• Must be applying for a full-time research Master’s or PhD program.
• Can be a new applicant or a current student who has not completed more than the first year of their degree.
• Cannot have more than two previous unsuccessful applications to the GOI-PG program.
• Must have formal endorsement from the proposed supervisor, who can only endorse one applicant per call.

Also Read: Study in Ireland for Free : List of Scholarships in Irealnd

Application Process For Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 

The application process for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOI-PG) is conducted entirely online through the Research Ireland SmartSimple platform. It’s a multi-stage process that requires careful attention to deadlines and specific documentation from both the applicant and their proposed supervisor.

• You must first create an account on the Research Ireland online system. From there, you’ll be able to access the application form.
• Before you can even access the full application, you must pass a short eligibility quiz on the portal. This confirms that you meet the basic requirements of the program.
• Completing the online application form is the most detailed part of the process. You’ll need to provide:
  • Personal and academic information.
  • A comprehensive research proposal outlining your project’s objectives, methodology, and significance.
  • A detailed CV including your academic history, research experience, publications, and awards.
  • Information about your proposed primary supervisor and eligible Irish research body.
• It’s the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their proposed primary supervisor completes and submits a separate endorsement form through the online system by their specific deadline.
• After you and your supervisor have submitted your forms, the application is passed on to the research office at your proposed Irish institution for a final endorsement. This is the final step in the application process.

Selection Process of Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

The selection process for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOI-PG) is highly competitive and is based on a rigorous, two-stage international, independent peer-review system. The process is designed to be as objective as possible, with applications judged on a specific set of criteria.

The selection process for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOI-PG) is based on a rigorous, two-stage international peer-review system.

• Eligibility Check: An initial administrative review to confirm all applications meet the program’s basic criteria.
• International Peer Review: Eligible applications are evaluated and scored by international experts in the applicant’s field.

The final score is a weighted average of four important criteria:

• Applicant (40%): Assesses the applicant’s academic record, research potential, and critical thinking skills.
• Project (40%): Evaluates the scientific merit, originality, and feasibility of the proposed research.
• Training & Career Development (10%): Reviews how the scholarship will enhance the applicant’s skills and future career.
• Environment (10%): Considers the quality of the supervisor, institution, and available resources.

Tips for a Successful Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Application

Winning a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is a significant achievement, as the program is highly competitive with a success rate of around 18%. To maximize your chances, a well-structured and compelling application is essential. Here are key tips to help you stand out.

Focus on the Research Proposal (40% of score):

• Propose an innovative, original, and impactful project.
• Ensure your writing is clear and concise, avoiding jargon.
• Demonstrate that your research plan is realistic and feasible.

Select the Right Supervisor and Institution (10% of score):

• Choose a supervisor with expertise in your field who enthusiastically supports your project.
• Explain why the specific Irish institution is the ideal environment for your research.

Showcase Your Research Potential (40% of score):

• Highlight your strong academic record and any prior research experience in your CV.
• Provide evidence of your skills and aptitude for independent critical thinking.

Outline Career Development (10% of score):

• Clearly articulate how the scholarship will help you achieve your long-term career goals.
• Identify specific skills you aim to develop during the program.

General Tips:

• Start the application process well in advance of the deadline.
• Carefully proofread your application to avoid errors.
• Read all official program documents for detailed instructions.

Also Read: Ireland Student VisaIreland Student Visa 2025

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