2027 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships: Funding Guide Open To International Applicants

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme has been an important funding opportunity for students pursuing research master’s degrees and PhD programmes in Ireland. It supported talented researchers across a wide range of academic disciplines, offering financial assistance for living expenses, university fees and eligible research costs.

However, applicants planning to apply in 2027 should be aware of an important update: the original Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is now closed and has been integrated into the newly established Empower programme. The change means prospective researchers should check the current Research Ireland funding opportunities rather than assume the previous individual scholarship application process remains available. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search0″,”turn445736search1”]}/>

The original Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme was designed to support outstanding research talent, encourage innovative projects and strengthen Ireland’s position as an international centre for research and higher education.

This guide explains how the former scholarship worked, the funding it offered, who it supported and what prospective postgraduate researchers should know before exploring current funding opportunities in Ireland.

At a Glance: Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

The funding amounts shown above relate to the 2025 call and should not be treated as the current terms of the Empower programme. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search0″,”turn445736search1”]}/>

About the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme was a national research funding initiative supported by Ireland’s Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and administered through the Irish Research Council, whose functions have been incorporated into Research Ireland.

The programme offered competitive awards to researchers undertaking full-time postgraduate research at eligible Irish higher education and research institutions.

Unlike scholarships restricted to a small number of academic subjects, the former scheme supported research across diverse disciplines, from archaeology and humanities to science, engineering and zoology. It also encouraged interdisciplinary proposals and innovative research addressing emerging challenges. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search1″,”turn445736search5”]}/>

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme was particularly valuable for candidates who wanted to develop independent research projects under the supervision of experienced academic researchers.

Successful applicants were selected through a competitive assessment process that considered the quality and potential of their research and academic preparation.

Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support

The former Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme provided financial support to help researchers undertake postgraduate study without having to cover all research-related expenses independently.

Under the 2025 call, the maximum annual award was €31,000, comprising three main components:

• Annual stipend: €22,000 to support the scholar’s living expenses.
• Fee contribution: Up to €5,750 per year, including eligible non-EU tuition fees.
• Direct research expenses: €3,250 per year for approved research-related costs.

These components added up to a maximum of €31,000 per approved year under the 2025 funding structure. The amounts and conditions could differ between calls, and this historical package should not be assumed to apply to Empower or future funding programmes. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search1”]}/>

The former scheme supported eligible research master’s degrees and doctoral programmes. Funding duration depended on the qualification and the applicant’s circumstances under the applicable call conditions.

Eligible Research Areas

One of the programme’s distinctive features was its support for research across a broad range of disciplines.

Depending on the call and the approved project, research areas could include:

• Biological sciences and biotechnology.
• Agriculture and environmental science.
• Engineering and technology.
• Computer science and artificial intelligence.
• Medicine and health-related research.
• Business, economics and social sciences.
• History, literature and archaeology.
• Climate change and sustainable development.

Applicants were encouraged to develop original research proposals that demonstrated academic value, innovation and a clear contribution to their chosen field.

Some awards were also supported by strategic funding partners, including government departments and agencies with specific research priorities. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search1″,”turn445736search5”]}/>

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Who Could Apply?

Eligibility for the former Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme depended on the relevant annual call, the applicant’s academic qualifications and their proposed research arrangements.

Generally, prospective applicants needed to consider the following requirements:

• Appropriate academic qualifications for research master’s or doctoral study.
• A suitable research proposal.
• An eligible Irish research institution and research supervisor.
• Compliance with the relevant application and registration conditions.
• The ability to undertake full-time research.
• Any nationality, previous-registration or other restrictions specified in the call documentation.

International researchers could be eligible under the applicable scheme conditions. However, eligibility was not automatic, and applicants needed to verify the rules in the relevant annual call.

The original programme is closed, so these historical criteria should not be interpreted as the eligibility requirements for Empower or any replacement funding opportunity.

How the Application Process Worked

Under the former scheme, applicants prepared their research proposals and submitted applications through the programme’s online application system.

The process generally involved:

1. Reviewing the annual call documentation.
2. Identifying an eligible Irish research institution.
3. Discussing the proposed project with a prospective supervisor.
4. Preparing the research proposal and supporting documents.
5. Completing the online application.
6. Arranging the required academic references.
7. Ensuring that the application and institutional endorsements were submitted by their respective deadlines.

Applications underwent a competitive assessment process involving independent expert review. The programme’s historical average success rate was approximately 18% over the five years reported on the Irish Research Council’s programme page. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search1”]}/>

What Has Changed for 2027 Applicants?

The most important update is that the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is no longer accepting applications under its original structure. Research Ireland states that it has been integrated into the newly established Empower programme. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search0”]}/>

Empower is structured differently. Rather than accepting individual scholarship applications through the former process, it uses an invited call in which eligible higher education institutions submit applications for funding at institutional level. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search0”]}/>

Consequently, students seeking funding for 2027 should:

• Visit the official Research Ireland funding website.
• Check the current Empower programme information.
• Contact eligible Irish universities about available research funding.
• Ask university research offices about upcoming opportunities and institutional selection processes.
• Confirm funding amounts, eligibility requirements and application dates directly with the relevant institution.

Official funding information: https://www.researchireland.ie/funding/government-ireland-postgraduate/

Applicants interested in international postgraduate study should also investigate other Irish funding opportunities, including the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship. This is a separate programme with different eligibility rules, funding arrangements and application procedures. <Cite refs={[“turn445736search4”]}/>

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship open for 2027?

The original programme is closed and has been integrated into Empower. Applicants should consult Research Ireland for current funding arrangements.

How much was the scholarship worth?

Under the 2025 call, the maximum annual award was €31,000, including a €22,000 stipend, up to €5,750 towards fees and €3,250 for eligible research expenses.

Could international students apply?

International applicants could be eligible under the former scheme’s conditions. Requirements for current funding opportunities must be checked separately.

Did the programme support PhD students?

Yes. The former scheme supported eligible research master’s and doctoral candidates undertaking full-time research.

Final Thoughts

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme played an important role in supporting postgraduate researchers and innovative academic projects across Ireland. Its former funding package provided a stipend, a contribution towards tuition fees and support for eligible research expenses.

For prospective applicants targeting 2027, the priority is to understand the transition to Empower and investigate current university-level funding opportunities. Always verify the latest requirements through Research Ireland and the relevant Irish institution before preparing an application.

Focus Keyword: Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

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