Are you studying in Ireland and looking for a scholarship? The wait is over! Government of Ireland Scholarships is a fully funded scholarship for universities in Ireland for Masters and PhD students.
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme provides a stipend of €19,000 per year, plus a contribution to fees up to a maximum of €5,750 per year, and other eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per year.
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme stands as a prominent and esteemed initiative within the Irish research landscape.
This scholarship is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and managed by the Council.
The scholarships are of two types; Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships and Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship.
The duration of a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship varies from one to four years, depending on the type of degree being pursued and the date of the first registration, if applicable.
This scholarship program offers prestigious opportunities for outstanding research across diverse disciplines, ranging from archaeology to zoology.
In this guide, we will explain a single thing about the Government of Ireland Scholarships for Postgraduate and doctoral students from benefits to the application process.
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Government of Ireland Scholarships
1. Benefits of Government of Ireland Scholarships
2. Eligibility criteria for applying to Government of Ireland Scholarships
3. Programs offered at Government of Ireland Scholarships
4. Which documents are required for the Government of Ireland Scholarships?
5. How to apply for Government of Ireland Scholarships?
6. What are the deadlines for Government of Ireland Scholarships?
7. List of Universities for Government of Ireland Scholarships
8. FAQs about Government of Ireland Scholarships
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1. Benefits of Government of Ireland Scholarships
1.1. Benefits for Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships:
- €19,000 stipend per year.
- a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per year.
- Eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per year.
1.2. Benefits of Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Scholarship:
- Postdoctoral Fellowship holders will get a salary of €39,132 in the first year of the award and €39,686 in the second year of the award.
- Employer’s PRSI contribution.
- Eligible direct research expenses of €5,000 per annum.
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2. Eligibility criteria for applying to Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships
Eligibility criteria for Government of Ireland Scholarships:
- No age limit to apply.
- All world countries are eligible to apply for Government of Ireland Scholarships.
- All applicants must be affiliated with an eligible Irish higher education institution or research-performing organization.
- The Applicants must not have been employed as a postdoctoral researcher for more than five years as of May 31, 2023.
5. For Postgraduate Applicants:
- They must possess a bachelor’s degree with first- or upper-second-class honours, or its equivalent.
- The applicant must hold a master’s degree if they do not have a first-class or upper second-class honors bachelor’s degree.
6. For Postdoctoral Fellowships:
For postdoctoral fellowship applicants, the doctoral degree must have been awarded within the five-year period before May 31, 2023.
7. All applications must need an academic supervisor/mentor for the proposed research project.
8. Applicants must not have had two previous unsuccessful applications to the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships.
9. The Irish Research Council won’t fund research activities in areas like”
- Human cloning for reproductive purposes.
- Genetic Modification of humans with potentially heritable changes.
- Creation of human embryos exclusively for research purposes.
- Stem cell procurement
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3. Programs offered at Government of Ireland Scholarships
Degree Type |
Duration of Funding Awarded |
| Research Master’s Degree | 1 year |
| Structured Research Master’s | 2 years |
| Traditional Doctoral Degree | 3 years |
| Structured Doctoral Degree | 4 years |
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4. Which documents are required for the Government of Ireland Scholarships?
4.2 Important details to submit during application for Government of Ireland Scholarships
4.3. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
4.4. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for Government of Ireland Scholarships
4.5. Recommendation letters / Letters of References
4.8. Hope certificate (If applicable)
4.9. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional) for Government of Ireland Scholarships
4.10. Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation for Government of Ireland Scholarships
4.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic records like:
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
NOTE:
All of the above documents need to be attested by respective boards.
Also, attest them from the issuing authority of home countries. The respective university must attest university documents.
In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan.
HEC office attests to bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. documents.
4.2. Important details to submit during application for Government of Ireland Scholarships
- Write the details of the Mentor(Postdoctoral) and Supervisor(Postgraduate) you have selected in Ireland.
- A complete detail about the Proposed research.
- Relevant Work Experience(in case you are applying for a Postdoctoral Fellowship)
- Publications and other research outputs.
- Personal, Ethical, and Sex/Gender Statements.
- Training and Career Development Plan (For Postgraduate)
4.3. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
- The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
- The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival to Ireland.
- A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
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4.4. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for Government of Ireland Scholarships
Here are the complete English proficiency requirements set by the Government of Ireland Scholarship 2023-24:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum acceptable scores are: 220 (computer-based test) and 550 (paper-based test)
- PTE academic: Minimum score of 63.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Composite score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any one component.
4.5. Recommendation letters / Letters of References
The applicants must provide up to 2 leadership letters of reference of a maximum of two pages from the previous university, (Depending upon courses).
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a PhD.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and stamp and be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they have known the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
After submitting your application, the referee will be contacted directly through email.
4.6. CV
Europass CV can be easily made here.
The CV must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand-signed.
4.7. GRE Score
The GRE score must be 145 in accordance with the new scoring system. The score must be much higher in subjects related to your academic field.
For example, Students with engineering backgrounds must have good scores in Physics, chemistry, etc. while students of Social science and humanities must have good scores in Verbal subjects.
Note: You can apply for the reimbursement of the GRE fee if you get shortlisted and have an outstanding GRE Score.
4.8. Hope certificate (If applicable)
If the final transcript isn’t ready then students can apply with a Hope certificate from their university.
However, they must graduate before their arrival in Ireland.
(Please make sure you contact your university in this regard)
What is Hope’s certificate?
In simple words, It is a certificate based on the previous semester’s performance, that indicates that the candidate will pass the final exams with excellent results.
4.9. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional)
Research publications/ Achievements (conference papers, article review, abstract of thesis)
The research proposal is mostly required for postdocs or Ph.D. students. (Depends upon the courses)
It asks you to write about the research project you agreed to complete with the assigned academic advisor. Here is the link to Research Categorisation.
Your research proposal should be a brief description of your research goals and objectives, the methods with which you wish to process that research, the outcomes you desire, the timeline and budget you have estimated, and the area of study you wish to explore.
It shall be a brief document yet explain the entire vision to the reader so that those analyzing your application can know your objectives and grant you the scholarship if they match the program’s criteria and eligibility.
Taking help from an external party is strictly prohibited and violation in this regard could lead to your disqualification no matter how incredible your proposal is.
4.10. Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation for Government of Ireland Scholarships
Technically SOP (Statement of purpose) and LOM (Letter of Motivation) are the same.
It’s a Short biography to tell the panelist about yourself:
A letter of motivation or SOP could be a tricky part while applying for the Government of Ireland Scholarships.
In this letter, you are asked to write about your personal and professional reasons why you are applying for a course & scholarship.
The maximum length of this letter is three pages, But it is advised to make it short & concise to one page.
How to write a perfect letter of Motivation?
If you are interested in writing your LOM on one page concisely, then follow this exact method.
LOM consists of three parts:
Let’s explain these three things one by one.
4.10.1. Introduction:
Introduction is the gateway to the rest of the letter. Try to capture their interest in the first few sentences. Be original & creative.
Make it personal & full of enthusiasm.
TIP: Try to initiate a story about yourself relevant to the scholarship you are applying for & then expand it to the first paragraph of the body.
4.10.2. Body:
In the first paragraph of the body, try to tell about your relevant academic & experienced background to the course and your professional goals attached to Ireland and the university. Share your expectations of the scholarship.
In the 2nd paragraph be more precise & focus on the specific achievement related to the scholarship & course.
In the 3rd paragraph expand on what you are currently doing & the interesting things you look forward to.
4.10.3. Conclusion:
Tell them why you are the best candidate for the Government of Ireland Scholarships. Don’t sound needy or use pompous language instead focus on why you deserve it.
Tell them how this scholarship will help you or the future of your community.
4.11. Experience letter
Applicants must provide an Experience letter from their previous jobs and internships.
Try to customize the work experience letter with future studies.
Mention your job descriptions, work projects & the skills you learned through time.
The letter must be signed & verified by the Head or CEO of the company.
The work experience could be Paid,
Unpaid,
full-time,
part-time, or voluntary.
It could be done before, during, or after graduation.
4.12. Portfolios or workshop
It’s optional. However, students can attach portfolios or workshops to support their cases for university admission or scholarship.
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5. How to apply for Government of Ireland Scholarships?
5.1. Get an offer letter for a University
5.2. Register at the Irish Research Council & ORCID
Shortcuts to Apply for Scholarships from the Government of Ireland:
Apply to a Government of Ireland Listed University > Get an Offer letter > Register at ORCID > Register at Irish Research Council > Choose a Program > Find a Supervisor/Mentor > Submit your application.
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship.
5.1. Get an offer letter for a University
The first step in applying to the Government or Ireland Scholarships is to hold an offer letter to a university that is approved by the Ireland Government Scholarships.
You can see the list of all the approved universities below.
5.2. Register at the Irish Research Council & ORCID
Before starting the application you need to make an ORCID at this link.
An ORCID iD, which is provided by ORCID and sets you apart from every other researcher, is a persistent digital identifier that you own and control.
The next step is to make an account on the Irish Research Council Website. After registration, you will get your login credentials.
See the screenshot below!
5.3. Choose a Program
After login, you will be asked whether you want to apply for the postgraduate scholarship or postdoctoral fellowship.
There will be an eligibility quiz for you according to the program you have chosen.
Please read the questions carefully, as your application submission will depend upon this quiz entirely.
See the screenshot below!
5.4. Find a Supervisor/Mentor
You have to select a supervisor or mentor in the University you got your admission to, with his/her complete details.
Without a supervisor or mentor, you won’t be able to apply as the Irish Research Council is not responsible for finding you a supervisor or mentor.
Never add a supervisor/mentor without their approval to be your supervisor/mentor.
If you cannot find your chosen primary supervisor/mentor in the supervisor/mentor search bar, please contact them to ensure they have been registered through the research office in their higher education institution.
5.5. Submit your Application
First, Refer to section 4.2 for the things you would need before submitting the application.
After filling out everything, you can submit the application and if selected you will receive a call for an interview through email.
6. What are the deadlines for Government of Ireland Scholarships?
Here are all the deadlines for Ireland Government Postgraduate Scholarships 2023-24:
| Event | Date and Time |
| Scholarship opening date | 31 August 2023 |
| Applicant Submission Deadline | 12 October 2023, 16:00 (Irish time) |
| Supervisor/Mentor Submission Deadline | 19 October 2023, 16:00 (Irish time) |
| Research Office Endorsement Deadline | 26 October 2023, 16:00 (Irish time) |
| Result announcing date | April 2024 |
| Award Start Date | 1 September 2024 |
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7. List of Universities for Government of Ireland Scholarships
List of Universities for Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship:
University |
Website |
| Athlone Institute of Technology | Website |
| College of Computing Technology, Dublin | Website |
| Cork Institute of Technology | Website |
| Dublin Business School | Website |
| Dublin City University | Website |
| Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology | Website |
| Dundalk Institute of Technology | Website |
| Galway Business School | Website |
| Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology | Website |
| Griffith College, Dublin | Website |
| ICD Business School, Dublin | Website |
| Independent College, Dublin | Website |
| Institute of Technology, Carlow | Website |
| Institute of Technology, Sligo | Website |
| Institute of Technology, Tralee | Website |
| Letterkenny Institute of Technology | Website |
| Limerick Institute of Technology | Website |
| Mary Immaculate College, Limerick | Website |
| Maynooth University | Website |
| National College of Art and Design, Dublin | Website |
| National College of Ireland, Dublin | Website |
| National University of Ireland, Galway | Website |
| The National University of Ireland, Maynooth | Website |
| Royal College of Surgeons | Website |
| Technological University for Dublin | Website |
| Trinity College Dublin | Website |
| University College Cork | Website |
| University College Dublin | Website |
| University of Limerick | Website |
| Waterford Institute of Technology | Website |
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8. FAQs about Government of Ireland Scholarships
8.1. What is the master scholarship for 2024 in Ireland?
A: The master scholarship for 2024 includes Free of cost education in Irish Universities for up to €5,750 per annum.
Annually paid stipend money of around €18,500. Annual funding for conducting research work for up to €3,250.
8.2. Are there any scholarships for Undergraduate students in Ireland?
A: Yes, there are Ireland Government scholarships for Undergraduate students which particularly include a stipend of 10,000 euros per year.
The Government scholarships for undergraduate students in Ireland would open in January or February.
8.3. Is IELTS required for an Ireland government scholarship?
A: Yes, IELTS is a must for studying in Ireland. Please see section 4.4 for complete details.
8.4. How much bank statement is required for an Ireland student visa?
A: You need to show proof that you have enough money to pay for your tuition and living expenses during your stay in the country.
You shouldn’t rely on government aid or temporary jobs for this. A bank statement for the six months leading up to your visa application can help demonstrate this.
8.5. How much can a student earn in Ireland while studying?
A: Cities like Dublin and Cork have part-time minimum wages in Ireland that range from €10 to €12 per hour.
In places other than Dublin and Tier 2 cities like Limerick, the minimum wage is between €8 and €9.
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Conclusion
The Government of Ireland Scholarships for 2023-24 were announced on 31st August 2023 with amazing opportunities for students pursuing higher education in Ireland.
The scholarships are available for Masters and PhD programs, with a stipend of €19,000 stipend per year for Postgraduate students and a salary package of €39,132 for first-year postdoctoral students.
Anyone from around the world can apply for these scholarships, and there is no age limit.
If you want to pursue your research studies in Europe, the Government of Ireland Scholarships is one of the best options.
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We cover everything in detail, but if you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments.
