About this scholarship
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) program helps outstanding international students who want to study at NFQ levels 9 or 10, which include master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, or PhDs, in Ireland. The program is supported by the Government of Ireland along with Irish higher education institutions and is run by the Higher Education Authority. Each year, 60 scholarships are given under this program.These scholarships cover one full year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10.
The Ireland International Education Scholarship from the government gives a payment of €10,000 for one year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10. The universities where the awardees are studying must provide them with a complete fee waiver for the entire year of their scholarship.
Eligibility of this scholarship
To qualify for a Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, applicants must be from a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Candidates must first apply for admission to a master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD program at an eligible Irish higher education institution, following the institution’s usual admission process. Candidates should contact the appropriate higher education institution directly to check if their course is eligible for the GOI-IES. In Appendix 1 of the 2026 GOI-IES call document titled "Eligible Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)," you can find the contact information for the institutions when it is available. Appendix 1 can be found on this webpage as a separate file and might include more contact information in the future.
Applicants need to have either a conditional or final acceptance letter from a qualified Irish higher education institution when they apply for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship. You need to include proof of admission along with your GOI-IES application, in the appropriate part of the application form. People who have already received a GOI-IES scholarship cannot apply for this position. Russian and Belarusian citizens are not allowed to apply.
Assessment process
Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- a record of outstanding academic achievement;
- excellent communication skills;
- Joining in activities outside of regular school or work, like helping others, getting involved in politics, creating art, or playing sports.
- A compelling justification for undertaking their academic program in Ireland must clearly articulate how the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship serves as a strategic catalyst for their long-term objectives, demonstrating an alignment between the scholarship's provisions and their future aspirations.
- The relevant higher education institutions will receive applications and criteria for eligibility, which will be reviewed and shortlisted based on their alignment with institutional strategic objectives. The applications that make it to the shortlist will be reviewed by a group of independent assessors. Comprehensive particulars regarding the assessment procedure are delineated within the 2026 Call document.