Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships Program

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) program supports exceptional international students aiming to pursue master's or PhD studies in Ireland. Funded by the Government of Ireland in collaboration with Irish higher education institutions and managed by the Higher Education Authority, this initiative awards 60 scholarships annually for one year of full-time study at the master's or PhD level. The program is open to applicants from any field of study. 

The 2025 GOI-IES scheme aims at reflecting Ireland’s engagement in target partner countries. The scheme is funded in partnership with the Government of Ireland and the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

What are the Benefits of the Government of Ireland Scholarships?

A Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship includes a stipend of 10,000 euros for one year of full-time study at the master's or PhD level. Additionally, the host higher education institutions must provide a full fee waiver for the scholarship recipients for the duration of the award. Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies in either September or October 2026.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for the Government of Ireland Scholarships?

To be eligible for the Ireland Government Scholarship for International Students, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

• Be a non-EEA international student, continuously resident outside the EU/EEA/United Kingdom/Switzerland region for at least 3 of the past 5 years
• Get admission to an eligible Irish university 
• Enroll in a one-year taught Master’s program or one year of a Ph.D. program
• Receive a conditional or final offer letter 
• Must commence study in September/October 2026
• Possess excellent communication skills

Irish universities offering the scholarship

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What is the Application Process for the Government of Ireland Scholarships?

To apply for Irish Government Scholarship, go through the following steps:

• Visit the official website of the Ireland Higher Education Authority
• Register and proceed with further actions
• Fill in the details and submit the required documents

• 
  Academic certificates, past achievements, and/or work experience
• 
  A personal statement, answering questions asked
• 
  Two references

What is the Selection Process for the Government of Ireland Scholarships?

The following selection procedure is followed by the HEA to select the eligible candidates for the Ireland International Education Scholarship:

1. There is a marking scheme out of 100 as part of the selection process. The student gets certain points for fulfilling each of the eligibility requirements. Minimum 60 out of 100 is mandatory to be considered for the scholarship. 

• Academic qualifications, achievements, and/or work experience - 40 marks
• Personal statement on the benefits of becoming a GOI-IES scholar - to the student (personally and professionally), to Ireland (economically and societally), and to the student’s home country - 15 marks
• Statement on how the beneficiaries will actively involve in the Irish society beyond their studies to maximize the cultural exchange and upheld the themes of GOI-IES in Irelnd and beyond - 15 marks
• Essay to show the student’s long-term interest in Ireland and how will he/she promote links with Ireland as a scholar and alumni - 15 marks
• Two reference letters strictly uploaded via the portal - 15 marks

2. Students with no other funding options will get the priority. 

3. First round: In the first round, the HEA will share the applications with relevant institutions to get feedback. At this stage, factors like the applicant’s country of origin, proposed study cycle, field of study, and the number of scholarships at each institution are scrutinized. 

4. Second round: In the second round, an International Assessment Panel will evaluate the applications recommended by the institutions based on the material provided to the HEA.

5. Third round: The panel further individually assesses the applications and submits the reports. The panel reconciles and prepares the final rank list.

Once the rank list is published, the top 12 applications will be automatically selected. Remaining applications will be selected in the following order of priority: the institution, potential social and development benefits for the student’s home country, and the under-representation of women and men in certain disciplines in which they are traditionally under-represented.

How can I Contact the HEA for the Government of Ireland Scholarship?

To get your questions and queries answered, you can contact the HEA by using the below-mentioned contact details:

Email: info@hea.ie

Phone:  +353 1 231 71003 

Address: Shelbourne Buildings, Crampton Avenue, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 C2Y6

Frequently Asked Questions