If selected, you receive a €10,000 stipend to support living expenses for one year. On top of that, your Irish university provides a full tuition fee waiver for the scholarship year. This means no tuition or registration fees. The scholarship is valid for one academic year and begins in September or October 2026. Students must live in Ireland for the full duration.
The scholarship is open to non-EU, non-UK, non-Swiss students who already have an offer of admission from an eligible Irish higher education institution.
Eligible programs include:
• Master’s degrees
• Postgraduate diplomas
• Research master’s or PhD programs
Both conditional and final offers are accepted, as long as the offer is for the 2026–27 academic year.
This is not just about grades.
Applicants are assessed on:
• Academic performance and relevant work experience
• A strong personal statement explaining why Ireland matters to their goals
• Clear plans to engage with Irish society and culture
• Long-term interest in building links with Ireland
Extracurricular activities, leadership, research potential, and clarity of purpose all matter.
Each application is scored out of 100 marks:
• Academic background and experience: 40 marks
• Personal statement: 45 marks
• Two references: 15 marks
You must score at least 60 marks to be considered. Only the highest-scoring candidates are awarded scholarships. Decisions made by the Higher Education Authority are final.
• Application deadline: 12 March 2026 (5 pm Irish time)
• Results expected: Early June 2026
• Study starts: September or October 2026
The GOI-IES is highly competitive and designed for students with clear goals, strong academics, and a genuine reason to choose Ireland. A focused personal statement and strong references can make a real difference.
For official details and applications, visit:
https://hea.ie/policy/internationalisation/goi-ies/.
