Studying in Ireland for (Almost) Free? Meet the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship 2026

Picture this.
You are walking across a beautiful Irish university campus, coffee in one hand and assignment deadlines in the other. Somehow, your tuition fees are completely waived and your living expenses are partly covered. Sounds like a study abroad dream, right?

Well, it is very real.

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is opening its 2026 call on 29 January 2026, and if studying in Ireland has ever been on your wish list, this is an opportunity worth serious attention.

What Is the GOI-IES?

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is a prestigious and highly competitive scholarship funded by the Government of Ireland, in partnership with Irish higher education institutions and managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Each year, 60 outstanding international students are selected to study in Ireland at:

• Master’s level
• Postgraduate Diploma level
• PhD level

All programmes must be at NFQ Level 9 or 10, meaning advanced postgraduate study across a wide range of disciplines.

What Does the Scholarship Include?

This is where the scholarship becomes truly attractive.

Successful applicants receive:

• A €10,000 stipend for one year to support living expenses such as accommodation, food and daily costs
• A full tuition fee waiver from the host Irish higher education institution for the scholarship year

The scholarship is awarded for one academic year only. Some institutions may extend the fee waiver for longer courses, but the stipend amount remains €10,000.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Are from outside the EU, EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland
• Have a conditional or final offer of admission from an eligible Irish higher education institution
• Are applying for a full-time, in-person Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma or PhD programme
• Have not previously held a Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

You are not eligible if you have already received a GOI-IES scholarship or if you are a Russian or Belarusian national.

Official link

How to Apply

The application process is straightforward, but it requires preparation.

Step 1: Secure an Offer of Admission

You must first apply directly to an eligible Irish higher education institution. This is completely separate from the scholarship application.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

You will need:

• Proof of admission (offer letter, offer email or official portal screenshot)
• Two references uploaded via the online portal
• A well-written personal statement explaining your goals and motivation

Step 3: Submit Your Online Application

Applications must be submitted through the official GOI-IES online portal, which will open when the call launches.

Only one application per candidate is allowed in the 2026 cycle. Multiple submissions will result in disqualification.

How Are Applications Assessed?

This scholarship looks beyond grades alone.

Applicants are assessed on:

• Academic qualifications and work experience (40 marks)
• Personal statement (45 marks), focusing on:
  • Personal and professional benefits of becoming a GOI-IES scholar
  • Contribution to the host institution and Irish society
  • Long-term engagement with Ireland
• Two references (15 marks)

Strong communication skills, extracurricular involvement and a clear reason for choosing Ireland all play an important role in the evaluation process.

Key Dates for 2026

• Call opens: 29 January 2026
• Application deadline: 12 March 2026 at 5pm Irish time
• Results announced: Early June 2026
• Programme start: September or October 2026

Missing the deadline is not an option, as late applications are not accepted.

What Happens If You Are Selected?

Successful candidates will receive an official award letter from the Higher Education Authority. Scholars must live in Ireland for the duration of their studies and begin their programme in the 2026 academic year.

An official Government of Ireland scholarship award event is expected to take place in Spring 2027.

Need More Information?

You can find detailed information in the official 2026 GOI-IES Call Document, FAQs and sample application form. Many universities also provide GOI-IES details on their websites.

If you still have questions, you can contact the scholarship team at goi-ies@hea.ie. Institution-specific questions should be directed to the relevant university.

Final Thoughts

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is competitive, but for the right candidate, it can be truly life-changing.

If you are academically driven, internationally minded and serious about studying in Ireland, this scholarship is absolutely worth applying for.

Now is the time to prepare, plan and put your best application forward. Ireland might just be your next academic home.