Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) 2026

Overview

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) programme is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions. Managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the program was created to attract strong international students to Irish universities. Each year, 60 scholarships are awarded for one year of postgraduate study at the master's, postgraduate diploma, or PhD level.

GOI-IES is open to citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It covers a full tuition fee waiver and provides a EUR 10,000 stipend for living expenses. The award covers one year only, but it makes a real dent in the cost of postgraduate education in Ireland, especially for one-year taught master's programmes, which are common in the Irish system.

The 2026 cycle opened on January 29, 2026, with a deadline of March 12, 2026. All applications go through the GOI-IES online portal. You need a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish institution before applying. The programme covers all academic disciplines at NFQ Level 9 or 10, making it one of the broadest government scholarship schemes available for study in Ireland.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You need a conditional or final offer of admission to a master's, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programme (NFQ Level 9 or 10) at an eligible Irish higher education institution. Strong academic performance is expected.

Nationality Requirements

Your domiciliary of origin must be outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. EU/EEA, Swiss, and UK citizens are not eligible.

Language Requirements

English proficiency as required by your Irish institution's admission standards. Most Irish universities need IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 90+ for postgraduate programmes.

Work Experience

Not required, though relevant professional experience may strengthen your application depending on the programme.

Other Requirements

Previous GOI-IES recipients cannot reapply. Only one application per candidate per cycle. The programme must be at an eligible Irish higher education institution.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition fee waiver including all registration charges for one year
• EUR 10,000 stipend for living expenses (accommodation, food, daily costs)
• Access to Irish research facilities and academic resources
• Available at any eligible Irish higher education institution
• All academic disciplines are eligible at NFQ Level 9 or 10
• International recognition through a Government of Ireland-branded scholarship

How to Apply

1. Secure Admission to an Irish Institution: Apply for admission to a master's, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programme at an eligible Irish institution. You must have a conditional or final offer before you can apply for GOI-IES.
2. Prepare Application Materials: Gather proof of admission, two reference letters, your academic CV, and a personal statement explaining your motivation and goals. Make sure documents match the format specified by the GOI-IES portal.
3. Submit Application via the GOI-IES Online Portal: Complete and submit your application through the 2026 portal. Upload all documents including both references. One application per candidate only.
4. Review and Evaluation: The HEA and a selection panel evaluate applications on academic merit, quality of the personal statement, strength of references, and alignment with the programme's internationalization goals.
5. Results and Enrollment: Results come out in early June 2026. Winners confirm acceptance, finalize visa arrangements, and enroll at their Irish institution for the autumn semester.

Required Documents

• Proof of conditional or final admission to an eligible Irish postgraduate programme
• Two academic or professional reference letters uploaded via the online portal
• Personal statement or motivation letter
• Academic CV or resume
• Official academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Copy of valid passport or national identity document
• English language proficiency certificate (if required by the institution)
• Evidence of nationality/domiciliary of origin outside EU/EEA, Switzerland, and UK