Ireland
1 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length8-10 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
Grantee may pursue independent postgraduate research in any discipline, including the creative arts, or a taught master's degree.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant period of eight to ten months commencing August or September 2026.
Orientation
Orientation typically takes place in October, once the majority of grantees are in-country.
Candidate Profile
The Commission is seeking applicants who:
- Possess excellence (academically, personally, professionally, creatively);
- Demonstrate leadership experience, attributes and/or potential;
- Outline a strong rationale and feasible methodology for pursuing their project in Ireland that indicates how a Fulbright to Ireland fits into their longer term goals;
- Demonstrate the benefit of becoming a Fulbrighter; to themselves (personally and professionally), to their discipline, to society, to Ireland, to the Fulbright Program/Commission and to the U.S. when they return;
- Extend themselves beyond their project/studies to become actively involved in Irish society and the work of the Fulbright Commission.
The Commission is keen to support projects that bring awardees into contact with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly outside of academia, to maximize their academic/cultural exchange experience and to raise awareness of the Fulbright Program in Ireland.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Ireland is a friendly, engaging and vibrant country with centuries of U.S. interaction as part of its DNA. As an increasingly diverse society with a highly educated workforce, competitive educational system and millennia of culture, it is a popular choice for U.S. Student applicants.
Higher education in Ireland is provided by 12 universities, 2 Institutes of Technology, and a number of specialist colleges in art, business, law, music, medicine and theology. There are also a significant number of well-funded research centres and cultural institutions that may be considered as host options.
Irish colleges typically operate on a two-semester academic year: September to December and January to May. Further information on higher education in Ireland can be found here.
Most Higher Education Institutions are supported by the Irish government. For example, universities and Institutes of technology receive more than 90 percent of their income from the state. The Irish government has invested 2.5 billion euro establishing advanced centres of research, and world-class research facilities and programs that are an attractive destination for international exchange visitors.
Fulbright Alumni cite the following advantages associated with coming to Ireland: English-speaking; very welcoming; family-friendly; safe; intellectually challenging; culturally rich and diverse; and accessible. Please see the Commission’s Coming to Ireland page for more information and resources. Helpful advice on living and studying in Ireland can also be found on the official website of the Government of Ireland here.
Please contact the Fulbright Commission in Ireland via email at awards@fulbright.ie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSqPQGZKWc0 – Irish Fulbright Commission
For further information on Fulbright Alumni, please see the Alumni Directory here. A complete list of Fulbright Campus Ambassadors is also available to search and view.
Eligibility
12 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Applicants must include a timeline of the proposed project in the Statement of Grant Purpose. Please include the proposed start and end month in Ireland.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Language is English unless the applicant wishes to study the Irish language or requires access to Old Irish manuscripts. In such cases where a level of competency in the Irish language is required, please contact paula.melvin@fulbright.ie.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
For Research Students: applicants are responsible for establishing their own institutional affiliations and including an initial letter of affiliation in their application.
Applications are particularly welcome from candidates:
- affiliated with an academic or cultural institution or a governmental or non-governmental agency;
- whose projects have a connection with the following strategic areas: Future Technologies, Irish-U.S. Relations, Arts & Culture, Truth, and Climate.
For Degree-Seeking Students: applicants will need to apply for admission to a taught Master's program at any accredited third-level institution in the Republic of Ireland. Applicants are not expected to have a letter of admission at the time of application but should indicate which institution/program they are applying to in their applications. Final offers will be subject to admission to the relevant university.
Applicants wishing to apply to study or research in Northern Ireland must apply through the Fulbright Commission in the United Kingdom.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Tuition: The Commission will explore a fee waiver with host institutions once the applicant becomes a finalist. If a fee waiver is not offered, the grantee is responsible for any tuition costs.
Applicants conducting independent research are not normally liable for tuition from Irish institutions. If such fees are levied by an Irish institution, the Commission will explore a waiver once the applicant becomes a finalist.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The estimated monthly cost of living is €1750 to €2000.
Dependents
Dependents are not permitted to accompany applicants on grant.