Ireland
1 Fulbright/University College Cork Master's in Creative Writing Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Discipline-Specific Awards
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
Grantee may pursue a taught Masters in Creative Writing at University College Cork which was established in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges at Cork, Galway and Belfast. Located on a beautiful, historic campus, University College Cork has grown from 115 students to over 20,000, from one building to dozens, from less than 20 staff to more than 1,600 today. The MA in Creative Writing at University College Cork encourages students to be curious about literature, to pursue creative excellence and to develop their writing in a university atmosphere. The course as a whole encourages and supports a full exploration of the creative self while also maintaining a strong vocational emphasis including professional placements. All of University College Cork’s courses are embedded in Cork’s dynamic creative milieu, rooted in expert practice and taught by highly accomplished professionals. A rich variety of modules are available, including Fiction, Poetry and Life Writing.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Commencing in 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 a degree in University College Cork 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 US 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 brings 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.
University College Cork will consider applications from graduates of all disciplines. Applicants are expected to have a cumulative GPA of 3.2. Applicants with relevant writing or arts experience (e.g. working in publishing, journalism or arts administration) are also invited to apply. All applicants will be asked to submit a piece of creative writing of 1000 words (any genre).
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
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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Letter not required at deadline. Applicants will need to apply for admission to the Masters in Creative Writing as per University College Cork’s admissions procedures. Applicants are expected to have proof of acceptance onto the Masters in Creative Writing programme if offered a Fulbright award. The Fulbright Commission can assist with / advise on this process but applicants should make initial enquiries with the Director of Creative Writing, Dr Eibhear Walshe, email: e.walshe@ucc.ie prior to contacting the Commission.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
GPA Calculator: https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/