PhD Scholarships in Ireland 2026/27 – Open & Fully Funded Opportunities

Introduction

Ireland is becoming a leading destination for international PhD students due to its world-class research, English-speaking environment, and generous fully funded scholarship schemes. For the 2026/27 intake, several prestigious scholarships are already open or about to open, providing opportunities for talented students from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and other countries to pursue doctoral studies with full financial support.

In this article, we highlight the scholarships that are currently open and those that will open soon for the upcoming cycle.

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1. Ireland Fellows Programme 2026/27 (Fully Funded) – Open Now

The Ireland Fellows Programme is a prestigious fellowship funded by the Government of Ireland.

Key Benefits:

• Full tuition fee coverage

• Free accommodation and monthly stipend

• Return airfare

• Living allowance, health insurance, and research-related expenses

Who Can Apply?

• Students from eligible partner countries, including Pakistan

• Strong academic background and leadership potential

• Preference given to candidates committed to contributing to home-country development

Deadlines:

• Stage 1 Application Deadline: 25 July 2025

• Stage 2 Full Application Deadline: 17 October 2025

Eligible Fields:

Agriculture, Health, Education, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Human Rights, Development Studies, and more.

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2. Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme (GOIPG) 2026 – Opening Soon

This is one of the most competitive and comprehensive scholarships for PhD students in Ireland, funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC).

Benefits:

• Annual Stipend: €25,000

• Tuition Fee Contribution: €5,750 (plus an additional €4,000 top-up for non-EU students)

• Research Costs: €3,250 per year

• Total Value: Up to €34,000 per year

Timeline:

• Call Opens: 11 September 2025

• Application Deadline: 23 October 2025

• Supervisor Approval: 6 November 2025

• Research Office Endorsement: 13 November 2025

• Results: April 2026

• Fellowship Start: September 2026

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3. Irish Research Council – University Pathway Scholarships

Many universities also nominate students through the Irish Research Council pathway, aligned with the GOIPG framework.

• Opens: 1 September 2025

• Deadline: 7 September 2025 (for institutional nominations)

• Benefits: Same as GOIPG

This requires early supervisor engagement, so you should contact potential PhD supervisors in mid-2025.

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4. UCD Global Excellence Scholarships 2026/27 – Opening Autumn 2025

The University College Dublin (UCD) Global Excellence Scholarships are highly competitive awards for outstanding international students.

Key Points:

• Covers 50% to 100% of tuition fees

• Available for postgraduate taught and research degrees

• Applicants must first secure admission to UCD before applying

Status:

• The 2025/26 cycle is closed

• Next cycle will open in Autumn 2025 for 2026/27 applicants

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Other University & External Funding Options

Alongside national-level scholarships, Irish universities also offer their own doctoral studentships and fee waivers. Examples include:

• University of Galway PhD Fee Waiver + China CSC Co-Funding

• Trinity College Dublin Fully Funded Doctoral Studentships

• UCC Doctoral Research Scholarships

• External support: Fulbright, Wellcome Trust, Mitchell Scholarships

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Summary Table of Scholarships

Scholarship / Programme	Status (2026/27)	Benefits	Key Dates
Ireland Fellows Programme	Open Now	Full tuition, stipend, accommodation, airfare, expenses	Stage 1: 25 Jul 2025; Stage 2: 17 Oct 2025
GOIPG (Government of Ireland Scholarship)	Opens Soon	€25k stipend + fees + research costs (€34k/yr)	Opens 11 Sep 2025; Deadline 23 Oct 2025
Irish Research Council Pathway	Opens Soon	Same as GOIPG	Opens 1 Sep 2025; Deadline 7 Sep 2025
UCD Global Excellence Scholarships	Opens Soon	50% – 100% tuition waiver	Opens Autumn 2025
University-Level Awards	Rolling/Upcoming	Tuition waivers, stipends, studentships	Varies by university

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Conclusion

For the Ireland PhD 2026/27 intake, international students have excellent opportunities:

• The Ireland Fellows Programme is open now—apply as early as possible.

• The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (GOIPG) opens in September 2025, so preparation should start now.

• University scholarships like UCD Global Excellence will open in Autumn 2025.

By preparing early, connecting with supervisors, and applying strategically, you can maximize your chances of securing a fully funded PhD in Ireland.

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Professional Guidance with MP CONSULTANT

I provide tailored support for international students applying to Ireland, including:

• Research Proposal Writing & Editing

• CV/Resume & Motivation Letter Preparation

• Scholarship Application Support

• Supervisor Contact Strategy

For Assistance:
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