Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland

For international students, Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland can significantly reduce the cost of a masters degree by covering tuition and providing financial support for living expenses and other study-related costs. Two important programmes are the Ireland Fellows Programme and the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES). 

The Ireland Fellows Programme offers comprehensive support to eligible students from specific partner countries, including tuition, travel, accommodation, and living expenses, while GOI-IES provides a full fee waiver for the scholarship year and a €10,000 (approximately INR 11.09 lakh) stipend.

In this article, you will learn about the top Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in Ireland, their eligibility requirements, funding benefits, application process, required documents, deadlines, and other funding options available to international students.

Plan smarter and study in Ireland with structured support from upGrad Abroad. 

What Do Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland Cover?

A fully funded scholarship can take care of several major costs involved in studying in Ireland, but the support you receive depends on the scholarship. Some awards cover tuition fees and provide money for living expenses, while research scholarships may also include funding for research-related costs. 

Others may cover only your tuition fees. So, before applying, it is important to look at the complete funding package rather than assuming that every scholarship covers all expenses.

The main types of financial support are as follows:

Funding Component	What It Can Cover	Example Scholarship
Tuition Fees	Full or partial tuition fees for the approved study period	GOI-IES, UCD Global Excellence
Living Expenses	A stipend or allowance to help with everyday costs	GOI-IES, Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
Research Costs	Eligible expenses such as research materials, conferences or project costs	Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
Travel Expenses	Travel to and from Ireland, where included	Ireland Fellows Programme
Accommodation	Accommodation or financial support towards housing	Ireland Fellows Programme and selected awards
Health Insurance	Health insurance during the study period	Ireland Fellows Programme
Other Study Costs	Certain additional expenses, depending on the scholarship	Programme-specific

For Instance, the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) provides a €10,000 (approximately INR 11.09 lakh) stipend and a full tuition fee waiver for one scholarship year. The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship can provide up to €34,000 (approximately INR 37.71 lakh) annually through its stipend, fee contribution and eligible research costs. 

One thing to keep in mind: a 100% tuition scholarship is not necessarily a fully funded scholarship. If living expenses are not included, students may still need to budget for accommodation, food, transport, insurance and other day-to-day costs.

Also check: Study in Ireland Cost (2026)

Top Government-Funded Scholarships in Ireland

Government-funded programmes are among the most important options for international students. However, each one has a different target group, study level, and application process.

1. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is one of the main scholarship options for international students planning postgraduate study in Ireland. It is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and supports eligible students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK.

The scholarship is available for eligible Masters, postgraduate diploma and PhD programmes at NFQ Levels 9 and 10. For the latest published cycle, 60 scholarships were offered, with each recipient receiving a €10,000 stipend (approximately INR 11.09 lakh) for one year. 

Key details of GOI-IES are as follows:

Criteria	Details
Study Level	NFQ Level 9 or 10
Study Type	Eligible Masters, postgraduate diploma or PhD programmes
Scholarships Available	60 awards annually
Stipend	€10,000 (Approx. INR 11.09 lakh)
Tuition Support	Full fee waiver for one scholarship year
Duration	1 year
Nationality	Applicants domiciled outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and UK
Admission Requirement	Conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish higher education institution
2027 Deadline	Not officially announced; estimated around March 2027

Applicants need a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish higher education institution before submitting the scholarship application. 

The 2026 application window opened on 29 January and closed on 12 March 2026. Based on this recent cycle, students targeting 2027 can tentatively plan for an application window around January to March 2027, but the final deadline should be confirmed when the HEA releases the new call. 

2. Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is designed for students pursuing a research Masters or PhD in Ireland. It is funded through Research Ireland and accepts research proposals across a wide range of disciplines, making it particularly relevant for students planning an academic or research-focused career. The scholarship can provide funding of up to €34,000 per year (approximately INR 37.71 lakh). 

The funding structure is as follows:

Funding Component	Annual Amount	Approx. INR Value
Stipend	€25,000	INR 27.73 lakh
Standard fee contribution	Up to €5,750	Up to INR 6.38 lakh
Direct research costs	€3,250	INR 3.60 lakh
Additional non-EU fee contribution	Up to €4,000	Up to INR 4.44 lakh
Maximum standard award value	Up to €34,000	Up to INR 37.71 lakh

The 2027 application deadline has not yet been officially announced. The latest published cycle opened on 11 September 2025 and closed on 23 October 2025. 

Based on this pattern, students planning to start in September 2027 should begin preparing by mid-2026 and expect the next application period to fall around September to October 2026. 

3. Other Government and Research Funding Opportunities

Not every funding option in Ireland comes in the form of a single scholarship that students can apply for directly. This is particularly true for research-based Masters and PhD programmes, where funding may be linked to a university department, research project, supervisor, or specific area of study.

Depending on the opportunity, students may receive support towards tuition fees, a living stipend, or research-related expenses. 

Other funding routes students can explore are as follows:

Funding Route	What It May Cover	Best Suited For
Research Studentships	Tuition fees and, in some cases, a living stipend	PhD and research Masters students
Funded PhD Projects	Tuition, stipend and eligible research costs, depending on the project	Students with a specific research interest
Research Ireland Funding	Funding varies depending on the programme and applicant category	Research-focused postgraduate students
University and Departmental Research Awards	Fee support, stipends or project-specific funding	Students applying to a particular university or research group
International Research Fellowships	Funding varies by programme and eligibility	Eligible doctoral and research applicants

Note: The Ireland Fellows Programme provides comprehensive funding for eligible applicants from selected partner countries. However, India is not included in the currently published 2027–28 Asia programme, so Indian students should not consider it an available scholarship option unless future eligibility rules change.

University-Specific Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland

Irish universities also offer their own scholarships and research awards. However, not every university scholarship is fully funded. Some provide only a tuition reduction, while research awards may combine fee coverage with an annual stipend.

Some notable university-level funding routes are as follows:

University	Scholarship / Funding Route	Funding
Trinity College Dublin	Trinity Research Doctorate Awards	€25,000/year (Approximate INR 27.73 lakh) + fee coverage for eligible four-year PhD awards
Trinity College Dublin	Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship	€2,000–€5,000 (Approximate INR 2.22–5.55 lakh) tuition reduction
University College Dublin	Global Excellence Scholarship	50% or 100% tuition fee scholarship
University College Cork	GOI-IES and other university funding	Funding depends on the specific award and programme
University of Galway	Research and university-level funding	Varies by school, research area and award

Must check: Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Fully Funded Masters Scholarships in Ireland

Most major international funding opportunities at Masters in Ireland focus on one-year taught programmes or research-based postgraduate degrees. GOI-IES is particularly relevant to international students because it provides a €10,000 (Approximate. INR 11.09 lakh) stipend and full fee waiver for one scholarship year. 

Popular areas of study and relevant funding routes are as follows:

Study Area	Examples of Courses	Funding Options to Explore
Technology	Data Science, AI, Cybersecurity	GOI-IES, university scholarships
Science & Engineering	Biotechnology, Engineering, Renewable Energy	GOI-IES, research funding
Business & Policy	Business, Management, Public Policy	GOI-IES, university awards
Research	Subject-specific research Masters	Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

International graduates completing eligible Level 9 programmes may also qualify for up to 24 months of Stamp 1G permission under Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme, subject to the immigration conditions.

Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Ireland 

Students who study PhD in Ireland have access to several research-focused funding routes. The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is one of the most significant, supporting research Masters and doctoral candidates across disciplines. Awards can last from one to four years, depending on the programme. 

The scholarship provides up to €34,000 (Approximate. INR 37.71 lakh) per year, including the stipend, fee contribution, and eligible direct research costs. 

The main funding components for Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Ireland for International Students are as follows:

Funding Type	Coverage	Approximate. Value
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship	Annual stipend	€25,000 / INR 27.73 lakh
Research fee contribution	Eligible fees	Up to €5,750 / INR 6.38 lakh
Direct research costs	Eligible research expenses	€3,250 / INR 3.60 lakh
Trinity Research Doctorate Award	Stipend + eligible fees	€25,000/year / INR 27.73 lakh + fee support

For research funding, the quality of your proposal matters alongside your academic record. It is therefore sensible to identify potential supervisors and discuss your research direction well before the scholarship deadline.

Must Read: Best Ways to Study in Ireland for Free in 2026 

Application Deadlines for Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland

Most major scholarship providers have not yet announced their official deadlines for the 2027 intake. Since scholarship applications can open several months before the academic year begins, it is worth preparing your university application, academic documents, references, and other required materials early. 

The estimated application timelines for Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland are as follows:

Scholarship	Estimated Application Period	Estimated Deadline / Timeline for 2027 Intake
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)	January–March 2027	Around mid-March 2027
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship	September–October 2026	Around late October 2026
Ireland Fellows Programme	Varies by country and programme	Country-specific deadlines apply
Trinity Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship	April–July 2027	Deadline may vary by applicant region
UCD Global Excellence Scholarship	January–March 2027	Estimated around February 2027 for applicants from South Asia, including India

The estimated dates above are intended to help students plan ahead rather than serve as confirmed deadlines. Once the 2027 scholarship calls are announced, applicants should check the relevant official scholarship page and confirm the exact closing date, eligibility requirements, and application process before submitting their application.

Eligibility for Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland

There is no universal eligibility checklist for every scholarship. Requirements depend on the funding body, study level, programme, and nationality.

The main eligibility factors for Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland for International Students are as follows:

Eligibility Factor	Typical Requirement	Relevant For
Academic Record	Strong academic performance and relevant previous qualification	Most competitive awards
University Offer	Conditional or final offer from an eligible institution	GOI-IES and selected university awards
Research Potential	Research proposal and suitable supervisor	PhD and research Masters funding
English Proficiency	Meet the university's programme-specific language requirement	International applicants
Nationality	Must meet the scholarship's country eligibility rules	Government and country-specific awards
Motivation & Profile	Clear academic goals and relevant achievements	Merit-based scholarships

Note: GOI-IES applicants must be domiciled outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the UK and hold a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish higher education institution. The selection process also considers academic achievement, communication skills, extracurricular participation, and the applicant's reasons for choosing Ireland. 

Documents Required for Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland

Most applications require a core set of academic and personal documents. Research scholarships usually ask for additional material because the selection committee needs to assess the proposed research.

The commonly required documents are as follows:

Document	Purpose	Usually Required For
Academic transcripts	Demonstrates previous academic performance	Most scholarships
Degree Certificate	Confirms your completed qualification	Masters and PhD applications
CV / Resume	Summarises academic, professional and extracurricular experience	Most competitive awards
Motivation Statement	Explains your goals and reasons for applying	Merit-based scholarships
Research Proposal	Outlines the proposed research	Research Masters and PhD funding
Letters of recommendation	Provides an academic or professional assessment	Selected scholarships
English Language Score	Shows language proficiency where required	Relevant programmes
University Offer Letter	Confirms admission	GOI-IES and selected awards
Passport	Confirms identity and nationality	International applicants

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland

Scholarship applications are easier to manage when you start with the university application rather than waiting for the scholarship deadline. Some awards require an offer before you apply, while research scholarships may require additional coordination with a supervisor.

The application process is generally as follows:

1. Shortlist Eligible Programmes: Start by choosing universities and programmes that match your academic background and career plans. Then check whether those programmes are eligible for your preferred scholarship.

2. Check Scholarship Requirements: Read the current scholarship call carefully. Pay attention to nationality, academic requirements, admission status, references, research requirements, and deadlines.

3. Apply for University Admission: Submit your university application early where an offer is required. GOI-IES applicants, for example, need a conditional or final offer before submitting the scholarship application. 

4. Prepare Your Scholarship Documents: Work on your CV, motivation statement, references, transcripts, and research proposal well in advance. Give your referees enough time to provide strong recommendations.

5. Submit the Scholarship Application: Complete the application through the official scholarship portal. Check every section before submitting and make sure all required documents and references have been provided.

6. Track the Selection Process: Keep your application details and email notifications accessible after submission. Some awards involve institutional checks or additional selection stages before the final decision.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship in Ireland

A good scholarship application usually starts well before the deadline. Rather than sending the same statement to every provider, focus on showing why your academic background and future plans fit the particular scholarship.

The following steps can strengthen your application:

• Apply for admission early: If an offer letter is required, leave enough time between your university application and scholarship deadline.
• Keep your motivation statement focused: Explain what you want to study, why you chose Ireland, and what you plan to do with the qualification.
• Choose suitable referees: Ask people who know your academic or professional work well enough to provide specific examples.
• Start research proposals early: PhD applicants should give themselves time to refine the research question and discuss it with a potential supervisor.
• Check the actual funding: A scholarship may cover tuition but not living expenses, or provide a stipend without covering the entire fee difference.
• Track every deadline: Keep university admission, scholarship, reference, and document deadlines in one place.

Conclusion

Fully funded scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of studying in Ireland, but the level of support differs from one programme to another. GOI-IES is a key option for eligible international Masters and PhD students, while the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is particularly relevant to research Masters and PhD applicants. The Ireland Fellows Programme provides comprehensive funding for eligible candidates from specific partner countries. 

For Indian students, the first step is to check nationality and programme eligibility before preparing an application. It is equally important to compare tuition coverage, stipend amounts, research support, and any expenses that remain the student's responsibility.

Starting early gives you time to secure admission, prepare documents, arrange references, and submit a stronger application. With the right shortlist and a clear understanding of the funding terms, you can identify Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland that fit your study plans and budget.

If you are still unsure about your options, you can book a free counseling session with upGrad and seek professional guidance! We’d be happy to help you figure this out.