The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) are run by Ireland’s Higher Education Authority (HEA) for students from outside Europe, for one year of Master’s or PhD study in Ireland.
This guide is based on the official 2026 call document and FAQs published by the HEA.
What does it cover?
- €10,000 for one year of full-time study at NFQ level 9 or 10 (Master’s, postgraduate diploma, PhD).
- A full tuition fee waiver for the scholarship year, granted by the host institution.
How it is paid: the HEA pays the host institution in two €5,000 instalments, one per semester; the institution pays you in two instalments or smaller monthly payments. In the 2026 call the first payment was expected towards the end of October 2026.
Not covered: travel and study materials, according to the official FAQs.
Number of awards: about 60 per year, with no more than 5 per institution. The top 12 ranked applications are funded automatically.
Who can apply?
- Your domicile of origin is outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK.
- You hold a conditional or final offer for a full-time, in-person place at an eligible Irish institution — a taught Master’s, a level-9 postgraduate diploma or a research programme, lasting at least one year.
- You have not held a GOI-IES scholarship before.
- Russian, Belarusian and UK citizens are not eligible.
Useful points from the FAQs:
- There is no age limit.
- Refugees and asylum seekers are eligible on the same terms.
- The scholarship itself does not require an English certificate, although the institution may for admission; the application must be completed in English.
- Online programmes are not eligible; blended programmes only if you attend all in-person classes and live in Ireland for the whole scholarship.
- There is no requirement to return to your home country afterwards.
Step 1: get an offer first
This is the key planning point: you cannot apply without an offer, and it must be for the same academic year.
- Apply to eligible Irish programmes early, in autumn or early winter.
- You may apply with an offer you have not yet accepted or paid a deposit for, but declining it or missing the institution’s deadline may cost you the place.
- A deposit paid towards fees should be refunded if your GOI-IES application succeeds.
One application only: each candidate submits one application with one offer; creating several accounts leads to disqualification.
Step 2: understand the scoring
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| Academic qualifications, achievements and work experience | 40 |
| Personal statement | 45 |
| Two references | 15 |
The minimum threshold is 60 marks. Institutions first shortlist applications according to their priorities (country of origin, study cycle, field, capacity), then an independent panel assesses them.
Published selection criteria: outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills, extracurricular involvement (humanitarian work, politics, arts, sport) and a strong rationale for studying in Ireland linked to your long-term goals.
Step 3: the personal statement (45 marks)
The personal statement carries the most weight and covers three areas:
- How the scholarship benefits you and serves your academic and career goals.
- Your active involvement in Irish society and how you will promote the programme.
- Your long-term interest in Ireland and how you will strengthen links after graduating.
The call sets no word limit: write clearly, with concrete examples from your experience rather than general statements.
Step 4: the references (15 marks)
- Two references, which you upload yourself on the portal.
- 500–700 words each according to the referee guide, dated within one year before the deadline.
- Specific to GOI-IES, not your admission references.
- In English, or with a certified translation.
- Handwritten or electronic signatures are accepted; a typed name is not.
Dates (2026 call, for reference)
- Last day for questions: 5 March 2026, via [email protected].
- Deadline: 12 March 2026, 5 pm Irish time.
- Results: early June 2026.
- Start of studies: September or October 2026.
- Official awards event: spring 2027 (attendance required).
The 2027 call has not been announced yet. Since an offer is required, the right plan is to apply to Irish institutions in the autumn so you hold an offer before March.
Important rules after applying
- Applications cannot be edited or deleted once submitted.
- No individual feedback is given.
- Applications are accepted only through the online portal, not by email, post or phone.
- The scholarship cannot be transferred to another course or institution, except in limited cases approved by the HEA and the institution.
- You must study full-time, in person, and live in Ireland for the whole scholarship.
Don’t confuse it with GOIPG
The GOIPG postgraduate scholarship is a different programme run by Research Ireland, with different rules and dates. You will find both under “Related opportunities” below.
Practical tips
- Secure your admission first, then work on the statement.
- Choose referees who know you well and ask early for GOI-IES-specific letters.
- Write about Ireland specifically: why Ireland and not elsewhere.
- Submit a few days early: the HEA itself advises this to avoid technical problems.