From January 29, International Students Can Apply for Ireland’s €10,000 Stipend + Full Fee Scholarship

If you happen to speak to our counsellors, you will often hear about this scholarship well before applications officially open. That is not by chance.

Our experience tells us how exceptionally competitive the GOI-IES is — and how much preparation it truly requires. Having guided students through Ireland’s education system for over 17 years, we know that strong applications are rarely built at the last minute.

The opportunity we refer to is the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) — a Government-funded scholarship managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), aimed at high-calibre international students.

Stipend

€10,000

for one academic year

Tuition

100% waived

tuition + registration waived

Awards

60

global scholarships (2026/27)

The scholarship covers one year of full-time, in-person study at NFQ Level 9 or 10 (Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, or PhD). It is not automatically extendable beyond one academic year (some universities may extend the fee waiver for 3-semester courses, but the stipend remains €10,000).

Applications open: January 29, 2026
Deadline: March 12, 2026 (5pm Irish time)
Results expected: Early June 2026
Course start: September / October 2026

Important for Indian students: The €10,000 stipend is a contribution toward living costs, and it is unlikely to cover all expenses. You should plan additional funds—especially for accommodation and initial settling costs. Stipends are typically paid in instalments via the university, so having buffer money for the first few weeks is crucial.

What makes GOI-IES truly different is its selection logic: it is not a “good marks = scholarship” scheme. A large portion of the score comes from your personal statement and references—and how convincingly you show long-term value for Ireland and your home country.

What is the GOI-IES Scholarship?

GOI-IES supports outstanding international students to study in Ireland and build long-term academic and professional ties with the country. It is designed for full-time, in-person study at NFQ Level 9 or 10 (Master’s / PG Diploma / PhD).

Government-backed

A Government-funded scholarship managed by the HEA and delivered through Irish higher education institutions.

One academic year

Funding is for one year of full-time, in-person study. Some HEIs may extend the fee waiver for longer courses.

Merit-led selection

Assessed by an independent panel. Your academic profile matters, but the personal statement and references carry major weight.

How your application is scored (this is where most students lose marks)

You are scored out of 100:

40 marks — Academic qualifications, achievements, and work experience
45 marks — Personal statement (impact to you, Ireland, your institution, and your home country)
15 marks — Two references (uploaded through the application portal)

Tip: Avoid generic statements. Specific, evidence-based writing scores higher.

Before you apply — confirm the basics (Eligibility)

Use this checklist to confirm if you can apply.

✔ You are a non-EU/EEA applicant, that means you hold an Indian Passport Applicants from India are eligible (domiciliary of origin must be outside EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the UK).
✔ You already have an offer letter from Irish Institution It is advisable that you have an offer (Conditional or Unconditional) and you have accepted the same offer for Sep 2026 intake academic year.
✔ Your course is eligible Only full-time, in-person programme (Master’s / PG Diploma / research Master’s / PhD) for at least one year are eligible. UG courses are not eligible.
✔ You have not received GOI-IES before If you have been previously awarded GOI-IES scholarship, you cannot apply again.
✔ You will submit only one application Only one eligible application per candidate is allowed for the cycle.

References must be strong Two references are required. They must be recent and specific.

Don’t rely only on the stipend Plan extra funds for living costs and accommodation deposits.

Write it yourself Keep your writing original and personal.

Indicative Application Form (Preview)

This is a preview/sample of the portal questions so you can prepare your content in advance. The actual application must be submitted via the GOI-IES portal after the call opens.

Personal Statement (3 answers) Each answer is max 500 words. Draft these offline and then paste into the portal.

Academic / Achievements / Projects Max 3 entries per section. Keep them concise and evidence-based.

Use this as your offline worksheet before you start the portal application.

GOI-IES FAQs (Most important questions)

Do I need an offer letter before applying?

Yes — you should have a valid offer from an eligible Irish institution before applying.

Does GOI-IES cover all living costs?

No. The €10,000 stipend is a contribution only. Plan additional funds.

Can I edit my application after I submit?

No. Treat the final submission as locked. Review carefully before submitting.

Is undergraduate or online study eligible?

No. It is for eligible full-time, in-person study at NFQ Level 9 or 10.

How many applications can I submit?

Only one eligible application per candidate is allowed.

What matters most for selection?

Personal statement + references carry major weight. Be specific and evidence-based.

How we can help

GOI-IES is competitive. If you want a structured approach, our team can help you prepare and avoid common mistakes.

Eligibility + offer check

Confirm course eligibility, offer type, and timeline so you don’t waste effort on an ineligible submission.

Personal statement planning

We help you outline your 3 answers with evidence-led points (impact to you, Ireland, HEI, and home country).

Reference strategy

We guide you on selecting referees and what strong references should focus on (specific, recent, relevant).

Final submission readiness

Checklist review: documents, formatting, and final proofing before you submit (no edits after submission).

Tap to message our counsellor directly.

How to apply (Step-by-step)

The GOI-IES application is submitted through the official online portal. The most important point: you must already have an Irish offer letter before you apply.

Create an account and complete the online application Use the official GOI-IES portal.
Submit early (don’t wait for the deadline) Late submissions are not accepted. Submit early to avoid last-day technical issues.

From January 29, International Students Can Apply for Ireland’s €10,000 Stipend + Full Fee Scholarship