11 HEIs receive share of €1.5m Government Scholarships Programme

11 Irish higher education institutions will be able to offer a combined total of 60 scholarships worth in the region of €1.5m to high calibre international students from outside of Europe to study or conduct research in Ireland under the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships Programme 2017.  The scholarships incorporate a €10,000 stipend to each student as well as a full fee waiver for one year study at Bachelor, Master or PhD levels.

The Government initiative sees an increase from 22 scholarships as in previous years to 60 awards – a commitment that was made in the International Strategy launched in September 2016.

The scholarship offer is a crucial element in  Ireland’s international education strategy and thanks to this funding Irish HEIs will be able to strengthen and build sound education and research partnerships with at least 14 individual countries.

The programme is managed by the Higher Education Authority – Dr. Graham Love, HEA Chief Executive commented “The Government of Ireland scholarships are prestige awards for both the institutions and the student beneficiaries.  In partnership with the sector, the HEA will shortly explore opportunities of enhancing not only the GOI Scheme but our entire scholarship offering in this critical area with a view to the introduction of a new system for 2018.”

The purpose of the Scholarships Programme is to attract high calibre students and to promote Ireland as an attractive destination for study and research.  The scholarships are made available in the first instance to the successful Irish HEI who are responsible the selection of the students.  As part of the competitive process, the applicant HEI specifies the target countries from where they wish to source the international students.