Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - 1916 Bursary Fund

1916 Bursary Fund

You get a yearly bursary for the whole length of your course, in one of two amounts: 5,000 EUR per year (Tier 1) or 2,000 EUR per year (Tier 2). For 2026/27 there are 400 Tier 1 places and 200 Tier 2 places for new first-year students. The money goes straight into your Irish bank account, with Tier 1 paid in instalments. It continues each year you stay in your undergraduate programme. If you later move into a postgraduate course and already received the bursary, you can keep it. The fund is paid for by the Irish government and the European Union. It is run through SUSI, Ireland's student grant body, together with the participating colleges. It helps students from backgrounds that are under-represented in higher education finish their degree.

Who can apply

• Study year: You are starting an undergraduate course for the first time in 2026/27. Mature students returning after a break of at least 3 years can also apply. Students already in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year cannot apply.
• Course level: Your course is full-time or part-time, lasts at least 2 years, and leads to a Level 6 qualification (Higher Certificate) or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.
• College: You study at one of the 23 participating Irish higher education institutions, such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork, University of Limerick and the technological universities.
• Residence: You have lived in the Republic of Ireland for at least 3 of the 5 years before your course starts. People in Direct Provision without final residency status cannot apply.
• Income: Your household income (from 2025) is below the SUSI Special Rate threshold: under 28,600 EUR with fewer than 4 dependent children, under 31,350 EUR with 4 to 7 children, or under 33,980 EUR with 8 or more.
• Priority group: You belong to at least one under-represented group, for example from a disadvantaged area, a mature student, a student with a disability, a member of the Traveller or Roma community, a lone parent, a carer, a migrant or refugee legally resident in Ireland, or someone who has experienced homelessness or state care.

How to apply

You apply online through the 1916 Bursary portal; no one needs to nominate you. Applications for 2026/27 open at 9:00 on 3 September 2026 and close at 17:00 on 9 October 2026. There is no interview. Your college's Access Office decides, giving places to the eligible applicants with the greatest need.