National University of Ireland - NUI Travelling Doctoral Studentship

NUI Travelling Doctoral Studentship

You get up to 33,000 EUR per year for up to 4 years, so up to 132,000 EUR in total, for doctoral research with a strong international element. The money comes in two parts: a stipend (a regular living allowance) of 25,000 EUR per year, plus up to 8,000 EUR per year towards your fees against receipts. You are paid each quarter. If you already hold substantial funding from elsewhere, the National University of Ireland (NUI) may instead give you travel support of up to 4,000 EUR per year. In 2026, NUI awards four full studentships. One of them, the NUI-French Embassy in Ireland Travelling Doctoral Studentship, goes to a project connected to France: a research trip there, French studies, work with a French laboratory, or a doctorate hosted at a French university.

Who can apply

• Study phase: When you apply, you are in the first year of a doctorate at an NUI institution, or you have been admitted to one.
• Link to NUI: You graduated from an NUI member, affiliated or recognised college, or you are registered for a doctorate at an NUI institution.
• Prior degree: You hold at least an honours bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8), or a bachelor's (NFQ Level 7) plus a relevant master's (NFQ Level 9).
• Grades: You achieved at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 (2:1) or equivalent.
• Field of study: All disciplines are open, from arts, law, business and social sciences to engineering, computing, agriculture and medical sciences.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Employment: You are not a full-time permanent staff member of a higher education institution.
• Past applications: You have applied no more than twice before, and you have never held an NUI Travelling Doctoral Studentship or NUI E.J. Phelan Fellowship.

How to apply

Send your application by email to NUI Awards by Friday 6 March 2026, with the name of the studentship in the subject line. Subject specialists review the proposals, shortlisted candidates are called to interview, and the NUI Senate makes the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

NUI awards four full studentships in 2026, one of them reserved for a France-related project.

You can find more scholarships in our guide Scholarships in Ireland.