Who this is for: This scholarship is for students and recent graduates of universities and colleges on the island of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). It isn’t open to students in Africa. But if you’re an African student studying, or who recently studied, at an Irish university, you may be eligible.
Dreaming of a master’s degree at a top university in the US, Canada, the UK or Europe? The Ireland Funds is accepting applications for the George Moore Scholars Programme, which gives high-value scholarships to talented students from across the island of Ireland. Since it began, the programme has supported 322 scholars with more than €16 million in awards, including students at Harvard, UC Berkeley, Notre Dame and Michigan. Applications close on 3 November 2026 at 5pm.
Scholarship at a Glance
- Funder: The Ireland Funds
- Level: Master’s degrees of up to two years
- Where you study: The US, Canada, the UK or Europe (not on the island of Ireland)
- Fields: All academic disciplines
- Value: High-value scholarships (the amount isn’t published and depends on your budget)
- For: Students and recent graduates of higher education institutions on the island of Ireland
- Application deadline: 3 November 2026, 5pm Irish time
- References deadline: 13 November 2026
About the George Moore Scholars Programme
The programme is named after George Moore, a shoemaker’s son from County Louth who studied at University College Dublin and then in the United States. He went on to help found the data analytics industry. Believing in the power of studying abroad, he set up the programme to give talented students the same chance.
Scholars are expected to be “trailblazers” or “boundary breakers”: people likely to make a significant positive impact on society, the economy or the environment, often by working across disciplines on global challenges.
Benefits
- A high-value scholarship for a master’s of up to two years
- Freedom to choose almost any strong university in the US, Canada, the UK or Europe
- Support in any field, from engineering and public health to music and human rights
- A network of more than 300 George Moore Scholars
Your application includes a high-level estimated budget, so funding is tailored to your course and costs.
Eligibility
- You’re a student or recent graduate of a higher education institution on the island of Ireland, in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
- Also eligible: students who did at least 70% of primary and secondary school in Northern Ireland but completed their undergraduate degree in Great Britain.
- Not eligible: students who went to school in the Republic of Ireland but did their undergraduate degree outside the island of Ireland.
- You plan to study a master’s degree of up to two years in the US, Canada, the UK or Europe.
- For European universities, the institution should normally be a public university.
For African students in Ireland: eligibility is based on where you studied, and the official rules don’t mention nationality. Past scholars have included students with African heritage. If you’re unsure about your situation, email the programme before applying.
What Assessors Look For
- Strong academic achievement
- Activities (paid, voluntary or community) that have shaped you
- Intellectual curiosity focused on a specific global challenge
- Willingness to take appropriate risks in your educational goals
- Originality and ambition
- Willingness to cross disciplinary boundaries
Required Documents
- The online application form, including your course, your study objective, why you’d benefit and an estimated budget
- A copy of your passport
- Your CV
- Your most recent academic transcripts for all years completed
- A portfolio of up to 20 pages, required for visual artists and optional for other creative artists
- Two referees, who submit their statements by 13 November
Key Dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Online information sessions | 28 October and 2 November 2026, 1pm |
| Application deadline | 3 November 2026, 5pm |
| References deadline | 13 November 2026 |
| Assessment and first outcomes | January–February 2027 |
| Interviews | 1–12 March 2027 |
| Final outcomes | By 31 March 2027 |
Tips for a Strong Application
- Write for a non-specialist. Panels include non-academics, so explain your goals and any technical terms clearly.
- Be personal, not perfect. The programme says a unique application in your own voice is better than one written with AI tools.
- Choose the right department. The excellence of the department matters more than the university’s overall ranking.
- Check your referees first. You’re allowed only two, and they must be available to submit by 13 November.
- Attend an information session on 28 October or 2 November, or watch the recording of the 21 October session.
How to Apply
- Read the eligibility rules, FAQs and tips on the George Moore Scholars website.
- Prepare your documents and estimated budget.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit by 5pm on 3 November 2026, and make sure your referees submit by 13 November.
For questions, email [email protected].
Apply for the George Moore Scholars Programme
