Government of Ireland Research Ireland Empower Programme 2027

Research Ireland Empower Programme 2027 Abstract & Quick Facts

Scholarship Host: Ireland Government
Host Country:  Ireland 
Category: PhD Scholarships | Fellowships
Benefits: Research Grants and Funding
Eligibility: Higher institutions in Ireland
Deadline: November 6, 2026

Research Ireland Empower Programme Details

The Research Ireland Empower Programme introduces a recurring and flexible funding mechanism that allows eligible higher education institutions (HEIs) to implement their research and innovation strategies.

Under the programme, Research Ireland assesses applications submitted by eligible institutions rather than receiving individual applications directly from students and researchers.

A key focus is supporting PhD studentships and postdoctoral fellowships. Institutions receiving funding will have a degree of autonomy to allocate it according to their strategic research priorities.

The programme aims to develop research talent, improve institutional research capacity, and strengthen Ireland’s long-term research and innovation ecosystem.

Research Ireland Empower Programme 2027 Benefits

The programme is designed to deliver several benefits to Ireland’s research community.

1. Support for PhD Studentships

One of the programme’s major priorities is supporting doctoral research. Funding allocated to PhD studentships may create opportunities for eligible candidates to pursue doctoral studies through participating institutions.

The availability of specific studentships, their funding arrangements, and application requirements will depend on institutional decisions and subsequent recruitment announcements.

2. Postdoctoral Research Opportunities

The programme also prioritises postdoctoral fellowships, helping institutions develop research talent and strengthen their research capacity.

Prospective postdoctoral researchers should monitor eligible universities and research institutions for opportunities supported through the programme.

3. Research Training and Mentorship

Research Ireland identifies high-quality training, mentorship, and supportive research environments as important programme objectives.

These priorities are intended to help researchers develop their skills, pursue excellent research, collaborate effectively, and adopt responsible research practices.

4. Opportunities Across Academic Disciplines

The Empower Programme aims to develop research talent across all disciplines rather than concentrating exclusively on a narrow range of research fields.

The specific subjects, projects, and positions supported will depend on the priorities and funding decisions of participating institutions.

5. Stronger Research and Innovation Capacity

The programme supports higher education institutions in implementing their research strategies through investment in research talent, research environments, and institutional capability.

Its broader goal is to strengthen Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem and support its long-term development.

Ireland Research Empower Programme Requirements

Ireland Research Empower Programme eligibility depends on whether you are applying as an institution or seeking an individual research opportunity.

Institutional Eligibility

The 2026 Empower call is open to the following 18 eligible Irish higher education institutions:

1. Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
2. Dublin City University (DCU)
3. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS)
4. Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT)
5. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT)
6. Mary Immaculate College (MIC)
7. Maynooth University
8. Munster Technological University (MTU)
9. National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
10. RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
11. South East Technological University (SETU)
12. Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
13. Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS)
14. Trinity College Dublin
15. University College Cork (UCC)
16. University College Dublin (UCD)
17. University of Galway
18. University of Limerick (UL)

This is an invited call. Each eligible institution may submit one application through an authorised senior research representative.

Eligibility for Students and Researchers

Individual candidates cannot submit an application directly to Research Ireland under this institutional call.

However, prospective PhD students and postdoctoral researchers can monitor the institutions listed above for relevant studentships, fellowships, and recruitment opportunities.

Specific requirements may include academic qualifications, research experience, a suitable research proposal, and other conditions established by the recruiting institution. The exact requirements will depend on the individual opportunity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Can international students benefit from the Empower Programme?

The institutional call is open to the 18 eligible Irish higher education institutions. Individual eligibility, including whether international applicants can apply for a particular PhD studentship or postdoctoral fellowship, depends on the specific opportunity and the recruiting institution’s requirements.

• Can I apply directly to Research Ireland for an Empower scholarship?

No. The 2026 Empower call is an institutional funding competition. Individuals should look for relevant research opportunities advertised by eligible institutions.

• What is the deadline for the programme?

The institutional application deadline is November 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Irish time.

• What research fields are covered?

The programme aims to support research talent across all academic disciplines. The actual opportunities available will depend on the research priorities and recruitment plans of participating institutions.

• Does the programme guarantee a scholarship or job?

No. The programme provides a funding framework for institutions. Individual scholarships, fellowships, and employment opportunities depend on institutional funding decisions and recruitment processes.

How to Apply for Research Ireland Empower Programme Funding 2027

The step-by-step guide to apply for the Research Ireland Empower Programme is as follows;

For Eligible Higher Education Institutions

The institution must follow the official Empower call guidance and submit its application through the authorised representative.

The institutional application deadline is November 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Irish time.

Institutions should consult the official call documentation for submission requirements, funding arrangements, and assessment procedures.

For Prospective PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers

If you want to benefit from opportunities that may be supported through Empower, follow these steps:

1. Identify an eligible institution. Review the 18 institutions listed in this article and identify those offering research in your preferred field.
2. Visit the institution's official website. Check its postgraduate admissions, doctoral funding, research vacancies, and fellowship pages.
3. Contact the relevant department. Ask whether the institution expects to recruit PhD students or postdoctoral researchers through Empower-supported funding.
4. Review the specific opportunity. Confirm the academic qualifications, research requirements, funding package, and application deadline.
5. Apply through the institution. Follow the recruitment or admissions instructions published for the individual position.

Do not assume that registering interest or contacting Research Ireland constitutes an application for an individual scholarship.

Important Dates

• Institutional application deadline: November 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Irish time.
• Expected notifications: January 2027.
• Expected grant start date: March 2027.
• Programme duration listed by Research Ireland: 72 months.

These dates refer to the institutional funding call. They should not be interpreted as individual student application deadlines or the duration of an individual PhD scholarship.

Is the Research Ireland Empower Programme Fully Funded?

The programme prioritises support for PhD studentships and postdoctoral fellowships, but the funding available to an individual candidate will depend on the opportunities created by participating institutions.

The official programme overview does not establish one universal individual scholarship amount or guarantee that every successful institutional application will offer identical benefits.

Before applying for an individual position, confirm the stipend or salary, tuition-fee arrangements, research expenses, duration, and any other benefits directly with the recruiting institution.

Application Deadline: November 6, 2026

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