Fulbright Scholar Award

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Ireland

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25161-IE
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Exactly
1
Award Start Period
August 2026 - February 2027
Award Length
6 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Astronomy
Physics
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

Conduct research at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) within an appropriate area of specialization. Scholar would be expected to participate in or attend most school activities during this period (e.g. seminars, conferences etc.), collaborate with other researchers at DIAS, and occasionally give lectures/seminars in DIAS/local universities.

Locations
Location Selection: Award must be undertaken at one of the following institutions
Award Length and Period

6 months

 

Areas of Interest

Preferred areas of specialization:

  1. Star and planet formation
  2. Solar physics and space weather
  3. Planetary magnetospheres
  4. Low frequency radio astronomy (including LOFAR)
  5. Photo-ionisation regions and wind bubbles around massive stars
  6. Microwave kinetic induction detectors for astronomical purposes
Special Features

The School of Cosmic Physics runs the historic Dunsink Observatory (where William Rowan Hamilton worked) and fellows may avail of accommodation in the Observatory.

The Commission organizes a comprehensive orientation for U.S. Grantees in Fall and Spring. 

 

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is required.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Competitive applications will demonstrate clear alignment with host strategy, goals or new areas of mutual interest. Typically a letter of invitation will express this adequately.

For applicant queries for the institution, please contact: Dr Sophie Murray, Experimental Officer,  sophie.murray@dias.ie

For letter of invitation please contact:

Professor Peter T Gallagher

Astronomy & Astrophysics Section

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

Phone: +353 (0)1 614 0100 

Email: peter.gallagher@dias.ie

Twitter: twitter.com/petertgallagher
Website: dias.ie/astrophysics | dias.ie/dunsink | lofar.ie

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient

You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.

Award Allowances

Maximum €3,800 per month, (note that the stipend will be paid in euros and the approximate USD amount reflects the current exchange rate)

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
No

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Ireland

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

The Fulbright Commission in Ireland seeks and encourages the involvement of people from diverse backgrounds in all its grants, and is particularly welcoming of applicants from under-represented institutions and ethnicities. Fulbright Alumni cite the following bonuses in coming to Ireland: English-speaking; very welcoming; family-friendly; safe; intellectually challenging in a good way; culturally rich and diverse; and accessible. Please see the Commission’s Coming to Ireland page and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page for more information and resources.

Ireland is a friendly, engaging and vibrant country with centuries of U.S. interaction as part of its DNA. With a highly educated workforce, competitive educational system and millennia of culture, it is a popular choice for U.S. Scholar and Student applicants. The Irish Commission is particularly welcoming of applicants from under-represented institutions, ethnicities, etc. See more here and at I am Fulbright.

Higher education in Ireland is provided by 13 universities, 12 Technological Universities, 2 Institutes of Technology, Colleges of Further Education and a number of specialist colleges in art, law, music, public administration and theology. There are also a significant number of well-funded research centres see here and culture & heritage host options.

Most Irish colleges operate on a two-semester academic year: September to December and January to May. A small number of colleges and departments retain three trimesters: October to December, January to March and April to June. Further information on higher education in Ireland can be found here.

Most higher education institutions are supported by the Irish government; for example, universities and institutes of technology receive more than 90 percent of their income from the state. The Irish government has invested 2.5 billion euro establishing advanced centers of research, and world-class research facilities and programs that are an attractive destination for international exchange visitors.

The Commission annually offers Irish institutions an opportunity to contribute to the Fulbright Program through a cost-sharing contribution to the Commission's award programs; these arrangements allow the Commission to increase the number of awards available and to maximize institutional involvement in the Program.

In each academic year, the Commission partners with Irish institutions who have agreed, in advance, to cost-share "Sponsored" awards for U.S. Scholars. In addition to the “All Disciplines” awards supported by the Commission, U.S. Scholar proposals within this category will also be considered for cost-sharing by Irish host institutions. 

Please contact the Fulbright Commission in Ireland via email at awards@fulbright.ie.

https://youtu.be/xoE3vxTTKm0 - Country Overview 

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.