Number of recipients
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.
Conduct research at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) within an appropriate area of specialization. The awardee will be expected to undertake a research project in collaboration with researchers in the DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics Section. The Section has active research groups in planetary science, solar physics, space weather, exoplanets, star and planet formation, and the interstellar medium. Accommodation will be provided at the Dunsink Observatory in the suburbs of Dublin.
Dunsink Observatory was founded in 1785 and has been a centre for research in astronomy since then. It was home to Sir William Rowan Hamilton in the mid-19th century and now hosts researchers from the DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics Section. Further details the Section can be found at www.dias.ie/astrophysics.
6-12 months
Preferred areas of specialization:
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).
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: Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics Section, peter.gallagher@dias.ie
For letter of invitation please contact:
Mr. Simon Nugent
Email: astrosecretary@cp.dias.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 614 0100
Website: dias.ie/astrophysics | dias.ie/dunsink
Maximum €4,000 per month (note that the stipend will be paid in euros and the approximate USD amount reflects the current exchange rate).
The School of Cosmic Physics runs the historic Dunsink Observatory (where William Rowan Hamilton worked) and fellows may avail of accommodation in the Observatory.
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.
The Fulbright Commission in Ireland seeks and encourages the involvement of all people in its grants. U.S. 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; at the forefront of European community development; and accessible.
Ireland is a friendly, engaging, modern, 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.
Ireland can rightly claim to be the most dynamic economy in the EU. We have the youngest population in Europe and one of the most educated workforces in the world — not to mention the most flexible and adaptable: 34% of the population is aged 25 or less (Europe’s youngest workforce). Ireland has a higher percentage of tertiary education, compared to EU average - find out more.
Higher education in Ireland is provided by 13 universities, 12 Technological Universities, 2 Institutes of Technology, multiple 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 centers: see here and culture & heritage for 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 billions of €uro in establishing advanced centers of research, world-class research facilities, and programs that are an attractive destination for international exchange visitors (Research Ireland).
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.
Fore further information please contact the Fulbright Commission in Ireland via email at awards@fulbright.ie.
A selection of U.S. and Irish Fulbright alum can be seen here and here.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.