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.
Ireland seeks and encourages applications from a broad range of backgrounds and professional experiences.
Project title: Developing Equitable and Collaborative Research Funding Models
Research Ireland is interested in working with scholars to optimize funding strategies to encourage innovation and collaboration at the intersection of fields. Interdisciplinary research is vital for tackling complex societal challenges; however, fostering collaboration across disciplines and ensuring an equitable distribution of funding across disciplines, demographics, and geographies remains a key challenge for research funding agencies.
This project will identify barriers to interdisciplinary and collaborative research models within the agency’s operations and develop strategies to overcome them. Outputs may include a report detailing best practices or policy recommendations for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, tools or models for connecting researchers across disciplines, or metrics for evaluating the success and impact of collaborative research projects.
Activities may include the use of advanced analytics, machine learning, as well as broad stakeholder engagement in Irish academia, including the delivery of seminars, public talks, chairing of workshops, provision of expert advice on review criteria, and engagement with the host community.
Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, is the new Irish national competitive research and innovation funding agency, established through the amalgamation of activities and functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.
This agency builds on the recognised strengths of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland, to work collaboratively with other research funders and enterprise in creating a cohesive national system for research and innovation in Ireland. Research Ireland supports researchers in all disciplines, at all career stages, in all types of research, in developing national capacity for research and innovation excellence, and will support Irish research and innovation engagement internationally.
As part of its objectives, the new agency aims to drive a step change in inter- and transdisciplinary research, bringing together researchers from different disciplines including Arts; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Research Ireland is an agency of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation, and Science, working in collaboration with higher education institutions and other state agencies such as the Higher Education Authority (HEA), IDA Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland.
6 - 9 months
Starting from September 2026 - January 2027. Awards must conclude by the end of July 2027.
Candidates would be expected to have in depth experience of the value and benefits of inter- and transdisciplinary research and the building of research clusters and teams across disciplines. They may for example have expertise in building interdisciplinary teams (understanding barriers and opportunities), in integration and implementation science and in research for policy and practice change.
Subject matter experts from a broad range of academic areas will be considered and the scholar would be required to provide expertise and advice in relevant discipline areas in order to contribute to the design and measurement of the most compelling approaches. We would also be interested in considering candidates with expertise in research for evidence- informed public policy and how this can be optimised through cross-disciplinary approaches.
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, an invitation letter will express this adequately.
PhD required (mid-late career academics); Both professionals and non-academics may also be considered with relevant experience and expertise.
Maximum Monthly stipend €4,000.
Note that the stipend will be paid in euros and the approximate USD amount reflects the current exchange rate. No extra financial assistance for travel and accommodation.
Applicants are not expected to seek cost-sharing from Host Institution during the application process. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland annually offers Irish institutions an opportunity to contribute to the Fulbright Program through cost-sharing. These arrangements allow the Commission to increase the number of awards available, and to maximize institutional involvement in the program.
The Commission organizes a comprehensive orientation in Fall and Spring for U.S. Grantees in Ireland.
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.