Fulbright Scholar Award

Future Scoping and Challenge-Based Funding

Ireland

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25596-IE
Activity Type
Professional Project
The Professional Project activity type provides professionals and artists in various fields the opportunity to interact with relevant organizations abroad to explore a topic related to their field without answering a defined research question. Professional Projects may include: professional consultations; artist residencies; visits to organizations in the applicant's field; practical experience in day-to-day operations; public lectures; mentoring; arranging exhibitions, performances or musical compilations; preparation of print materials (books, articles, or reviews); exchange of expertise with other professionals; participation in public events; or other appropriate professional activities.
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) not required
Career Profile
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.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
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

Approximately
1
Award Start Period
September 2025 - January 2026
Award Length
6 months - 9 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Computer Science
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Environmental Studies
Mathematics
Medical Sciences
Nursing
Public Health
Public Policy
Arts
Sociology
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

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

Ireland seeks and encourages the involvement of people from diverse backgrounds in all its grants.

Project title: Interdisciplinary approaches in mission-oriented research 

During 2024, a new research and innovation funding agency, Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland , will be established in Ireland. The agency will build and develop on the recognised strengths of the Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), to work collaboratively with other research funders and enterprise in creating a cohesive national system for research and innovation in Ireland. Research Ireland will support 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 future objectives, the new agency will 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. 

The new agency would be interested in working with a Fulbright scholar to research and understand the most effective approaches that a funder could take to enable and support interdisciplinary research through targeted funding opportunities as well as non-financial supports such as training and facilitation. 

The scholar would be invited to collaborate with Research Ireland officials in scoping of future funding opportunities which effectively promote, enable and foster interdisciplinary research. 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. 

Although the focus of the activities of the successful candidate could span different types of research and funding opportunities, one area of particular focus would be the expansion and development of challenge-based and mission-oriented funding activities which are aimed at delivering tangible societal impact. 

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 (including, but not limited to climate, sustainable development, food security, health and wellbeing etc.) 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. 

Activities may include broad stakeholder engagement in Irish academia including the delivery of seminars, public talks, chairing of workshops, provision of expert advice on review criteria, assisting with the identification of international experts and engagement with the host community.

Locations
Location Selection: Award is hosted by the institution listed below
Locations Detail

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation in the Republic of Ireland with responsibility for funding oriented basic and applied research in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with a strategic focus. It invests in academic researchers and research teams (in universities and institutes of technology) who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in STEM fields. SFI also promotes and supports the study of, education in, and engagement with STEM and promotes an awareness and understanding of the value of STEM to society and, in particular, to the growth of the economy.

SFI makes grants based upon the merit review of distinguished scientists. SFI also advances co-operative efforts among education, government, and industry that support its fields of emphasis and promotes Ireland’s ensuing achievements around the world.

SFI has a staff of approximately eighty people and its offices are based in Dublin, Ireland.

Award Length and Period

6 - 9 months

Starting from September 2025 - January 2026. Awards must conclude by the end of July 2026.

Areas of Interest

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 (including, but not limited to climate, sustainable development, food security, health and wellbeing etc.) 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).

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 preferred.
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.

Lisa Higgins l Head of Challenge Research

Science for Society Directorate

Science Foundation Irelan

E-mail: lisa.higgins@sfi.ie

Web: www.sfi.ie

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information

PhD required (mid-late career academics); Both professionals and non-academics may also be considered with relevant experience and expertise.

Award Allowances

Maximum Monthly stipend €3,800.

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. 

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
No
Special Award Benefits

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.

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.