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.
While this is primarily a research-based invitation, in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences, we welcome initiatives proposed by the visiting scholar that might involve making connections with students and staff in any number ways. In the past, these have included one-off or series of talks, seminars, lectures and presentations, which can be delivered (for the most part in a non-credited way) either formally or informally. In tandem with any research project undertaken during the period of the candidate's visit to University College Cork, we also welcome participation in symposia or conferences where they might act as useful for a for the presentation of work, or merely as a mechanism to reach out creatively to members of staff within given fields of research. There are no expectations or requirements to deliver sections of accredited modules or programmes, although visiting scholars are welcome to discuss participation on any level with module or programme coordinators, if they are interested.
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork
UCC is one of Ireland's oldest institutions of higher education. With its historic campus located in the heart of Cork city, a vibrant economic hub located in one of Ireland’s most scenic regions, with a rich cultural heritage. Ranked in the top 2% of universities globally, UCC serves a community that is both local and global. Our true strength lies in the people who work and study here, and UCC’s student body of more than 25,000 includes over 5,000 international students from more than 100 countries. And over one third of our 3,500 professional staff come from overseas. With a strong focus on research and innovation, UCC is the leading Irish university for industry collaboration and for securing investment in Research and Innovation. The UCC Futures framework organises our research into thematic areas of excellence supporting the provision of impactful solutions to some of the most important global challenges of our time.
For researchers in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) traditional mono-dimensional forms of research dissemination are increasingly expected to be accompanied by innovative cross disciplinary methods aimed at non-academic audiences. With a view to encouraging engagement with the local non-academic community as well as increasing impact with relevant public and private institutions, UCC prioritizes the notion that the University is in the community, of the community and for the community. As a result researchers are encouraged to consider how their work might be disseminated in more accessible and digestible ways leading to greater impact with a wider audience. Mirroring this, through their teaching they aim to ensure our students are not just consumers of research throughout their learning careers but are creators, evaluators and communicators of knowledge as global citizens both in their area of expertise, but also more broadly as members of their local community.
3 months
October 2026 or January 2027 (Flexible)
All disciplines in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
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 will express this adequately.
Contact: Karen Coughlan, Graduate School Manager, College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.
Email: k.coughlan@ucc.ie
Web: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cacsss/grads/
Tel: +353 (0)21 490 3304
Preference is for mid- to late-career applicants with a strong research and/or publication profile.
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 Commission hosts an orientation for U.S. Grantees.
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.