Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship 2026 (Up to €130,000 Funding)
Applications are now open for the Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship, a prestigious program that connects academic researchers with government departments and public agencies in Ireland. The fellowship allows researchers to contribute their expertise to policy development, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in the public sector.
This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to work directly with government organizations on real-world projects while strengthening collaboration between academia and the public sector.
Fellowship Overview
Host Country: Ireland
Program: Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship
Fellowship Duration:
6–12 months (full-time)
12–24 months (part-time)
Funding Amount: Up to €130,000 (direct costs)
Application Deadline: 16 April (13:00 Irish time)
Funding Decision Announcement: July
Fellowship Purpose
The Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship is designed to strengthen collaboration between academic researchers and public sector organizations. Fellows will work on specific projects where their research expertise can support government initiatives, policy development, and public service innovation.
Key objectives of the fellowship include:
Encouraging collaboration between researchers and government bodies
Supporting innovation within the public sector
Promoting evidence-based policy-making
Enhancing the delivery of public services through research expertise
Providing researchers with insight into how the public sector operate.
Degree Level
Fellowship Duration and Work Arrangements
Fellows are seconded to government organizations to work on selected projects.
Full-time fellowships: 6 to 12 months
Part-time fellowships: 12 to 24 months
Many projects offer hybrid working arrangements, with placements available across several locations in Ireland, including:
Dublin
Cork
Galway
Sligo
Other possible locations include Kildare, Wexford, Kerry, Cavan, Westmeath, Offaly, Mayo, and Meath.
Available Projects
The fellowship program includes multiple research projects offered by government departments and agencies. Fellows will contribute to projects addressing policy development, research, and operational challenges within the public sector.
Host Organizations
Participating organizations include several major public sector bodies such as:
Central Statistics Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Health Service Executive
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Irish Prison Service
National Cyber Security Centre
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Each host organization provides project outlines detailing the research scope, required expertise, and expected outcomes.
Available Subjects
- All subjects
Benefits
Funding Amount: Up to €130,000 (direct costs)
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification at the time of application
Be either:
A permanent academic staff member (Faculty Researcher) at an eligible research institution, or
A postdoctoral researcher employed at an eligible research body at the submission deadline
Applicants under review for other Research Ireland programs are not eligible to apply
Additional criteria may apply for applicants who currently hold or previously held fellowship awards
Applicants should carefully review the official call document for complete eligibility details.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted through the SESAME Grants and Awards Management System, the online platform used by Research Ireland to manage grant applications.
Application steps include:
Review the official call document and eligibility requirements
Prepare the required proposal and supporting documents
Submit the application through the SESAME platform before the deadline
Obtain approval from your institution’s research office if required
Researchers accessing SESAME for the first time should contact their institution’s research office to set up their account.
Final Thoughts
The Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to apply their academic expertise in real-world government projects. By working with public sector organizations, fellows can contribute to policy development, data-driven decision-making, and improved public services in Ireland.
