What is the 1916 Bursary Fund?

The 1916 Bursary aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education. It is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). To be eligible for a 1916 Bursary, all applicants must meet, Financial, Priority Group and College Entry eligibility criteria. Bursaries are awarded through regional clusters of higher education institutions. Each cluster has a limited number of bursaries which are awarded to the eligible applicants that present the greatest need. 

Applications for 2025/26 will open September 4th

The 1916 Bursary

How much is the bursary worth?

There are three different types of bursaries – Tier 1, 2 and 3.

Tier 1: Awardees will receive €5,000 per year for the normal duration of a full-time undergraduate programme and up to a maximum of six years for a part-time programme.

Tier 2: Awardees will receive €2,000 per year for the normal duration of a full-time undergraduate programme and up to a maximum of six years for a part-time programme.

Tier 1 and 2 bursaries will also be paid if students progress to postgraduate study.

Tier 3 Bursaries: Awardees will receive a once-off bursary of €1,500 for the 2025/26 academic year only

Who can apply for a 1916 Bursary? (Eligibility Criteria)

Financial Criteria:

Applicants must demonstrate that they would qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant Scheme

and/or

are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment.

College Entry Criteria:

Applicants must be first-time new entrants to higher education for undergraduate study

or

be a second-chance socio-economically disadvantaged mature students where they have:

• previously attended but not completed a course,
• had a three-year break in studies since leaving the course,
• are returning to attend an approved course and
• be over the age of 23yrs on 01 January 2025

Applicants must have been resident in the State (Republic of Ireland) for three of the past five years on the date on which their first year of study commences.

Applicants must be pursuing an approved full-time or approved part-time undergraduate course in one of the approved institutions in the regional clusters of HEIs.

Priority Target Groups:

Applicants must be from one or more of the following priority groups:

• Students from communities, groups or areas that are socio-economically disadvantaged or that have low levels of participation in higher education;
• Students who qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment are also considered to be socio-economically disadvantaged;
• Socio-economically disadvantaged mature students (23 or older on 1 January of their year of entry to higher education – and having never previously accessed higher education);
• Students with a disability;
• Members of the Irish Traveller community;
• Members of the Roma community;
• Further education and training award holders progressing to higher education;
• Students who are carers (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested carer’s allowance).
• Lone parents or teen parents (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested social welfare payment)
• Students who are migrants, refugees or who are from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State.

Who cannot apply for a 1916 Bursary?

• Students who are not first time entrants to higher education in the 2025/26 academic year*
• Students who have already received a qualification at the same level.
• Students on a full-time or part-time undergraduate course in a publicly funded institution that takes less than two years to complete or on the successful completion of which a student is awarded a major higher education and training award at level 5 or below on the National Framework of Qualifications.
• Student who is paying non-EU fees

*Excluding those who satisfy Second Chance study status as indicated in the 'Who can apply' section and guidelines.

How do I apply?

Applications to the 1916 Bursary can only be made via an online application portal.  

Before you start your application, please refer to www.1916Bursary.ie for guidance on eligibility criteria, how to apply, supporting documentation required and all other application details.   

Applications for the academic year 2025/26 will open September 4th  

The online application portal is available at: www.1916bursaryportal.ie 

Further Information / Queries 

Please refer to www.1916Bursary.ie for further information. 

How and when can I apply?

Applications to the 1916 Bursary can only be made via an online application accessible through the Bursary homepage.