Dublin City University 2 PhD Scholarships on Irish Studies Open for 2026 intake
Sealbhu, DCU’s dedicated research centre for Irish-language education, has opened two part-time doctoral scholarships for candidates ready to tackle one of the most pressing questions in minority-language pedagogy: how to make classroom Irish actually work.
Most children in Ireland encounter the Irish language inside English-medium classrooms, yet the quality of that experience varies enormously. Sealbhu (Holdbhu), a research centre housed within DCU’s Institute of Education, is now actively recruiting doctoral candidates who want to close that gap through rigorous, practice-oriented research.
The programme sits at the intersection of applied linguistics, curriculum studies and language-planning policy, and DCU is positioning these scholarships as a direct investment in evidence-based reform. Candidates from any country who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. The university’s Institute of Education, notably the only dedicated Faculty of Education in Ireland, will supervise the work alongside Sealbhu’s specialist team.
What the Funding Actually Covers?
Each scholarship is structured to remove the financial barriers of a six-year part-time doctorate, covering the essentials candidates need most.
- Full EU tuition fees paid for the entire six-year duration of the part-time PhD programme
- Conference support grant of 1,000 euros included to help scholars present their findings at national and international events
- Two awards in total – one scholarship dedicated to Irish-language teaching in English-medium schools, and one open to research across English-medium, Gaeltacht or all-Irish settings.
Who Should Be Reaching for This?
DCU is looking for applicants who combine academic credentials with genuine expertise in language education. Here is what you will need before applying.
- A completed Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as applied linguistics, Irish-language education or minority-language studies
- Solid foundational knowledge of Irish-language teaching and learning, including familiarity with second-language or minority-language pedagogy
- High-level proficiency in both oral and written Irish and English
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively on sustained research projects
- Compliance with Dublin City University’s postgraduate research eligibility criteria for doctoral admissions.
From Draft Proposal to Doctoral Offer: How to Apply?
The application is submitted as a single PDF sent by email to [email protected], with the subject line “Regarding the Sealbhu PhD Scholarship.” Inside that PDF, the admissions team expects to find the following items assembled in order as per this call https://www.dcu.ie/sealbhu/ag-tacu-le-teagasc-agus-foghlaim-na-gaeilge.
- Write a cover letter outlining your motivation, research interests and fit with the Sealbhu centre’s mission
- Include a full CV listing your academic background, any publications and the names of two referees who can speak to your research potential
- Attach a copy of your degree certificate or official transcript confirming your Master’s qualification
- Prepare a draft research proposal using the template provided by Sealbhu. Note that this proposal is treated as a demonstration of your research capability and may be substantially revised after selection
- Submit a copy of your Master’s thesis as a separate accompanying document
For informal queries before you apply, you can contact Dr Aisling Ni Dhiorbhain at [email protected]. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.