The Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious fully-funded opportunity offered by the University of Galway, Ireland. Named after James Hardiman, the university’s first librarian, these scholarships are designed to attract high-achieving students with a drive for curiosity-driven research that makes a positive global impact.
About Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026
The Hardiman PhD scholarship supports outstanding individuals who wish to pursue a structured PhD in any full-time programme at the University of Galway. It is not limited to specific subjects but research can span across all disciplines including Arts, social sciences, Business, Law, science and Medicine. The focus is on quality research that aligns with the key pillars of the university such as sustainability, health and Digitalisation.
Objective of Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026
- To recruit the highest achieving international and domestic doctoral students.
- To support research that shapes the future and addresses societal needs.
- To foster a vibrant community where creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration thrive.
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Key Highlights of Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026
| Scholarship Name | Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Provider | University of Galway, Ireland. |
| Study Level | Doctoral ( PHD ) |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Eligible Countries | International ( EU & Non-EU |
| Annual Strip-end | €25,000 |
| Tuition Coverage | 100% Fee Waiver |
| Disability Provision | At least one scholarship reserved for candidates with disabilities. |
| Deadline | 6thFebruary,2026 (17:00 Irish Time) |
| Article Category | International Scholarship |
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have a first-class or upper-second-class honours primary degree or equivalent.
- Applications are not accepted from currently registered PHD students or those who already hold a PHD degree.
- You must nominate one PHD supervisor at the University of Galway and discuss your plans with them before applying.
- Applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, etc) if their primary degree was not conducted in English.
Assessment Process
Applications are assessed on the following criteria:
- Academic achievement and potential for high-quality research.
- Motivation, creativity and initiative to pursue scholarly inquiry.
- Appropriateness and strength of the proposed PHD project.
- Alignment with the University’s interdisciplinary and socially engaged research ethos.
All the Successful candidates will have to show that they can excel in a collaborative research setting while contributing original ideas that advance knowledge and create societal benefits.
Financial Benefits
Hardiman PHD scholarship provides a tax-free stipend of €25,000 p.a. plus tuition fee for four years. It also gives access to transferable skill training and research resources.
Important Dates
- Application open: 1st December, 2025 .
- Closing Deadline: 6th February 2026, 17:00 Irish Time .
- Supervisor Form Deadline: 6th February 2026, 17:00 Irish Time .
- Academic References deadline: 6th February, 2026, 17:00 Irish Time .
- Interview period: 16th April to 27th April 2026 via Zoom/MS Teams .
- Call outcome: Late May 2026 .
- PHD start date: 1st September 2026.
Required Documents
- Application form: Complete the PhD or online form with research details.
- Supervisor Form: Completed by applicant’s proposed supervisor.
- Two Academic References Forums: Sent confidentially by your references.
- Updated CV: Maximum 2 pages .
- Personal Research statement: Maximum 1000 words.
- Disability verification: only required if applying for the reserved category.
Features
- The scholarship gives a high standard of living for doctoral candidates through a robust financial package featuring €25,000 annual stipend and a 100 % fee waiver for both EU and international candidates for the duration of four years.
- Embracing disciplinary versatility, the award is open to high-achieving individuals in any field from Arts and business to science and medicine encouraging curiosity-driven projects within a structured PHD framework that emphasises transferable skills like leadership and commercialisation.
- Global inclusivity is central to the scheme as it is open to all nationalities and reserves at least one scholarship for candidates with disabilities.
- To ensure rigorous integrity, applications undergo a competitive assessment weighted heavily on the Personal Research statement (50) and require a mandatory digital endorsement from a dedicated university supervisor to secure funding.
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Application Process of Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026
Read the applicant’s guide before completing the application. The process includes 3 steps :
- Find a supervisor
- Nominate a PhD supervisor .
- The supervisor must submit the supervisor form by 6th February,2026 at 17:00 Irish Time.
- Submit your Application
- Submit a complete application by February 6, 2026, at 17:00 Irish time.
- Applications must be in English or Irish only.
- Provide Academic References
- Provide 2 academic references demonstrating suitability for postgraduate research.
- References must be submitted by 6th February 2026,17:00 Irish time.
All forms are available on the University of Galway application portal.
Helpline Number
- Email: hrscholae@universityofgalway.in
- Phone: +35391524411.
FAQs – Hardiman PhD Scholarship 2026
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