1916 Bursary

The 1916 Bursary is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). The purpose of this bursary is to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and who are from groups most under-represented in higher education.

Leinster Pillar Cluster I Bursaries are awarded for eligible students in the following Higher Education Institutions: University College Dublin, National College of Art and Design, Marino Institute of Education, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Trinity College Dublin, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

Tier 1 bursaries are worth €5,000 per annum. Tier 2 bursaries are worth €2,000 per annum.

Applicants to the 1916 Bursary Fund must be:

  • A new entrant pursuing an undergraduate course for the first time 
  • Eligible for the Special Rate of SUSI grant (family income of €24,500) and/or in receipt of a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection means-tested payment
  • Have been a resident in the Irish State for three of the past five years
  • Be studying an approved full-time undergraduate course or part-time undergraduate course in one of the HEIs from the Leinster Pillar I cluster.

and be from one of the under-represented groups at higher education, including: 

  • Students from communities, groups or areas that are socio-economically disadvantaged or that have low levels of participation in higher education, including those who have experienced homelessness, the care system, survivors of domestic violence, and those who have experience of the criminal justice system
  • 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);
  • Second-chance socio-economically disadvantaged mature students. Such students may be considered for a bursary where they have:
    - previously attended but not completed a course
    - had a five-year break in studies since leaving the course, and
    - are returning to attend an approved course.
  • 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) – at least 20% of Tier 1 bursaries will be targeted at lone parents
  • Students who are migrants, refugees or who are from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State. 

If you do not meet all of the above criteria, you cannot be considered for a 1916 Bursary Award.

Applications for 2022 have now closed – applications for 2023 will open in due course.

Further information on the 1916 Bursary, including eligibility criteria checker, FAQs and application information is available at 1916bursary.ie.

1916 bursaries partners