Applications for 2023/24 are now closed.

What is the 1916 Bursary?

The 1916 Bursary is a financial award to encourage the participation and success of students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.

The 1916 Bursary 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) and aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education.

To be eligible for a 1916 Bursary, all applicants must meet, Financial, Priority Group and College Entry eligibility criteria.

Each participating college has a limited number of bursaries which are awarded to the eligible applicants that present the greatest need.

How much is the 1916 Bursary worth?

Tier 1: €5,000 per annum. In 2023/24, Tier 1 Bursaries will be awarded to a total of 400 new entrant undergraduate students for the duration of their studies.

Tier 2: €2,000 per annum. In 2023/24, Tier 2 Bursaries were awarded to a total of 200 new entrant undergraduate students for the duration of their studies. Tier 2 Bursaries will be awarded to applicants who meet the criteria for the 1916 Bursary but who did not ultimately qualify for a Tier 1 bursary.

Tier 3: Once-Off Bursary (€1,500 payable for 2023/24 academic year only). The number of Tier 3 bursaries to be paid will depend on the amount of remaining funding available to each cluster following the allocation of Tier 1 and 2 bursaries (including for continuing students and students progressing to postgraduate study).

Tier 1 and 2 bursaries will also be paid as students progress into postgraduate study. This means that students already in receipt of a 1916 Bursary and who are completing their undergraduate studies will be entitled to continue to receive their bursary for postgraduate study. Additional details are provided by the PATH 2 HEA guideline

Who can apply for a 1916 Bursary?

Any students entering year 1 of an (undergraduate) programme in the academic year (2023/24), full or part-time, with a household reckonable income less than €25,000 in 2022, who are in the identified priority groups, can apply for the bursary. Students who are entering directly to year 2 of a programme can also apply.

What are the criteria to apply?

To see if you may be eligible to apply for a 1916 Bursary, please see the Criteria Quick Check at www.1916Bursary.ie

What do our students say about 1916 Bursary?

Sinead Ringwood, a Drama and Theatre Studies student in Trinity, talks about her 1916 Bursary and discusses the impact the Bursary had on her studies.

If I am unsuccessful, can I appeal?

Yes. Full details on making an appeal will be provided to all applicants who are initially unsuccessful in their applications.

There will be an Independent Appeals Panel to ensure your application was assessed fairly and in line with the criteria. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified including information on how to make an appeal.

The appeals procedure is in respect of process only i.e., that you believe an administrative error was made.

No new information can be included or considered at appeal stage.

Appeals must be completed online within before the closing date.

Appeals will be independently reviewed on the grounds that the information provided was considered, assessed, and ranked correctly. The information submitted in the online application and the supporting documentation received will be used in consideration of the appeal. It will not be possible to submit further documentation at the appeal stage.

The decision of the 1916 Bursary Appeals Board is final.

There are a number of supports available to assist you with completing your application:

• Please see the Application Explainer There are also complete Applicant Guidelines available from the 1916 Bursary website. There is clear guidance provided throughout the online application form.
• Each of the Participating Colleges have a contact email for applicants to follow up with before and during the application process.   
• The contact email for applicants from Trinity College is 1916bursary@tcd.ie.

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