Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship 2026: Call for Proposals Now Open

The Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications, offering researchers the opportunity to work directly with Government Departments and Agencies across Ireland. With a deadline of 16 April 2026, this competitive programme provides a unique pathway for researchers to apply their expertise to real-world policy challenges while gaining valuable experience within the Irish public sector.

The fellowship is designed as a temporary secondment, enabling researchers to contribute to specific, high-impact projects identified by host organisations. For 2026, Research Ireland is partnering with 26 Government Departments and Agencies, offering 71 project opportunities for applicants. Fellowships may run for 6 to 12 months full-time, or 12 to 24 months part-time, with a maximum award amount of €130,000 in direct costs. Many of the roles offer hybrid working models across multiple locations including Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Wexford, Kerry, Cavan, Westmeath, Offaly, Mayo, Galway, Sligo, and Meath.

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Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship Objectives

The fellowship aims to strengthen the relationship between Ireland’s research community and the public service by advancing evidence-based, data-driven, and innovative approaches to national challenges. Its core objectives include:

• Enhancing collaboration between researchers and Government bodies
• Fostering innovation within the public sector through research, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based practice
• Providing technical expertise in specific areas to inform policymaking and improve service delivery
• Supporting the strategic goals outlined by host organisations in their project briefs
• Expanding researchers’ understanding of public sector systems, operations, and needs

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Host Organisations

The 2026 Fellowship brings together a wide range of Irish public bodies offering structured project briefs. Participating host organisations include:

Central Statistics Office; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Culture, Communication and Sport; Department of Children, Disability and Equality; Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Department of Education and Youth; Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Department of Health; Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Environmental Protection Agency; Food Safety Authority of Ireland; Forensic Science Ireland; Health Service Executive; Irish Prison Service; National Cyber Security Centre; National Council for Special Education; National Disability Authority; National Poisons Information Centre; National Standards Authority of Ireland; Office of Public Works; Parliamentary Research Services (House of the Oireachtas); Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; State Laboratory; and The Electoral Commission.

Each of these organisations has provided detailed project outlines including background context, required researcher expertise, expected outputs, and proposed timelines.

Co-funding partners for the 2026 call include: the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of Children, Disability and Equality; the Department of Health; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Health Service Executive; the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and The Electoral Commission.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• PhD qualification (or equivalent) at the time of application
• Employment as a permanent academic staff member or a current contract postdoctoral researcher at an Eligible Research Body
• Not currently under review for other Research Ireland programmes
• Additional conditions apply for individuals currently holding, or who have previously held, Public Service Fellowship awards

Full eligibility conditions are outlined in the call document.

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Key Dates

• Call Launch: 14 January 2026
• Information Webinar: 4 February 2026 at 2:30pm (Irish local time)
• Application Deadline: 16 April 2026 at 13:00 (Irish local time)
• Funding Decision: July 2026

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How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through SESAME, Research Ireland’s online grants and awards management system, before the deadline. Researchers accessing SESAME for the first time should request access through their institution’s Research Office. Queries should be directed initially to the local Research Office, and unresolved issues may be emailed to the SESAME support team.

Applicants should consult the June 2025 Research Ireland Grant Applications Budget Policy when preparing their budgets. A thorough review of the call document is essential before beginning the application.

For accessing the application, click here.

To know more about such opportunities, click here.