The Open Doors Initiative (ODI), with generous support from State Street, has officially launched the ODI State Street Education Scholarship Fund for the 2026–2027 academic year. This important funding opportunity is designed to support students from marginalised and underrepresented communities in Ireland who face financial barriers to accessing higher education.
The scholarship programme aims to empower learners pursuing third-level education by easing the burden of tuition and registration fees. Eligible applicants can receive scholarships of up to €1,000 to support their educational journey.
Applications are now open, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 3 June 2026.
About the ODI State Street Education Scholarship Fund
The Open Doors Initiative is committed to creating equal access to education, employment, and training opportunities for people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. Through this partnership with State Street, ODI seeks to ensure that students facing systemic and financial barriers can continue or begin their higher education studies successfully.
The scholarship specifically supports individuals who may otherwise struggle to afford third-level education due to economic hardship and social exclusion.
Funding awarded through this programme can only be used toward:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
Applicants should note that proof of payment to the educational institution will be required.
Scholarship Value
Successful applicants may receive:
- Scholarships worth up to €1,000 each
The number of scholarships awarded may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received.
ODI has indicated that there is expected to be strong interest in this fund, and successful applicants will be informed as soon as possible after the review process.
Eligible Courses
Applicants may apply if they are:
- Currently attending a third-level course and have completed at least one year
- Accepted into a course for the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year
- Planning to apply for a course
Eligible programmes must be:
- Full-time or part-time
- Delivered during the 2026–2027 academic period
- At NFQ Level 6 or higher
Required Application Materials
Applicants will need to complete the official application form and provide the following information:
Personal Information
- First name
- Last name
- Email address
- Telephone number
Educational Information
- Course name
- Institution name
- Current stage of study
Personal Statement (Maximum 500 Words)
Applicants must submit a detailed personal statement explaining:
- Their background
- Academic goals
- Career aspirations
- Financial challenges
- Why they are applying for the scholarship
- The impact the scholarship would have on their future
The organisers note that applicants may use AI tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot to help structure or polish their responses. However, submissions that appear to be heavily AI-generated with minimal personal input may negatively affect the application.
Video Submission Requirement
In addition to the written application, applicants must submit:
- A video presentation of up to 2 minutes
The video should explain:
- Why the applicant would benefit from the scholarship
- Their educational goals
- Their personal story and motivation
Video Submission Instructions
Applicants must email their video to:
The email subject line should include:
- “State Street Educational Scholarship” followed by the applicant’s name
Important Conditions
Applicants should note the following conditions carefully:
- The scholarship can only be used for tuition or registration fees
- Proof of payment to the institution will be required
- Applicants receiving or approved for a SUSI grant are not eligible
- Applicants must complete the application themselves
- Applicants must be participants of the Open Doors Initiative programme
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the ODI State Street Education Scholarship Fund is:
3 June 2026
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible due to anticipated high demand.
Apply here
For more information about this opportunity visit here
Discover more scholarship opportunities here
