Sport Ireland Research Grant Scheme 2026 2026

The Sport Ireland Research Grant Scheme 2026 is a research funding programme run by Sport Ireland to support sport-related research in Ireland. Based on the referenced posting, the scheme supports doctoral-level research connected to participation in sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing, inclusion, and programme evaluation.

One confirmed 2026 opportunity under this scheme is a fully funded 4-year PhD scholarship hosted by South East Technological University in Waterford. That project focuses on recreational football provision for women and girls across the lifespan in Ireland and is co-funded by the Football Association of Ireland and South East Technological University, with support from the Sport Ireland Research Grant Scheme 2026.

For the referenced PhD, funding includes an annual stipend of EUR 22,500, tuition fees covered at EUR 5,750 per year, and research costs of EUR 3,000 per year. This indicates that scheme-supported opportunities may provide comprehensive doctoral funding, although the exact package can vary by project and host institution.

The available posting suggests the scheme is especially relevant for applicants with interests in sport participation, women and girls' sport, inclusion, physical activity, health and wellbeing, and mixed-methods research. Eligibility and application procedures are likely to depend on the individual project or university advertisement rather than a single central application route.

Students interested in this scheme should monitor research vacancy pages and university announcements in Ireland for project-specific calls supported by Sport Ireland. Where available, applicants should prepare a strong academic CV and evidence of research interest aligned with the advertised topic.