Award for high-achieving students from low-income households increases to £5,850 per year; 25 places available in Northern Ireland for autumn 2026 starters, with applications closing at 4pm on Thursday 27 August 2026.

As thousands of young people receive their A-level and BTEC results, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has urged eligible students to apply for the prestigious All Ireland Scholarship Scheme.

Funded by the JP McManus Trust, the scheme supports high performers from low-income backgrounds to access higher education. Since launch, 376 students from Northern Ireland have benefited, while more than €51 million has been awarded across the island of Ireland, helping over 1,500 graduates to complete their studies.

Welcoming the increase in the annual award from £5,500 to £5,850, Dr Archibald said: "These scholarships recognise academic excellence and help ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of opportunity. They are changing lives and opening doors for talented young people right across our communities. "The success of the scheme speaks for itself. More than €51million has been invested in students across the island of Ireland and 376 young people from the north have already benefited. I encourage all eligible students to consider applying."

Her appeal is reinforced by two former recipients who described the positive impact on their university experience.

Naomi Duncan-Todd, a Geography student at Queen's University Belfast, said: "Receiving the scholarship made a real difference to my university experience. It eased the financial pressures that can come with higher education and allowed me to focus more fully on my studies. It also gave me the opportunity to take part in activities and experiences that have strengthened my CV and supported my future career ambitions."

Jay Curry, who is studying Chemical Engineering at Queen's University Belfast, said: "The scholarship reduced a lot of the financial stress that students can face. It meant I could spend more time focusing on my course, take on less debt and make choices about accommodation that would have been much more difficult without this support. The award has had a significant positive impact on my time at university."

This year, 25 scholarships will be awarded in Northern Ireland to top-performing students from grant-aided schools and further education colleges who received Educational Maintenance Allowance and are due to begin higher education in autumn 2026.

Applications close at 4pm on Thursday 27 August 2026.