Minister Lawless encourages students from underrepresented groups in Higher Education to apply for the 1916 Bursary
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 25 September 2025
- Last updated on: 25 September 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD is encouraging students from priority groups as outlined in the National Access Plan to apply for the 1916 Bursary. The application portal is open until 5pm on 10 October 2025.
The 1916 Bursary is a financial award to encourage the participation and success of students from National Access Plan priority groups that are significantly underrepresented in higher education. Students awarded Tier 1 or Tier 2 bursaries can retain the bursary for each year of their undergraduate and postgraduate study while undertaking eligible programmes on a full or part-time basis.
Minister Lawless said:
"The 1916 Bursary continues to make a real difference in the lives of students from National Access Plan priority groups, helping them to participate and succeed in higher education. With the new online portal and support from SUSI in the application, assessment and payment process, it’s now easier than ever to apply. I encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity and submit an application."
The guidelines for the Bursary and details on eligibility can be found at www.1916bursary.ie.
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 who are underrepresented in higher education. The availability of European Social Fund (ESF) funding for the last number of years has allowed for a significant increase in the potential bursaries that can be awarded.
Philip Connolly, Director of Services with SUSI said:
"SUSI is delighted to expand our services by further supporting students in Higher Education through the 1916 Bursary. Placing the student at the heart of our service, we have streamlined the application process and implemented procedures that help to ensure students receive their supports as early as possible."
Applications for the 1916 Bursary are open until 5pm on 10 October 2025. To be eligible for a 1916 Bursary, all applicants must meet financial, priority group and college entry eligibility criteria.
NOTES
- The National Access Plan 2022-2028 is the strategic plan for the equity of access, participation and success in Higher Education.
- Since its inception in 2017, the 1916 Bursary has expanded into a valuable support for Students from the target groups of the National Access Plans.
- In 2024/25 400 Tier 1, 200 Tier 2 and 738 Tier 3 new entrant bursaries were allocated.
- Bursary Value: Tier 1 – Bursaries worth €5,000 annually; Tier 2 – Bursaries worth €2,000 annually; and Tier 3 – Once-off bursaries payable for that academic year, worth €1,500.
- From 2023/24 the bursaries have been ESF Co-funded.
- Since 2024/25 SUSI are providing the online application portal, conducting assessments and appeals and processing payments.