GUA News: A Global Win - a Gateway to What’s Next
Turning Recognition into a Research Opportunity in Ireland
August 26, 2025
by Comms Team
As September approaches we know thousands of students worldwide are eagerly awaiting the results of The Global Undergraduate Awards. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering: what does a Global or Regional Win actually mean for your academic journey?
Beyond the immediate recognition, the answer might lie in Ireland’s most prestigious postgraduate research funding scheme: the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.
Why this Could matter to you
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme supports students from all disciplines to pursue Master’s and PhD research in Irish universities. It offers up to €34,000 per year in funding — including a stipend, fee contribution, and research expenses.
The Programme is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. BUT, this is where your GUA recognition comes in.
How a Global Undergraduate Award can help your application
Winning a Global or even a Regional Award demonstrates to postgraduate funders that:
You’ve already been peer-reviewed internationally. Like the scholarship, GUA entries are peer reviewed by academics, and given you reach the Regional or Global Winner distinction from the GUA you already have the building blocks in place
Your research potential is proven. The Government of Ireland Scholarship values originality, interdisciplinary and ambition — the very qualities the GUA celebrates.
You stand out in a competitive field. On your CV or academic track record, a GUA win signals that your undergraduate work is not just good, but world-leading.
Your Global Undergraduate Award isn’t just a mere accolade to add. It’s a stepping stone that shows you’re ready to take on the challenge of postgraduate research at the highest level.
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2025 call opens – 11th September 2025 — just before the GUA Results
The value of the scholarship will be up to a maximum of €34,000 per annum in any approved year and will consist of the following:
- A stipend of €25,000 per annum
- A contribution toward fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum [In cases where the grant recipient is a non-EU national, they may request an additional €4,000 per annum over-and-above the standard fee contribution. Any remaining differential in fees must be paid by the grant recipient and/or the Research Body.]
- Eligible direct costs of €3,250 per annum
If you’re named a Global Winner, Regional Winner, or even Highly Commended, you are encouraged to highlighting this in your application. It will strengthen your academic application and as the Global Undergraduate Awards is one of the foundation strategic partners in the Irish Government Global Citizens 2030 plan this accolade will strengthen your profile and signal your readiness for postgraduate research when you approach supervisors and universities to support your application too.
Applications close on 23 October 2025, giving you just over a month to prepare. Find out more https://www.researchireland.ie/funding/government-ireland-postgraduate/
Being recognised by The Global Undergraduate Awards already marks you out as one of the brightest undergraduate researchers in the world. Using that launch pad to apply for further study, Scholarships (not just in Ireland) or work could open doors to fully funded postgraduate study, cutting-edge research opportunities and an academic career that builds directly on your undergraduate achievements.
Your undergraduate journey may be ending — but with the right next step, your story is just beginning.
