The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Ireland


1 Fulbright/University College Cork Masters in Creative Writing Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Specialized Grant Types
  • Arts
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

Grantee may pursue a taught Masters in Creative Writing at University College Cork which was established in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges at Cork, Galway and Belfast.  Located on a beautiful, historic campus, University College Cork has grown from 115 students to over 20,000, from one building to dozens, from less than 20 staff to more than 1,600 today. The MA in Creative Writing at University College Cork encourages students to be curious about literature, to pursue creative excellence and to develop their writing in a university atmosphere. The course as a whole encourages and supports a full exploration of the creative self while also maintaining a strong vocational emphasis including professional placements. All of University College Cork’s courses are embedded in Cork’s dynamic creative milieu, rooted in expert practice and taught by highly accomplished professionals. A rich variety of modules are available, including Fiction, Poetry and Life Writing.

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
September Start

Commencing in September 2025.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

Orientation typically takes place in October once the majority of grantees are in-country.

Candidate Profile

The Commission is seeking applicants who:

  1. Possess excellence (academically, personally, professionally, creatively);
  2. Demonstrate leadership experience, attributes and, or potential;
  3. Outline a strong rationale and feasible methodology for pursuing a degree in University College Cork that indicates how a Fulbright to Ireland fits into their longer term goals;
  4. Demonstrate the benefit of becoming a Fulbrighter; to themselves (personally and professionally), to their discipline, to society, to Ireland, to the Fulbright Program / Commission and to the US when they return;
  5. Extend themselves beyond their project / studies to become actively involved in Irish society and the work of the Fulbright Commission.  The Commission is keen to support projects that brings awardees into contact with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly outside of academia, to maximize their academic / cultural exchange experience and to raise awareness of the Fulbright Program in Ireland.

University College Cork will consider applications from graduates of all disciplines. Applicants are expected to have a cumulative GPA of 3.2.  Applicants with relevant writing or arts experience (e.g. working in publishing, journalism or arts administration) are also invited to apply. All applicants will be asked to submit a piece of creative writing of 1000 words (any genre).

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Ireland is a friendly, engaging and vibrant country with centuries of U.S. interaction as part of its DNA. As an increasingly diverse society with a highly educated workforce, competitive educational system and millennia of culture, it is a popular choice for U.S. Student applicants.

Higher education in Ireland is provided by 12 universities, 2 Institutes of Technology, and a number of specialist colleges in art, business, law, music, medicine and theology. There are also a significant number of well-funded research centres and cultural institutions that may be considered as host options.

Irish colleges typically operate on a two-semester academic year: September to December and January to May. Further information on higher education in Ireland can be found here.

Most Higher Education Institutions are supported by the Irish government. For example, universities and Institutes of technology receive more than 90 percent of their income from the state. The Irish government has invested 2.5 billion euro establishing advanced centres of research, and world-class research facilities and programs that are an attractive destination for international exchange visitors.

Fulbright Alumni cite the following advantages associated with coming to Ireland: English-speaking; very welcoming; family-friendly; safe; intellectually challenging; culturally rich and diverse; and accessible. Please see the Commission’s Coming to Ireland page for more information and resources. Helpful advice on living and studying in Ireland can also be found on the official website of the Government of Ireland here.

Please contact the Fulbright Commission in Ireland via email at awards@fulbright.ie

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSqPQGZKWc0 – Irish Fulbright Commission

For further information on Fulbright Alumni, please see the Alumni Directory here. A complete list of Fulbright Campus Ambassadors is also available to search and view.

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
12 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start

Letter not required at deadline. Applicants will need to apply for admission to the Masters in Creative Writing as per University College Cork’s admissions procedures. Applicants are expected to have proof of acceptance onto the Masters in Creative Writing programme if offered a Fulbright award. The Fulbright Commission can assist with / advise on this process but applicants should make initial enquiries with the Director of Creative Writing, Dr Eibhear Walshe, email: e.walshe@ucc.ie prior to contacting the Commission.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition offered at discretion of host university/Award
Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1650-1750 monthly stipend amount in
€ [Euro]
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

The estimated monthly cost of living is €1750 to €2000.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available

Dependents are not permitted to accompany applicants on grant.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
MA in Creative Writing at University College Cork: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cke10/
GPA Calculator: https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/