Applications for the 1916 Bursary now open
The Government are urging students to apply for the 1916 Bursary, as applications are now open until 5pm on October 9 2026.
The 1916 Bursary is an award to encourage students from the National Access Plan priority groups to participate in education, who are usually underrepresented in higher education.
The priority groups in the National Access Plan include: Students with disabilities, students from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and students from the Travelling and Roma communities.
The 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.
It aims to encourage the success of students from these groups, and the Government said that the availability of European Social Fund funding over the last few years has allowed for an increase in bursaries that can be awarded.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless said: “The 1916 Bursary makes a huge difference in the educational journey of students from the National Access Plan priority groups. Applications can be made online, and with the assistance of SUSI in the application, assessment and payments process, it is easier than ever for students to apply. I am encouraging all eligible students to make an application. Testimonials from previous awardees have shown that this is a valuable support for students. The guidelines for the Bursary and details on eligibility can be found at www.1916bursary.ie.”
Phillip Connolly, Director of Services with SUSI, said: “SUSI is proud to support the 1916 Bursary, which encourages participation and success for students who are significantly underrepresented in higher education. We’re committed to delivering continuous service improvements for students accessing this funding. To date, we have streamlined the application process, launched a customer care channel and ensured students receive their supports as early as possible. The improvements will not end there, as we continue to innovate and enhance the service for the future.”