The Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship Programme enables Ireland-based researchers to undertake a temporary secondment (6–24 months) in Government Departments and Agencies to support evidence-based policymaking and public sector innovation.

Fellows remain employed by their Research Body and can receive up to €130,000 in direct costs, including salary support, teaching buyout, mobility allowance, and open access publishing costs.

Applications must be submitted via the SESAME system by 16 April 2026 at 13:00 Dublin local time.

The Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship Programme supports collaboration between academic researchers and Irish Government bodies.

The programme enables researchers to work directly within Government Departments or Agencies (Host Organisations) on high-impact public service projects.

It is designed to:

Promote evidence-based policymaking
Strengthen research–government collaboration
Improve public service delivery
Enhance innovation in the public sector
Build researchers’ understanding of public administration

Programme Structure

The fellowship is delivered through collaboration between Research Ireland and participating Host Organisations.

Successful applicants:

Undertake a temporary secondment
Remain employees of their Research Body
Work on defined projects within the Host Organisation

Duration Options

Full-time secondment: Up to 12 months
Part-time secondment: Up to 24 months
Typical part-time commitment: 50% time

Secondments must last between 6 and 24 months.

Priority Policy Areas

The programme supports projects aligned with national and departmental priorities, including:

Environment and bioeconomy
Culture and creative industries
Cybersecurity
Data and digital evidence
Education
Inclusion and disability
Energy and infrastructure
Workforce planning
Food safety
Health policy
Population health
Public support services
Standards development

Projects must demonstrate clear public value and policy relevance.

Funding Details

Maximum funding available:

Up to €130,000 in direct costs per fellowship

Eligible Direct Costs

Teaching buyout (for faculty researchers)
Salary contribution for postdoctoral researchers (aligned to Research Ireland salary scales)
Mobility allowance (up to €10,000 for justified travel and accommodation)
Open access publishing costs linked to fellowship activities

Indirect Costs

An overhead contribution is provided to the Research Body as a percentage of direct costs.

Who Is Eligible?

The fellowship is open to researchers across all disciplines, including AHSS (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) and STEM.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must:

Be employed by an eligible Irish Research Body
Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification
Be either:
- Permanent or temporary academic staff, or
- Current contract postdoctoral researchers

Additional Conditions

Applicants:

Must not be under review for another Research Ireland programme unless prior approval is granted
Must comply with specific conditions if currently holding or previously holding long-term fellowship awards
May reapply if previously awarded a Public Service Fellowship, but not to the same Host Organisation

Role of the Host Organisation

Host Organisations:

Define the secondment project
Provide access to necessary resources
Offer mentorship and on-the-job training
Participate in selection interviews

Formal secondment agreements govern:

Confidentiality
Data protection
Intellectual property
Organisational policies

Fellows are expected to actively co-create solutions with the Host Organisation.

How the Fellowship Works

Step 1: Project Identification

Host Organisations define project opportunities aligned with policy needs.

Step 2: Application Submission

Applications are submitted through the SESAME online system by the Research Office of the applicant’s Research Body.

Step 3: Eligibility and Compliance Check

Research Ireland conducts administrative checks.

Step 4: Shortlisting

Host Organisations shortlist candidates.

Step 5: Interview

An interview panel includes:

Host Organisation representatives
Research Ireland representatives
An independent external interviewer

Step 6: Secondment Agreement

Successful candidates enter into a formal secondment arrangement.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

Narrative CV
Personal statement
Budget justification
Mandatory letters of support

Applications must be submitted by the Research Office, not directly by the applicant.

Key Deadline

Final submission deadline:

16 April 2026 at 13:00 (Dublin local time)

Late applications will not be accepted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these frequent issues:

Submitting directly instead of through the Research Office
Exceeding the €130,000 direct cost cap
Weak alignment with Host Organisation objectives
Insufficient budget justification
Failing to demonstrate policy impact
Ignoring fellowship eligibility conditions

Strong applications clearly demonstrate mutual benefit and public value.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Public Service Fellowship Programme is strategically important because it:

Embeds research expertise in government decision-making
Strengthens Ireland’s evidence-based policy ecosystem
Enhances cross-sector collaboration
Builds long-term relationships between academia and the public sector
Supports innovation in public services

It provides researchers with direct policy exposure while delivering measurable impact to Government Departments and Agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does the fellowship last?

Between 6 and 24 months, depending on whether it is full-time (up to 12 months) or part-time (up to 24 months).

2. How much funding is available?

Up to €130,000 in direct costs per fellowship.

3. Do fellows remain employed by their university?

Yes. Fellows remain employees of their Research Body during the secondment.

4. Who submits the application?

The Research Office of the applicant’s Research Body submits the application via SESAME.

5. Can postdoctoral researchers apply?

Yes. Current contract postdoctoral researchers employed by eligible Irish Research Bodies may apply.

6. Can previous Public Service Fellows apply again?

Yes, but they cannot apply to the same Host Organisation as before.

7. What types of costs are covered?

Teaching buyout, salary contributions, mobility allowance (up to €10,000), and open access publishing costs.

Conclusion

The Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship Programme offers a structured, funded pathway for Irish researchers to directly influence public policy and service delivery.

With funding up to €130,000, flexible secondment options, and strong institutional support, the programme strengthens collaboration between academia and government while advancing innovation and evidence-based policymaking in Ireland.

Eligible researchers seeking policy engagement and real-world impact should prepare early and coordinate closely with their Research Office before the 16 April 2026 deadline.