Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has encouraged eligible students to apply for the All Ireland Scholarship Scheme as young people receive their A-Level and BTEC results.
The scholarship, funded by the JP McManus Trust, supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds as they move into higher education. The annual award has increased from £5,500 to £5,850 per academic year.
According to the Department for the Economy, 376 students from Northern Ireland have benefited from the scheme since its launch. Across the island of Ireland, more than €51 million has been awarded, supporting more than 1,500 graduates to complete their studies.
Dr Archibald said the scholarships recognise academic excellence and are intended to help ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of opportunity. She encouraged all eligible students to consider applying.
The department said two former recipients, Naomi Duncan-Todd and Jay Curry, have highlighted the effect of the award on their university experience. Both are studying at Queen's University Belfast, with Ms Duncan-Todd studying Geography and Mr Curry studying Chemical Engineering.
Twenty-five scholarships will be awarded in Northern Ireland this year. They are for top-performing students from grant-aided schools and further education colleges who were in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance and are due to begin higher education in autumn 2026.
Applications close at 4pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. Further information and details on how to apply are available from nidirect and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.