The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation is now accepting applications for its Elevate Scholarship for Second Level Schools.

This Scholarship has been established to encourage talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve their full potential.

It will be awarded to successful Class of 2026 Leaving Certificate Students from each of the four schools listed below.

The successful candidates will be awarded €6,250 for each year of that student’s third-level course (up to a maximum of four years).

Please read the following information before proceeding with the application process:

Who is Eligible to Apply?
  • All Leaving Cert students who are sitting the Leaving Certificate examination in the current academic year.

  • Students who intend in the year immediately following their Leaving Certificate to pursue a full-time Level 8 undergraduate programme of three or more years duration in any publicly funded university or third level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland.

  • To continue to be in receipt of The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation Scholarship, students must be progressing in their education, each semester.

How to apply

  • Please click on the relevant school below to commence the online application process.

  • Applications open on 1st March 2026 and will close by 30th April 2026.

  • Prepare the following documents to be uploaded as part of your application:

    • A 500 word essay detailing the career goals, passion for the subject and how the scholarship will help you achieve your aspirations.
    • Two recommendation letters.
Selection Criteria

The Trustees of The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation have established a Selection Panel for assessing all applications and producing a shortlist. The Selection Panel will review and evaluate the merits and eligibility of these candidates using several criteria, including:

  • The interest, ability and potential of the candidate to study their chosen field.

  • The existence and severity of any disadvantages or barriers which may prevent or impede the candidate from their chosen field.

  • The candidate’s motivation, commitment and disposition to benefit from third-level education and to complete the course of study successfully.

  • The candidate’s Personal Statement – a 500 word essay detailing the applicants career goals, their passion for the subject and how the scholarship will help them achieve their aspirations, will bear strongly on their likelihood of success.

  • Must achieve at least 450 points in the Leaving Certificate.

  • The onus is on the candidate to complete the Application Form, particularly the Personal Statement, to demonstrate the degree to which they meet these criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be required to present to the panel in person, to discuss their application and motivation.

Other Key Dates:

  • Interview Notification (if applicable): 1st July 2026.

  • Conditional Scholarship Award Subject to CAO Results: 10th August 2026.

  • Scholarship Confirmation Notification: 28th August 2026.

  • Disbursement of Funds: 1st September 2026.

Terms and Conditions:
  • 1
    Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain and report satisfactory academic performance.
  • 2
    The scholarship is non-transferable, non-deferrable and must be used for the original approved course.
  • 3

    Scholarship recipients should not be in receipt of any other scholarship funding.

  • 4

    Recipients must participate in, and report on, at least one outreach or mentorship programme.

  • 5
    Failure to meet the eligibility or academic requirements may result in the termination of the scholarship.
  • 6

    Use of any AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) or Essay Writing Service for their personal statement, will be rejected and the application will not be processed. AI Checker tool will be used to verify that it is not AI generated.

Click one of the links below to start the application process.
Award of Scholarship

Upon receipt of the Leaving Certificate results, all candidates must submit their results and CAO offer to The Foundation by 24th August 2026.

The Scholarship will then be awarded to successful candidates, subject to:

  • Verification of Leaving Certificate results.

  • An offer of a place and confirmation of registration on the relevant third level course.

The award will be paid directly into the successful applicants bank account, by the School, at the start of each Semester.

Any scholarship awarded will continue, at the same amount as awarded for the first year, for each of the succeeding two, or three years of attendance, as applicable. 

This will be subject to certification by the relevant third level institute of the candidates satisfactory performance, including examinations, for each academic year. No scholarship amount will be paid for any academic year that is repeated.

The scholarship is not transferrable and will only be used for the third level course originally applied for.  The exact conditions governing the scholarship will be outlined in detail to the successful candidates at the time the offer is made.