Spiorad na Mara Scholarships Programme 2026

About the programme

The Spiorad na Mara Scholarships Programme provides support for those planning to enter a four-year degree course at a university in Scotland. There are five scholarships available to support studies in STEM and studies in the areas of Gaelic language and/or culture.Successful applicants will be awarded £2,500 per year for four years.The programme is now open for applications for the 2026/27 academic year.

Who can apply?

The scholarships are available to any student between the ages of 17 and 21, who is a long-term resident of the Outer Hebrides and is applying to a relevant Scottish university course for the first time, including:

Final-year students at the four secondary schools in the Outer Hebrides: the Nicolson Institute, Sir E Scott, Sgoil Lionacleit and Castlebay School.
Home-schooled students who are resident in the Outer Hebrides
Students who recently completed their secondary education and are currently taking a ‘gap’ period before going to university for the first time.

Courses within the following study areas will be considered:

STEM

Degree studies within the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.Courses could include:

Engineering – Mechanical, Electrical or Civil
Environmental and Ecological Science
Renewable Energy
Sustainable Development
Biodiversity
Earth, Marine or Biological Sciences

Gaelic Language and/or Culture

Degree courses inspired or influenced by the Gaelic language and culture.

Study areas could include:

Archaeology with Gaelic Studies
Gaelic Language and Culture
Gaelic Culture and Art
Gaelic Culture and Music

Please note that teacher training courses will not be considered as part of this programme.

How do I apply?

To be considered for a scholarship, eligible students must submit an application comprising the following:

An original creative project, which must be solely the work of the student, based on the theme of ‘Why young voices matter in the future of our communities’.
Explanatory text (500 words maximum) to accompany the project, setting out the student’s thinking behind the creative project, its connection to the theme of ‘Why young voices matter in the future of our communities’, and the student’s own motivations and/or experiences around the topic.

All successful applicants must also provide confirmation (when available) of acceptance on a relevant course at a Scottish university, starting in the academic year 2026/2027.

Full details of the application process, including a link to the online application form, can be found under the Application Process and Application Requirements section below.

Scholarship award

Each student awarded a scholarship will receive an amount of £2,500 per academic year, for a four-year period of study, subject to the terms and conditions set out below. The annual amount will be paid in two equal instalments, one in September and the second in February of the relevant academic year, following receipt of a signed update form from each scholarship recipient.

Timetable

Applications will be assessed as soon as possible after the deadline for submissions and successful applicants will be notified by email in August 2026. Successful applicants will then be asked to complete and sign a letter of offer and confirm their bank details so that payments can be made.