Taoiseach Micheál Martin will present 40 students from underrepresented backgrounds with scholarships to study a range of STEM courses, such as AI and cybersecurity.
Among those set to receive scholarships are members of the Traveller community, students who have been in the care of the State, students with disabilities and refugee students.
The Insight Scholarship Programme, supported by funding from Google.org and coordinated by DCU, is the largest scholarship programme of its kind in Ireland.
With a funding package of €1.5 million over five years, two cohorts of undergraduate students will receive scholarships to study in one of 230 STEM courses across 12 Irish universities.
Forty students entered the programme in the first cohort in 2024 and will be presented with certificates at the launch event today.
Applications for the second cohort of students will open in October 2025. Successful applicants will be awarded €5,000 per year, up to a maximum duration of five years.
"In an increasingly digitalised world, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent in STEM fields is paramount for the future sustainability of our society and economy," the Taoiseach said.
The Insight Research Centre for Data Analytics is one of Europe's largest data analytics research organisations, with over 450 researchers, more than 80 industry partners and in excess of €150 million in funding.
"Our mission is to co-develop solutions to the most pressing problems on our planet, integrating expertise across disciplines, sectors and, critically, including citizens as partners," said Professor Noel O’Connor, Insight CEO.
"We believe this can only be achieved if we tackle societal inequalities in STEM education. Insight and Google are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in AI and Digital Safety," Professor O'Connor added.
Dr Jessica McCarthy, Vice President of Engineering at Google Ireland, said the scholarship programme offers key support for students from diverse backgrounds to shape the future of technology.
"AI, including generative AI, has the power to transform Ireland’s society, healthcare outcomes and economy - contributing up to €45 billion to GDP over the next decade," Dr McCarthy said.
