Naughton Fellowship

About the Naughton Fellowship for ESTEEM Students

The Naughton Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for aspiring ESTEEM graduate students from Ireland to experience this innovative graduate program and immerse themselves in Notre Dame campus life.

This competitive program empowers future leaders in STEM fields to pursue an advanced degree while building international relationships and collaborations. To date, 102 Irish students have attended ESTEEM following their undergraduate studies at Irish institutions, including:

• Dublin City University

• University of Galway

• Trinity College Dublin

• University College Cork

• University College Dublin

These students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds including Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biopharmaceutical Science, Business Information Systems, Chemical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Energy Engineering, Immunology, Management Science and Information Systems Science, Mathematical Science, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanoscience, Physics, and Software Engineering.

The Naughton Fellowship Award

Through the Naughton Fellowship, Irish students graduating from select universities can earn a full tuition scholarship, along with a $22,000 stipend for living expenses and a full health insurance subsidy for the sponsored student’s insurance plan.

Where Our Naughton Fellows Are Now

Our Irish graduates have found career success in a number of industries following their studies at ESTEEM, including:

Technology
Apple, Uber, Facebook, Palantir, SAP

Consulting
Avanade, McKinsey, Bain, Deloitte, E&Y, IQVIA, DayBlink, PwC

Startups and Early Stage Companies
Cyndx, Telnyx, Modern Treasury, Springboard, teacherCODE

Heathcare and Medical
DigiBio, Personalis, Cerner

Irish students can earn a master's degree in one year through ESTEEM. This program immerses students in a year of graduate-level study rooted in innovation, entrepreneurship, and general business concepts, to augment and make more marketable their scientific, technical, and engineering skills.

How to Apply for the Naughton Fellowship

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

To be eligible for Naughton Fellowship consideration, you must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Receive your undergraduate degree from one of the following Irish institutions before the time of matriculation into the ESTEEM graduate program:

• Dublin City University

• University of Galway

• Trinity College Dublin

• University College Cork

• University College Dublin

*Interested Irish students earning an undergraduate degree from another Irish university are welcome to apply and are fully eligible for admission to ESTEEM, although they may not be eligible for funding through the Naughton Fellowship.

• Complete a five-year Bachelor of Science + Master of Science program in Ireland

• Possess an undergraduate background in science, engineering, research or technology.
  Areas of undergraduate study may include computer science, electrical engineering, industrial design, biology, economics, data analytics, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and other related disciplines.

2. Apply for ESTEEM Graduate Program Admission

You may begin your application to the ESTEEM graduate program at any time, but all Irish applications are considered and decided during Round 3. Please review the ESTEEM program application process noting the following differences for Irish student applicants:

• The Round 3 application deadline is Tuesday, January 26, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All applications from Irish candidates for the ESTEEM program and the Naughton Fellowship Program should be submitted after December 2, 2026 and by January 26, 2027. 

• The ESTEEM graduate admissions application fee is waived for students applying from Ireland. When you begin your application, please email ESTEEM to obtain your fee waiver code.

• Standardized test scores are not required for Naughton Fellowship applicants.

3. Prepare Your Naughton Fellowship Application Materials

Interested fellowship applicants should refer to the ESTEEM Naughton Fellowship Application Checklist to ensure they’ve submitted all required documentation. These documents include:

• Transcripts from All Undergraduate and Graduate Institutions Attended

• Resume or CV

• Personal Statement

• Entrepreneurial Mindset Material (See application for prompt)

• Three (3) Academic Recommendations

4. Tips for a Compelling Personal Statement

Your Naughton Fellowship application personal statement must be uploaded as a PDF file in the "Essay Short Answer" section of the application. The listed limit for the Statement of Purpose is 500 words. Those applying for the Naughton Fellowship can include up to 900 words in their Statement of Purpose. 

The Statement of Purpose invites you to answer three core questions:

• Why is ESTEEM right for you? Use this opportunity to explain why you’ve chosen to pursue your graduate education in the ESTEEM program and, more broadly, at Notre Dame. How will this experience help you fulfill your personal, academic or career aspirations?

• Why are you right for ESTEEM? Share why you feel you are a great candidate for the ESTEEM program. Include any relevant academic, non-academic, professional and research-based experiences.

• Why now? Students come to ESTEEM at different times during their academic and professional journeys. Why is this the best time for you?

For the Naughton Fellowship, we ask that you include additional detail:

• How will the Naughton Fellowship impact you? Share how a Naughton Fellowship would be of benefit to you during your studies and in the future.

• Share some of your achievements and aspirations. Please give us insight into your non-academic pursuits and achievements, including sports, volunteer work, and other interests. Tell us a little bit about who you are outside of the classroom

Additional Information for Naughton Applicants

Significant importance and preference will be given to those Naughton candidates who demonstrate academic excellence; however, the committee will consider several additional criteria, including:

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

• the candidate’s capacity to successfully complete the program of study; and

• the candidate’s desire and ability to serve as a cultural ambassador.

Please visit International Student and Scholar Affairs for visa and other information.