The Ireland - U.S. Council Annual Student Work Experience Scholarship program is operated by the Council in which undergraduates from Irish Universities are assigned temporarily to work in American corporations. The Council also operates a program for post-graduate American students who work as management interns for companies in Ireland.

The two years of 2020 and 2021 saw the postponement of our Ireland-U.S. Council’s program of Student Work Experience Scholarships. Our student candidates unfortunately could not travel due to international travel restrictions. The Program restarted with one candidate scholar in 2022 and are pleased that we have been able to lay down the marker for the return of this successful, admired and popular program which was first started in New York by the Council 38 years ago.

The Ireland-U.S. Council was forced to forego our Annual Council Scholarships Luncheon event in 2022 and instead hosted our Scholarship Ceremony in partnership with Council member-company CIE Tours International.  At the event in early June, 2022 hosted to celebrate what few companies can claim – the 90th Anniversary of its founding, CIE Tours International, a long-time supporter of the Council, offered us the opportunity to invite our members and friends to cheer the return of this program at this splendid evening occasion.

By the first quarter of 2022, it was clear that there was still some residual disruption from the Covid shutdown. After thorough review, the Council determined that Remote working really did not fulfill the objectives of the program where our Council scholars can benefit and seek to learn from experiences in the workplace in the United States.

Commenting on the return of the program, Council President Tom Higgins remarked:

“Despite missing two full years of this program, 2022 marks the 36th year in which the Council has operated the program – of course we missed two years so the program was started 38 years ago. We in the Council are proud of the role that this program has played over the years as part of the Council’s broader mission to build closer business and economic links between the United States and Ireland – north and south. We are delighted to announce details of the recipients of the Council’s Work Experience Scholarships for this year.”



Mr. Higgins added “Throughout the three decades-plus of operating this program there have been many changes in the rules governing the administration of the U.S. laws governing workplace visa requirements. These changes understandably intensified in the years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in America. In recent years, the Ireland-U.S. Council has adjusted in a flexible and dynamic manner to these changed circumstances. This has involved considerable increased effort to recruit suitable candidates, including but not limited to seeking undergraduate candidates living and studying in Ireland who possess U.S. citizenship status. Through these Work Experience Scholarships, we hope to highlight the excellent educational infrastructure that has been developed throughout the island of Ireland.”

The Council is seeking to connect with more U.S. Companies and Businesses to get involved in the Council Scholarship Program. Through these Student Work Experience Scholarships the Council endeavors to highlight the excellent educational infrastructure that has been developed throughout the island of Ireland.

We encourage new Scholarship & Internship opportunities and would love to hear from you.