April New Ireland Scholarship Program to Help Grow Health Care Workforce

NUI Galway and other universities to administer scholarships and support services to eligible students 

The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of Optum Ireland’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has announced a new scholarship program designed to grow the health care workforce in Ireland. The program is focused on underserved students seeking degrees in primary or specialised care, or emerging health care technologies. The Ireland Health Care Scholarship Program builds on the success of the pilot program started by Optum Ireland in 2018.

“As a partner institution, NUI Galway has been involved in delivering the scholarship program since 2018,” said Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Deputy President and Registrar of NUI Galway. “The benefits of the program are clear. The program is widening access to students by alleviating financial pressure on the scholars and their families and through the provision of support services. There are currently 7 health care scholars from Donegal studying healthcare and innovative technology programs in NUI Galway. We are delighted to renew the partnership with Optum Ireland and the United Health Foundation in 2022.”

According to the Irish College of General Practitioners, nearly 15% of the current general practitioners are expected to retire in the next five years. Due to the national shortage, the medical community has expressed urgency in recruiting and training additional medical practitioners. The scholarship program developed to address the shortage includes partnerships with the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Ulster University, National University of Ireland, Galway, and Queen’s University Belfast.

“The United Health Foundation is committed to helping cultivate a modern, diverse health workforce in Ireland,” said Padraig Monaghan, Managing Director of Optum Ireland and UK. “We are honoured to continue this scholarship program with NUI Galway.”

More than €350,000 will support 31 students across the five academic partners. All scholarship students will be paired with a mentor and will participate in community volunteer activities. The Ireland Health Care Scholarship Program for 2022-23 is open for applications, with application forms available on each of the partnering university websites. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 27, 2022.

"This scholarship is of real benefit as I am able to study away from home and it has taken a lot of undue pressure away from myself and my family. Just knowing that I have that security over the next few years has been massive for me. I can focus on my studies and get the most out of my college experience,” said Halim Egberongbe, an Ireland Health Care scholar in his first year studying biotechnology at NUI Galway.

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