University of Galway has announced new international opportunities for research students as part of the ENLIGHT University Alliance.  

The initiative has been unveiled at the mid-year meeting of ENLIGHT, when the alliance of 10 universities in 10 European countries comes together to review the partnership and plan how to build on achievements. 

The 2026 gathering has been hosted this week at University of Galway with discussions on education, research collaboration, future development and priorities and securing further support.  

Over the course of the three-day meeting, delegations discussed innovative education, research collaboration and how to build a sustainable and lasting alliance that will continue to help shape the future of European higher education. 

University of Galway also announces a key milestone with the signing of a Joint PhD agreement by the presidents of the ENLIGHT universities, creating new opportunities for students to gain international experience throughout their research journeys. 

University of Galway President Professor David Burn said: “ENLIGHT has been a hugely positive initiative for University of Galway and has grown strongly over the past few years. Our engagement with ENLIGHT partners supports our strategic ambitions in both education and research, while creating valuable international opportunities for our staff and students. 

“The discussions in Galway have reinforced the strength of the alliance and the shared commitment across our partner universities to deepen collaboration even further. We are excited about the opportunities ENLIGHT will continue to create for our university community.” 

The ENLIGHT alliance is part of the European University Initiative, a flagship programme of the European Commission’s strategy for universities. 

In 2023, the European Commission announced a four-year €14.4 million investment in ENLIGHT, supporting continued academic collaboration across the alliance. University of Galway’s involvement in the European University Alliance is also supported nationally by the Higher Education Authority. 

Since 2020, ENLIGHT has created more than 100 funded projects, initiatives and networks, while engaging more than 2,500 academics through its Thematic Networks and Incubator Grants. These activities have helped to seed interdisciplinary collaboration across the partner institutions and lay the foundations for long-term cooperation and innovation. 

University of Galway is involved in more than 50 of these collaborative projects with ENLIGHT partners, helping to develop new education offerings and strengthen research connections across the alliance. 

ENLIGHT also received a strongly positive mid-term review from the European Commission in March, with the alliance recognised for the strong foundations it has built, including its governance structures and its growing integration of education, research and societal engagement.  

ENLIGHT places a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for early career researchers and expanding mobility opportunities for staff and students. The alliance is also an important enabler of University of Galway’s strategic ambitions, with the ENLIGHT flagships aligning closely with the University’s strategic priorities. 

Ends