Coillte has pushed back the application deadline for its 2026 Forestry Scholarship to Monday 6 July 2026, following feedback from partners across the forestry and education sectors. The new date coincides with the CAO Change of Mind submission window, when many students finalise their course preferences after the Leaving Certificate.

Now in its third year, the Coillte Forestry Scholarship Programme provides financial support worth up to €20,000 per recipient across their degree, along with paid summer placements and potential career pathways with Coillte. The initiative was created to help meet Ireland's need for more skilled forestry professionals to advance climate action, sustainable timber supply, biodiversity restoration and rural economic development in line with Ireland's Forest Strategy.

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The programme supports students enrolling in full-time undergraduate forestry degrees at University College Dublin (UCD) or South East Technological University (SETU) from September 2026. It offers €5,000 per year for the duration of the degree, a paid summer placement with Coillte, and consideration for future job opportunities upon successful completion.

Speaking about the decision to extend the deadline, Mark Carlin, Managing Director, Coillte Forest said: "We know that for many students, the period immediately after the Leaving Certificate is when CAO choices come into sharper focus. By aligning the scholarship deadline with that decision making window, we want to ensure students are considering forestry at the point when course choices are being actively reviewed.

"This extension is informed by feedback from our scholars as well aseducation and sector partners. The extension reflects our shared aim to attract the widest possible pool of talent into forestry."

Since its launch in January 2024, six students have been awarded scholarships, strengthening the sector's future talent pipeline. In 2025, applications rose by 25% year on year, signalling growing interest in both the scholarship and forestry careers.

Applications for the 2026 Coillte Forestry Scholarship Programme are open until Monday 6 July 2026. Full details and application forms are available at www.coillte.ie/careers.