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Sixteen student places are being made available at University of Galway under the University of Sanctuary Scholarship programme as part of events to mark World Refugee Day.  The Scholarship has welcomed 71 students from 24 different countries to the University since applications first opened in 2019. The programme is open to International Protection applicants, refugees, vulnerable immigrant groups and Irish Travellers.   For the 2025-26 academic year, applications for undergraduate and postgraduate study under University of Sanctuary Scholarships are open from today - Friday June 20th.  The announcement is being made on World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to express solidarity with refugees around the globe and to highlight the strength and courage of those forced to flee their home countries.  A series of events are being hosted at University of Galway to mark the day, which is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Vice-President for Equality Diversity and Inclusion and the Access Centre. Among them is a campus tour for 50 pupils from the Galway Educate Together National School as part of the Schools of Sanctuary Programme. The school children will also take part in an interactive workshop led by current scholars in the University of Sanctuary programme which is designed to foster a sense of community and empathy and to ensure Ireland remains a welcoming place for all, given the country’s history of forced migration, famine and civil war.   The United Nations flag will fly at the Quadrangle, reaffirming the University’s commitment to offering sanctuary for those fleeing their homeland or facing discrimination in Ireland, such as Irish Travellers.  A panel discussion to mark the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum and the Gender Recognition Act will take place, bringing together voices from advocacy, research, legal practice, and lived experience. The event will focus on recent developments in Europe and the US relating to transgender rights and their implications for those seeking International Protection in Ireland.   Dr Helen Maher, Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Galway, said: “The University of Sanctuary Scholarships reflect the University’s new Strategic Plan 2025-2030 - Of Galway, For the World - placing a strong emphasis on the mission to foster a diverse and inclusive academic environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported and, with the University’s reaccreditation as a designated University of Sanctuary later this year, such supports, and solidarity can offer hope and a future for students facing discrimination and fleeing persecution.”  Aidan Harte, University of Sanctuary Officer, University of Galway, said: “World Refugee Day provides an opportunity for the University community to express solidarity with everyone seeking Sanctuary around the world. Welcoming Galway Educate Together National School pupils on campus to meet with Sanctuary scholars was a truly impactful opportunity to link our surrounding communities with life on campus. The fourth-class students took part in a workshop around the theme of welcoming and Inclusion and spoke about how they would welcome new people into their communities.  “Such opportunities reflect the University's commitment to providing invaluable opportunities to attend university under the University of Sanctuary Scholarship Programme."   Scholarship applications will close at 12pm on Friday July 11th.  Applications can be made here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/sanctuary/scholarships/  Ends