Summer Research in Ireland

Limerick is the 3rd largest city in Ireland and boasts a rich history complete with a Norman castle, Georgian buildings, and an active music and performing arts scene. Sporting enthusiasts can participate in or attend games for a wide range of sports and Gaelic games, including hurling, football, and rugby.

You will study at the University of Limerick, located 5 kilometers outside of town and spanning two banks of the River Shannon. The University is one of Ireland’s most beautiful campuses, with innovative academics, state-of-the-art sports facilities, and vibrant campus life. Known as a technological powerhouse in Ireland, the University of Limerick works closely with the nearby National Technology Park of Ireland.

Spend your summer participating in an ongoing research project with University of Limerick faculty and graduate students, learning about research methodology, and exploring Irish history and culture through a number of program excursions. Links to the list of available research projects will be posted on the "Academics" tab.

Live in student housing at the University of Limerick. You will live in en suite single rooms in an apartment-style on-campus student residence. Includes a meal plan of three meals per day, Monday–Friday. No meals provided on Saturday/Sunday.

Excursions are being planned for a long weekend in Dublin, to the Cliffs of Moher, and several sites around Limerick.

You are responsible for booking your own flight. Specific arrival instructions will be sent out prior to your departure.

For immigration purposes, you should purchase a round-trip ticket, since you must be able to show your entry and exit dates from Ireland.

This course meets 5 of the University of Minnesota's 7 Student Learning Outcomes by helping you to:

• Identify, define, and solve problems by choosing a topic from a list of ongoing research topics at the University of Limerick
• Work 1:1 or in a small research team managed by a professor or graduate researcher at the University of Limerick
• Locate and critically evaluate information by conducting primary and secondary research
• Communicate effectively by the writing and public presentation of ideas
• Acquire skills for effective citizenship and life-long learning by learning how to define and complete a short-term research goal in the context of a large-scale, long-term project
• Consider practical and ethical issues around the conducting of research in a foreign country
• Engage positively with and reflect upon the culture and values of a foreign country

The courses on this program will be co-taught by UofM Professor Joseph Gerteis, and staff and faculty at the University of Limerick. Discipline specific mentors will also work closely with you throughout the program.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026

Program Confirmation Deadline: March 1, 2026

Program Dates: May 27–July 22, 2026

There will be one or two on-campus/virtual class meetings before the program start date.

Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, airport transfers, in-country program related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. You must also budget for your flight, visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included in the program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

• Application Essay

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Application Review Process