Sport and the Community

Fourteen individuals (seven from Ireland and seven from Northern Ireland) from key sporting organizations and relevant government bodies in both jurisdictions (such as the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, the Irish Sports Council, the Football Association of Ireland, the Irish Rugby Football Union, the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the Irish Football Association) to take part in a focused study visit on sport and the community. While in the United States participants will visit amateur, professional, and community sporting organizations that have successfully built social capital through sport. Particular emphasis will be placed on community building, fundraising, educational outreach, and philanthropy.  The programme is sponsored by the Irish Institute at the Centre for Irish Programmes, Boston College, and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. All programme-related costs including travel, accommodation, tuition, and the majority of meals are provided. The programme is not open to U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, or past participants of U.S. Government-funded Irish Institute programmes. Short-listed applicants must be available for interview either 14^th October in Dublin or 15^th October in Belfast. Please note that the programme is by necessity highly selective, and that consequently, not all applicants will be interviewed and not all interviewees will be invited to participate.

To download a copy of the advertisement for this program, click here. 

To Apply: The application deadline has now passed. We are no longer accepting applications.