The Government is to fund two academics to study conflict resolution each year.
The postgraduate scholarships can make a unique contribution to study of the issue internationally, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern.
The programme, which was promised in the Programme for Government, will be run in partnership with the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Conflict Resolution Unit of the Foreign Affairs Department already helps peace efforts in conflict-torn areas. "Irish academia also has an important role to play in supporting the resolution of conflicts internationally," said Mr Ahern.
The programme will fund two researchers every year to undertake research work in the area of conflict resolution leading to the award of PhD degrees.
Details of the scheme and application forms are available on the Foreign Affairs Department's website. Work will continue in 2008 on the establishment of the Academic Centre for Conflict Resolution.
"The scheme will over time help build up Ireland's capacity to support the resolution of conflicts around the globe. This will add an important new dimension to our foreign policy activities," the minister added.
The Department's Conflict Resolution Unit oversees funding and also sends roving ambassadors to crisis regions.
PA