Kirkland has found first team opportunities difficult to come by at the Latics since the arrival of Ali Al-Habsi from Bolton and the move will allow him to keep up match fitness.
The former Coventry City and Liverpool goalkeeper has one England cap and Doncaster manager Dean Saunders has challenged the 30 year old to re-create the form that saw him rise to the top.
He said: "It's a great signing for us. To have a goalkeeper of his stature coming to play for us, I couldn't have hoped for anything more."
"I cannot thank Wigan enough for allowing us to do that. Hopefully Chris will get playing for us and get his career back on track.
"He's a top-class goalkeeper and he needs to show everyone. He has a stage at Doncaster to do that."
The formal paperwork has yet to be completed so the move is not 1005 signed off although it is hoped Kirkland will make his debut against Leeds United in front of the Sky cameras on Friday.
