Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2017

The aim of the scholarship

The aim of the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, hereinafter referred to as the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, is to support suitably qualified research master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing, or intending to pursue, full-time research in any discipline.
A number of other national organisations partner with the Council and support the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship scheme as a mechanism to deliver on our shared national objectives. The Council’s strategic funding partners for 2017 are:

The Conflict Resolution Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in partnership with the Council, will fund research to examine areas relevant to the work of the Conflict Resolution Unit, as outlined in Appendix 1. Scholars under this theme will hold an Andrew Grene Postgraduate Scholarship in Conflict Resolution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Council, will fund research under the ‘EPA Research Programme (2014– 2020)’ pillars of Climate, Water and Sustainability, as outlined in Appendix 2. Scholars under this theme will hold an Environment Protection Agency Postgraduate Scholarship, hereinafter referred to as an EPA Postgraduate Scholarship.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), in partnership with the Council, will fund research directly related to ‘Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014–2020). Scholars under this theme will hold a Department of Children and Youth Affairs Growing Up in Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, hereinafter referred to as a DCYA Growing Up in Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship. Please note that applicants to this theme may only apply for a traditional or structured doctoral degree.

Scholarship types and duration of funding available 

All scholarships must commence on 1 October 2017.

A scholar who is a new entrant to the postgraduate degree for which the Council has awarded funding is entitled to funding for the full duration of the degree subject to these Terms and Conditions. For scholars who have already completed part of the postgraduate degree for which they have been awarded Council funding, the duration of funding to be awarded is dependent on the type of postgraduate degree being pursued and the date of first registration.

The scholarship is not intended to substitute or augment funds available under programmatic research actions. A scholar who is already registered for one of the degrees listed in the table on page 5 is not eligible for funding except for scholars falling within Clauses:

• a scholar who has completed part of the degree on the basis of being self-funded
• a scholar who has completed part of the degree on the basis of being in receipt of a Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant
• a scholar who has completed part of the degree on the basis of being in receipt of a HEI-funded bursary or scholarship
• a scholar who has completed part of the degree on the basis of being in receipt of a Central Remedial Clinic Ciaran Barry Graduate Scholarship

It is only permissible for any unspent balance of eligible direct research expenses to be carried over from the previous year of the scholarship. Apart from this exception, funds may not be carried forward from one year to the next.

No funds provided by the Council as part of the scholarship fund may be used by the HEI to cover overhead or administrative costs.

Funding will only be provided for the research project as presented in the application. If it is proposed to make any significant departures from the research project during the funding term, the consent of the Council must be sought in advance. Proposals for changes in research project will be independently peer-reviewed and the Council’s decision on whether to approve the proposed change(s) will be final.

Expenses that occur outside the funding term are not eligible under the scholarship.

While the award is made to the individual scholar, the scholarship fund is administered through the appropriate office within the HEI.

Location of scholarship

• Scholarships must be held at an eligible HEI
• Scholars must maintain an actual presence within their respective departments/schools throughout their scholarship and reside within a reasonable travelling distance of the HEI.
• The Council requires scholars and academic supervisors to have regular contact. Academic supervisors must be based at the same HEI as the scholar.
• the Council recognises that the scholars may benefit from spending part of the scholarship away from their HEI. Such periods may involve:
  
  
  • attending courses which are relevant to the scholar’s training. The Council will not normally sanction such courses longer than one academic term in duration and will not be liable for paying any additional fees or expenses associated with such courses;
  • spending part of the academic year engaged in research in Ireland or abroad in an organisation other than the HEI.
    
    
• In order to take up such an opportunity of more than four weeks’ duration, the scholar must apply in advance to the Council for permission and include the written support of their academic supervisor. A template will be available for this purpose. The Council will not be liable for any additional fees or expenses arising other than those detailed in the original application. Information regarding any research-related trips must be documented as part of the required progress reporting.
• While the Council expects scholars to complete their research at the HEI as originally proposed in their application, the Council recognises that exceptional circumstances may call for a change of location or of academic supervisor. In these cases, the scholar and proposed new academic supervisor and/or HEI (department/school), must write to the Council stating the case for the change. The Council will examine the submission on its merits and respond with a decision on whether funding will continue in the new circumstances.

For more information click "Further official information" below.