2025 IRC Government of Ireland Postgrad Scholarship Scheme
The 2025 Irish Research Council Government of Ireland (GOI) scheme is currently open with a closing date for applications (to be submitted via the online system) of 4pm Irish time on Thursday 10th October 2024.
Latest FAQs - 19th September
The following should be read in advance of applying:
- IRC 2025 General Application Feedback document for advice on the application process.
- Applicant's guide to the online application system
- Evaluation Criteria: Applicants are assessed under 4 headings - see Appendix 6 of the Call Document - and should familiarise themselves fully with this evaluation criteria before applying: Applicant (40%); Project (40); Training and Career Development (10%); Environment (10%)
Applicants whose Primary Supervisor needs to be added to the online application system should email the Graduate Studies Office at: graduatestudiesoffice@dcu.ie
As part of the application, a Supervisor reference is needed - there are no Referees or Referee submissions.
The name of a Secondary Supervisor can be included by an applicant but this Secondary Supervisor does not need to be registered by DCU in advance. This Secondary Supervisor can also contribute to the Supervisor form.
The TORA submission deadline for supervisors is Thursday 3rd October 2024 - Tora details for Supervisor
What the scholarship offers:
Awardees receive an annual package of up to €31,000 per annum comprising of:
- A scholarship stipend of €22,000 per annum
- Fee contribution of €5,505 (STEM) or €4905 (AHSS) per annum - depending on the HEI
- Research expenses of €3,250 per annum
Deadlines
- Deadline for FAQs -Thursday 3rd October 2024 (4pm Irish time) - send to graduatestudiesoffice@dcu.ie
- Deadline for applications -Thursday 10th October 2024 (4pm Irish time)
- Deadline for supervisor forms -Thursday 17th October 2024 (4pm Irish time)
- Deadline for research office endorsement -Thursday 24th October 2024 (4pm Irish time).
Results are expected to be announced in April 2025. Official start date is 1st September 2025.
Supporting documentation for staff is available on the GSO's Staff Resources page.
Note the following important information:
- GENDER SHOULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED in your application form; any form submitted on your behalf (ie. supervisor form); or on any supplementary materials you decide to upload eg. bibliography. As such, applications must be anonymous and free from pronouns or other words which would identify the applicant’s identity and gender eg. applicants should use ‘the applicant’.
- GANTT charts are not compulsory and applicants can submit their application without including one.
- The name of the Primary Supervisor you use in the eligibility quiz and the online application must be exactly the same. Also, you must include a Primary Supervisor at Eligibility Quiz stage - ie. you can't leave this blank.
- Primary Supervisors cannot create or submit their reference form until after the applicant has submitted their application.
- Applications are accepted in any discipline from new entrants and continuing research students.
- For supporting information on the call email graduatestudiesoffice@dcu.ie
Strategic funding partners
Applicants can only apply under one 'theme' ie. under the main GOI call or under a Strategic Funding Partner (SFP). Those who apply under a SFP will also have their application considered for a GOI award.
2025 Strategic Funding Partner awards:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Met Éireann
- Department of Foreign Affairs
Advice for applicants (from IRC Call Document)
- Pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of research or those introducing creative, innovative approaches are welcomed
- Proposals of an interdisciplinary nature are also encouraged as it is recognised that advancing fundamental understanding is achieved by integrating information, techniques, tools and perspectives from two or more disciplines
- Appendix 5 of the Call Document includes Guidance on the Sex/Gender Dimension Statement
To confirm:
Applicants to the GOI scheme will have a Primary Supervisor (and can add one Secondary Supervisor). The Secondary Supervisor does not need to be registered on the Smartsimple system. There are no Referees in the 2025 call.