DCU graduates wait to collect their degree certificates. Credit: Kyran O'Brien

DCU Access to offer first PhD scholarship following donation

05/04/2023

DCU is accepting applications for a fully funded four year PhD with a €19,000 annual stipend. This is the first time the service has offered support at PhD level.

The Access service is in a position to offer the scholarship following a donation to the university’s Educational Trust. DCU Access has previously provided financial support to Bachelor's and Master's students.

The scholarship is open to graduates who have participated in the Access programme, as well as current participants in their final year of study. The panel is also accepting applications in any subject.

Colette Keogh, Senior Access Officer at DCU's Access Service said

"We are delighted that, with the generous support of donors through the DCU Educational Trust, we can now provide financial support to DCU Access graduates who are undertaking studies at PhD level."

There will be two stages to the application process, with candidates invited to submit applications directly to Vice President for Research, Professor John Doyle for initial shortlisting.

The announcement come's ahead of the university's new five year strategic plan which targets a 50% increase in the number of PhD candidates studying at DCU.

Prof John Doyle, Vice President for Research, said

"DCU has clear ambitions within the new strategic plan to grow our Doctoral student community. We also want it to be a diverse community which reflects the best talent from Ireland and abroad. With this in mind, broadening the well established DCU Access programme to include PhDs is an important contribution to the university’s goals."

The deadline for the first round of applications is 5th May. Applicants should submit a one-page personal statement, a C.V. with contact details for two referees, grades from their Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and a 2000 word research proposal to vpr@dcu.ie

Following a shortlisting and interview stage in May, the successful candidate will apply formally through the university system.

The DCU Access Service is the largest and longest running programme of its kind in Ireland. It has enabled thousands of students from underrepresented backgrounds to access third level education at DCU since its establishment in 1989.