Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology

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Irish Research Council for Science Engineering
and Technology

• Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme
• Closing Date for all applications will be 5.00
  pm, 25th February 2009
• Lucy Wallis
• Senior Executive Assistant, Office of Vice
  President for Research

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Call for PG Applicants 2009

• Students in all areas of Science, Engineering and
  Technology are eligible and an international
  panel will be used to select the candidates for
  the Scholarships
• The scheme is open to candidates worldwide with a
  small number of the scholarships available to
  exceptional candidates from non EU member states
• Enterprise Partnership Scheme
• The Enterprise Partnership Scheme allows scholars
  to be co-funded by both IRCSET and an Enterprise
  Partner

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Overview of IRCSET Scholarship

• Under the Postgraduate Research Scholarship
  Scheme, funding of 24,003 is provided for each
  of three years for Doctorate level research
  (total funding of 72,009) and one year (24,003)
  for Masters level research.
• Of the 24,003 maximum per annum available to
  Masters and Doctorate students, 16,002 goes
  directly to the student with the remainder
  available to fund other forms of support such as
  fees and support for the research to be carried
  out.
• In the case of non EU scholars the scholarship
  will include full non EU fees

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Terms and Conditions

• This Scheme will offer opportunities to pursue a
  postgraduate degree by research
• i.e. a PhD or Masters by Research
• Restricted to citizens of the European Union (EU)
  who are ordinarily resident within a member state
  of the EU
• A small number of awards will be available to
  exceptional candidates from non EU member states
• Applicants must normally have a first or upper
  second class honours primary degree, or the
  equivalent.
• The competition is open to those
• proposing to commence their first postgraduate
  research degree during 2009
• who have been awarded a masters degree by
  research and wish to apply for funding in order
  to pursue a PhD
• who are transferring from masters to the PhD and
  who wish to apply for funding to support the
  remainder of their postgraduate research. The
  Transfer report must have been submitted to the
  institution no earlier than the 20 August 2008.
• Applicants must
• be formally accepted by the relevant department /
  school for the award to commence.
• Each candidate may submit only one application.

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Terms and Conditions

• full-time students who will engage fulltime in
  research
• The duration of the award
• three years for a PhD
• One year for an MSc (by research)
• May be extended into an additional year for a
  specific period of months
• MSc recipients will be encouraged to continue to
  a PhD
• providing always that the total funded period,
  including any extensions granted, does not exceed
  4 years.

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Terms and Conditions

• Examination results (endorsed by the authorised
  contact at the Research Body UCCs Exams
  Office, West Wing) must correspond to those on
  official transcripts.
• All transcripts must be appropriately stamped or
  endorsed confirming that they are official
  documents of the institution.
• Heads of Department (or a nominee) must be able
  to see the transcripts to confirm their validity
  as they will be providing institutional sign-off
• Especially important if the student is not in
  UCC.
• Applicants must ensure that two references are
  submitted which support their application.
• One reference should be completed by the proposed
  research supervisor.
• The second reference should be completed by a
  senior research figure in the research domain
  covered by the application.
• Both referees will be contacted via the email
  address provided for them by the applicant on the
  online application form and supplied with a pin
  number in order that they may complete their
  reference forms online.
• All such references shall be authenticated by the
  submission of a signed copy to IRCSET by letter
  post.
• All references should reach ICRSET by the closing
  date.

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IRCSET/ Enterprise Partnership Scheme

• Scholarships jointly funded by IRCSET and
  interested partner Enterprises
• The Enterprise partner will indicate to IRCSET
  the research work which is of interest to them
• IRCSET carry outs the selection of candidates and
  rank them in order of merit and relevance
• In respect of the Enterprise Partnership Scheme,
  IRCSET and its enterprise partners may also
  choose candidates based on criteria relevant to
  their particular sector of research

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IRCSET/ Enterprise Partnership Scheme

• The researcher conducts their research work at
  UCC
• Placements are encouraged, where feasible
• Company may become part of the supervisory team

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Applications are made via an online
system. Guidelines for applying online can be
downloaded from the IRCSET website www.ircset.ie
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Grantsmanship Tips

• Read the call for proposals the terms
  conditions and any other relevant documentation
• Make an outline to ensure application follows
  agency instructions meticulously and includes the
  information requested by the agency
• Check the outline to ensure it flows
• Ensure your writing is accurate, clear, brief
• Clarity Do not overcomplicate proposal
• Give your proposal to 3 people to review
• Someone who understands your specific research -
  accuracy
• Someone who is not in your specific research area
  - clarity
• Someone who can edit

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Know the Call

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the call
• Success vs. Failure marginal
• Answer the Funding Call

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Know Evaluation Criteria

• Same advice as for an exam
• Answer all the questions

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Golden Rules for Evaluators

• Academic Qualifications (Maximum 30 points)
• Personal Statement
• (Maximum 30 points)
• Project Proposal
• (Maximum 10 points)
• Supervisors/Referees Report
• (Maximum 30 points)

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Dont Trip on the Small Things

• Capture interest with good synopsis
• Be clear make every word count Make sure that
  you give every aspect requested attention i.e.
  describe clearly
• Clearly read the terms conditions the
  application form give the reviewers what is
  asked for !!
• Write clearly - dont be too clever
• Good structure
• Good ideas
• Ensure your proposal looks professional
• Proof-read proposal
• Edit for silly mistakes and contradictions

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Contacts

• Dr David OConnell
• Research Projects Officer
• Ms Lucy Wallis
• Senior Executive Assistant
• Telephone
• Ext. 1896 or 5121
• E-mails
• l.wallis_at_ucc.ie
• d.oconnell_at_ucc.ie
• Office of Vice President for Research
• Stone Corridor (North Wing, Quadrangle)