1. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Research funding and PhD opportunities Dr Andrea Valova Graduate Studies Office andrea.valova@nuim.ie

2. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Introduction Postgraduate qualifications valued by employers in both private and public sector Where to begin? Supervisor Programme Funding - Apply for all relevant awards, big and small! PhD as a route to what? Academia? ~20% of PhDs only Publications: Where? Conferences: Which ones? What form of participation ? Funding? What are my funding options? Personal scholarships / Project funded scholarships Internal / External

3. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Postgraduate Research Programmes at NUIM Key characteristics of structured PhD programmes Core: advancement of knowledge through original research Integrated support for professional development Student-centric programmes - tailored to suit individual students Arrangements for supervision Regular monitoring of progress Departments have developed their own unique Structured PhD/Research Masters programmes, with a minimum /maximum amount of credits The following types of Research Modules are available under the Structured PhD programme: Subject Specific Modules /Advanced Specialist Modules Generic Skills Modules /Transferable Modules In addition to modules available at NUIM, students can take modules at other HEIs

4. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Modules Explained Subject Specific /Advanced Specialist Modules Subject Specific Modules These include Master’s level taught modules in the discipline area or in a cognate discipline area Advanced Specialist Modules These include advanced specialist doctorate level courses provided by Department/Research Institute/other Irish or international 4th Level institution. Students from other departments may register for these modules. http://www.nuim.ie/courses/ Generic Skills / Transferable Skills Modules Generic Skills Modules These include modules on research skills and awareness; ethics and understanding; communication skills; personal effectiveness/development; teamwork and leadership; career management and networking; entrepreneurship and innovation. http://graduatestudies.nuim.ie/prospectivepostgrads/researchdegrees/structuredresearchprogrammesa ndgenericskills/genericskills Transferable Skills Modules These include modules offered in disciplines other than the one in which you are registered. At the moment they are offered by disciplines such as languages; computer science; business and law; statistics; maths or from other disciplines that would enhance the student’s skills development.

5. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Funding Options Personal scholarships Scholarship awarded to an individual directly by a funding agency/sponsor. Student applies to the body which provides funding and funding body decides. Graduate Studies Office provides support at all stages: application, award acceptance, stipend processing, budget management… Examples: NUIM John & Pat Hume Scholarship, Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship, NUI Travelling Studentship… Project funded scholarships Larger grants provided by various funding agencies to individual researchers/University can include stipend for research students. The supervisor/department/University selects whom to award the scholarship – not the funding body. Research Administration Office is in charge of paperwork and budget management. Examples: EU FP7/Horizon 2020 awards, HEA institutional awards…

6. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 NUIM John & Pat Hume Scholarships 2013-14 Terms & Conditions: Applicants with 1 st class honours/2.1 with 1 st in relevant discipline, intending to pursue a PhD programme (can start as Research Masters), if in Faculty of Science & Engineering: 2.1 with first in final year research project also qualifies Value: Fees + €5k stipend, some departments can award additional €3k for University related activities (demonstrations, tutorials etc.) Duration up to 4 years, subject to satisfactory progress 2014-15 call expected in March, application deadline early May Existing postgraduate research students ineligible for the current degree To date: scholarships available in each department/Institute

7. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Irish Research Council www.research.ie Created in 2012 following merge of the Irish Research Council for Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences Postgraduate schemes open to all disciplines Duration up to 2 years for structured Research Masters and up to 4 years for structured PhD One start date – Oct 2014 2 attempts only Current students eligible (except for Employment Based scheme) Maximum value of award €24k per year (€16k stipend, fees up to €5,750 per year, optional research expenses allowance up to €2,750 per year)

8. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Irish Research Council – overview of schemes

9. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Enterprise Partnership Scheme Any discipline Enterprise Partners already participating listed at IRC’s website but scheme open to new Partners IPR agreement must be signed before funding can commence Flexibility regarding Enterprise Partner’s involvement in the project & fellow’s placement with Partner

10. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Employment Based Postgraduate Research Scheme Any discipline Scheme piloted in 2012, call expected in 2014 Student must be employed for the duration of the Research Masters/PhD by the partner, minimum salary €24k per year Student must spent 50% - 70% of their time at the partner IRC contributes €16k towards salary costs + €8k for fees and research related costs IPR agreement must be signed before funding can commence

11. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Applying for IRC scholarship At least 2.1 at undergrad level (Masters can be considered) Online application system: Smart & Simple Justification of research expenses required Budget must be used as awarded NUIM procurement rules apply to externally funded students – implications for costing Ethical statement Note internal pre-application requirement and application deadline to be published by Graduate Studies Office following launch of the call Workshop for applicants

12. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 NUI Awards (2013-14 situation) Postgraduate Travelling Studentships NUI graduates only eligible Enable students to undertake postgraduate research abroad towards a doctoral degree – either registered abroad OR in Ireland with substantial period(s) of research abroad Up to 4 years - €16,000 per year 2013 deadline late March/early April To be confirmed for 2014 http://www.nui.ie/awards/postgraduates.asp

13. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Other funding opportunities NUIM Graduate Studies website: graduatestudies.nuim.ie EU research grants funded positions: ec.europa.eu/euraxess www.ResearchProfessional.com Various funding opportunities including for postgrads Campus access

14. GRADUATE SCHOOL July 2013 Contact andrea.valova@nuim.ie Graduate Studies Office John Hume Building 3 rd Floor Tel. 01-708 6605