Some 150 EU and international researchers are to receive €10.8m in funding from the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) under the organisation’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme 2008.
The scheme supports new doctoral and master’s level researchers in science, engineering and technology. The funding will go to 135 successful EU candidates and 15 to non-EU candidates.
The Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme is targeted at developing the country’s international reputation as an important location in which to carry out world-class research, so that Ireland retains and attracts the highest-level R&D capabilities for the future. The call is open to applicants worldwide, who must carry out their work in Ireland.
IRCSET will be announcing an Enterprise Partnership Scholarship Scheme in the coming weeks to complement the Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme and the Embark Initiative Scholarship Scheme.
“If we are to ensure that we do not lose out to other international research centres, we must retain the talent and creativity of Ireland’s research community,” said Prof Jane Grimson, chair of IRCSET. “This round of funding will contribute to the ongoing development of a supportive infrastructure underpinning Irish-based research that will attract and encourage researchers to remain in Ireland within their chosen fields.”
All students graduating with higher honours in science, engineering and technology from recognised third-level institutions are eligible to apply for funding under the Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme.
By Niall Byrne
