Students Urged To Consider Cross-Border Scholarships

Universities Ireland, which  promotes collaboration between  universities in Northern Ireland  and the Republic of Ireland, and  the Electricity Supply Board  (ESB), the largest energy  company on the island of Ireland,  are offering five scholarships to  students undertaking a  recognised Master’s or the first  year of a PhD programme (taught  or research) in the other Irish  jurisdiction. Dublin Institute of  Technology is also a partner in  this scheme, which has been  running since 2005.  These scholarships are worth  E15,000 each. This year, three of  the scholarships will be in the  areas of energy and engineering,  and will be co-sponsored by  Universities Ireland and ESB.  These scholarships must be  taken up for the academic year  2012-2013.  The aim of this scheme is to  encourage outstanding students  from the Republic of Ireland and  Northern Ireland to cross the  border to undertake postgraduate  study and experience life in  another part of the island of  Ireland.  Because it is 50% sponsored by  ESB, there is a particular  emphasis on the areas of energy  and engineering, and the scheme  aims to help build all-island  innovation in STEM subjects  (science, technology, engineering  and mathematics) which will be  crucial in moving the island  towards the kind of sustainable  knowledge society that is vital  both for its future prosperity and  environmental sustainability.  It is thus a scheme which has  been conceived both to support  the continuing peace process in  Northern Ireland and to train  highly skilled postgraduates to  contribute to a new phase of  economic and environmental  development for the island as a  whole.

The closing date for applications  for this scholarship scheme is  Friday 25th May 2012. For further  information, visit the website at  www.universitiesireland.ie