Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates proposing full-time PhD research in any discipline. The programme supports both fundamental and applied research and welcomes ambitious, innovative, and PhD researcher-led projects that advance knowledge while contributing to UCC’s strategic research priorities.
The UCC Futures Scholars Programme (GoI) is UCC’s flagship institutional doctoral scholarship programme, supported through the Research Ireland Empower programme. It provides a strategic mechanism through which the University can recruit outstanding doctoral researchers, strengthen research capacity across all disciplines, and develop the next generation of research leaders. The programme is managed by the UCC Doctoral Institute and delivered through a university-wide partnership involving the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Colleges, Schools, Research Institutes, and professional services teams across UCC. Successful applicants funded through this programme will be recognised as Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship holders.
The programme reflects UCC’s commitment to building a sustainable and diverse doctoral research talent pipeline aligned with the University’s Research & Innovation Strategy and the UCC Futures Framework. Through targeted investment in doctoral research, it supports areas of established and emerging research strength, enhances supervisory capacity, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributes to an excellent and inclusive research culture.
Key features of the programme include:
- Prestigious doctoral scholarships awarded on a competitive basis in the name of the applicant.
- The opportunity for PhD scholars to lead and shape their own research project, supported by an academic supervisory team at UCC.
- An objective and transparent selection process informed by independent expert peer review.
- Funding opportunities across all disciplines and research areas.
- Support for investigator-led, bottom-up research aligned with UCC’s strategic research and innovation priorities.
Benefits
The UCC Futures Scholars Programme (GoI) provides competitive doctoral scholarships to support outstanding candidates undertaking full-time doctoral research at UCC across all disciplines.
Scholarships are available to both new entrants on eligible structured doctoral programmes and, for the pilot 2027 call only, applicants who registered for the first year of their doctoral degree on or after 01 September 2026. The duration of funding ranges from three to four years, depending on the applicant’s stage of study at the time of application. Further details on eligibility are provided in Section 7.
The value of the scholarship comprises the following budget items:
- An annual stipend of €25,000.
- A contribution towards tuition fees of up to €5,750 per annum. UCC will waive any non-EU fee component not covered by the scholarship award.
- A contribution of at least €5,000 per annum will be provided towards eligible direct research costs associated with the project. Eligible direct research costs may include research consumables, specialist training, conference attendance, fieldwork, travel, and other approved research-related expenses, in accordance with the Research Ireland Grant Conditions (including the General Terms and Conditions and Letters of Offer) and all applicable UCC research post-award management policies.
- Subject to funding availability, awardees may apply for additional eligible direct research costs beyond the annual allocation where justified by the needs of the research project. Applications for additional funding will be considered by the UCC Futures Scholars Board, administered by the Doctoral Institute, in accordance with an approved application, review, and governance process.
The scholarship grant must be accepted in full, including all three budget headings listed above. Applicants are not permitted to apply for or accept funding for only one or two of the budget headings. Partial acceptance of the grant is not allowed under any circumstances.
Duration of the Scholarship
The duration of a GoI-UCC Futures Scholars Programme award is determined by the applicant’s stage of doctoral study at the time of application.
New Entrants
Applicants who have not yet commenced the doctoral programme for which funding is sought are eligible to apply for up to four years of funding, subject to successful registration and continued progression in accordance with UCC regulations.
Current First-Year Doctoral Candidates
Applicants who have already commenced their doctoral programme may apply, provided they have registered for the first year of their doctoral degree on or after 01 September 2026.
For the pilot 2027 intake, applicants must have first registered for the first year of their doctoral programme between 01 September 2026 and 31 August 2027, consistent with UCC doctoral registration regulations. Eligible applicants within this category may receive up to three years of funding. Applicants whose first registration date precedes 01 September 2026 are not eligible unless an approved leave of absence applies.
Leave of Absence Provisions
Applicants who have taken an approved leave of absence may be eligible where, after accounting for the leave period, they remain within their first year of doctoral registration at the award start date on 01 October 2027.
Requirements
Eligibility of the Applicant (PhD Scholar)
Eligibility Criteria for the Lead Supervisor
Selection Process
Key Dates
| Call Launch | 02 November 2026 |
| Programme Information Session | Watch Recording |
| Pure Platform Information Session | 02 December 2026 (Time TBC) |
| Application Deadline | 5pm on 11 December 2026 |
| Online Interviews for Shortlisted Applicants | 09-12 February 2027 |
| Offers Issued | End of February 2027 |
| Student Registration | October 2027 |
Method of Application
All queries can be directed to uccempowerapplications@ucc.ie
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webapge
Application Deadline: December 11, 2026.
