The UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 is a four-year funded PhD award from the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) at University College Dublin, offered for September 2027 entry. It covers full tuition fees for both EU and non-EU students and adds a living stipend of €25,000 per year for up to four years. Applications are accepted online only, and the window closes on 15 January 2027 at 5pm Dublin time.
Complete guide to the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027, covering the award overview, benefits and funding, eligibility criteria, important dates and deadline, documents required, step-by-step application process, selection process, official links and FAQs.
Quick Highlights of the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027
Parameter
Details
Organization
University College Dublin (UCD) School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)
About University College Dublin (UCD) School of Politics and International Relations
The scholarship is administered by the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) and supports doctoral research aligned with the School's programmes and supervisor expertise.
Area
Details
Award name
Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027
Administering body
UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)
Supported route 1
PhD in Politics and International Relations
Supported route 2
PhD in Quantitative and Computational Social Science, only where the proposed supervisor is based in SPIRe
Entry point
September 2027
Duration
Up to four years of full-time doctoral study
Funding package
Full fees (EU and Non-EU) plus living stipend of €25,000 per year for up to four years
Official source
ucd.ie
Key Responsibilities
Responsibility
Details
Doctoral research
Undertake full-time PhD study in Politics and International Relations, or in Quantitative and Computational Social Science with a supervisor based in SPIRe
Research proposal development
Submit a thesis proposal of 1,500-2,000 words maximum (excluding bibliography) covering title, research question, literature review, theoretical approaches and methodology
Supervisory fit
Secure academic interest from colleagues in SPIRe, since longlisted proposals are shared internally for expressions of interest in supervision
Academic progression
The award duration is linked to PhD progression up to the four-year maximum
Interview participation
Attend an online interview with the review committee if shortlisted
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Requirement
Details
Master's degree
Relevant Master's degree with a minimum grade of 2.1 (GPA: 3.6)
Final-year Master's students
May apply on a conditional basis, with the award depending on meeting the grade
Programme fit
PhD in Politics and International Relations, or PhD in Quantitative and Computational Social Science where the supervisor is based in SPIRe
Start date
September 2027 entry only
Nationality
Open to EU and non-EU applicants, including applicants from outside Ireland
English language
Non-native English speakers must meet UCD English language requirements; exemptions apply where a prior degree was taught entirely in English
Not eligible
Continuing students, non-September starts, supervisors outside SPIRe, and part-transfer PhD students
Additional Skills That Strengthen an Application
Skill
Details
Research writing
Cover letter must explain reasons for interest in the SPIRe PhD programme specifically, not a generic PhD statement
Proposal clarity
Thesis proposal must include title, research question, literature review, theoretical approaches and methodology within the word limit
Academic record
Both undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts are required, even if the Master's is not yet complete
Concise CV
C.V. or resume limited to two pages maximum
Referee coordination
Contact details of two academic referees, including roles and institutional contacts, are required
Supervisor alignment
A project that attracts a willing supervisor in SPIRe strengthens the application, since a strong written proposal alone is not enough
Who Should Apply
Background
Details
High-calibre Master's graduates in a relevant discipline
Yes
Final-year Master's students in a relevant discipline
Yes, on a conditional basis
EU applicants
Yes
Non-EU applicants, including Indian students meeting academic and English requirements
Yes
Candidates proposing a PhD in Politics and International Relations
Yes
Candidates proposing a PhD in Quantitative and Computational Social Science with a supervisor based in SPIRe
Yes
Continuing PhD students
Not eligible
Candidates seeking non-September starts
Not eligible
Candidates with supervisors outside SPIRe
Not eligible
Part-transfer PhD students
Not eligible
Salary and Employment Benefits
Detail
Information
Tuition fees
Full fees covered for both EU and Non-EU students
Living stipend
€25,000 per year
Duration of funding
Up to four years
Study mode
Full-time doctoral study
Fee cover for international applicants
Not limited to the EU rate, so Indian and other international applicants benefit from full fee cover
Progression condition
Duration is linked to PhD progression up to the four-year maximum
Important Dates and Deadline
Event
Date
Application Start
Mid November
Last Date to Apply
15 January 2027 at 5pm Dublin time
Indian time equivalent of deadline
10:30pm IST on 15 January 2027
PhD entry
September 2027
Decisions communicated
Usually by mid-March
Documents Required
Document
Details
Cover letter
Stating reasons for interest in the SPIRe PhD programme
Thesis proposal
1,500-2,000 words maximum, excluding bibliography, with title, research question, literature review, theoretical approaches and methodology
Academic transcripts
Copies of undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts
C.V. or Resume
Two pages maximum
English language evidence
Required for non-native English speakers
Referees
Contact details of two academic referees (reference letters not uploaded at this stage)
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Go to the official scholarship page and open the Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 entry
2
Confirm your topic fits the PhD in Politics and International Relations, or the PhD in Quantitative and Computational Social Science with a supervisor based in SPIRe
3
Prepare your cover letter stating your reasons for interest in the SPIRe PhD programme
4
Draft your thesis proposal of 1,500-2,000 words maximum, excluding bibliography, covering title, research question, literature review, theoretical approaches and methodology
5
Keep ready scanned copies of undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts, a C.V. of maximum 2 pages, and evidence of English competence if you are a non-native English speaker
6
Arrange contact details, including roles and institutional contacts, for two academic referees
7
Open the Google Application Form and fill all personal, academic and supervisor-preference sections
8
Upload each document in the requested format, check word and page limits, submit the form and save the confirmation screen or email for your records
Selection Process
Stage
Details
1
Initial eligibility review
2
Expression of interest by academic colleagues for longlisted candidates
3
School review committee shortlisting
4
Online interview with review committee
5
Offer to qualifying candidate(s) and notification of unsuccessful candidates, usually by mid-March
Important Links (Direct URLs)
Description
URL
Official Website and application form link (UCD SPIRe)
The Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 is a four-year funded PhD award from the UCD School of Politics and International Relations for September 2027 entry
Q2. What is the last date to apply for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027?
Applications open in mid-November and the last date to submit the online form is 15 January 2027 at 5pm Dublin time
Q3. Who is eligible for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027?
It is open to EU and non-EU applicants with at least a 2.1 (GPA 3.6) in a relevant Master's degree, including final-year Master's students who can apply on a conditional basis, for the specified SPIRe PhD programmes starting in September
Q4. What are the benefits of the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees for EU and non-EU students and provides €25,000 per year for living expenses for up to four years
Q5. How can I apply for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027?
You must submit your application online via the Google Application Form along with the prescribed cover letter, proposal and supporting documents
Q6. What is the selection process for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship?
Eligible applications are longlisted, considered by academic colleagues and a School review committee, and shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview before final offers are made
Q7. What documents are required for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship application?
You need a cover letter, a thesis proposal of 1,500-2,000 words excluding bibliography, undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts, a CV of up to two pages, proof of English competence where applicable, and contact details of two academic referees
Q8. Can final-year Master's students apply?
Yes, students in the final year of a relevant Master's may apply on a conditional basis, with the award depending on meeting the required grade
Q9. Are continuing PhD students eligible?
No, continuing students, non-September starts, projects with supervisors outside SPIRe, and part-transfer PhD students are not eligible
Q10. When are decisions usually communicated?
Offer to qualifying candidate(s) and notification of unsuccessful candidates usually takes place by mid-March
Final Call-to-Action
Step
Action
1
Verify all dates, documents and interview information on the official UCD SPIRe scholarship page before applying
2
Prepare your cover letter, thesis proposal, transcripts, two-page CV and referee details well before the deadline
3
Submit the Google Application Form before 15 January 2027 at 5pm Dublin time and save your confirmation
4
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