University of Limerick Doctoral College PhD Scholarship- Kemmy Business School 2026/27

This Scholarship is open to new full-time PhD candidates who intend to register and enrol for the first time as a PhD candidate in UL during the Autumn semester of the 2026/27 academic year. 

• Table of Content
• About University of Limerick
• University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

University of Limerick PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Limerick PhD Scholarship

• The scholarship will cover annual postgraduate research EU level fees (currently set at €5,800) and a stipend (€25,000 per annum) for three years.

Requirements for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship Qualification

• The successful applicant will normally have a Master’s Degree or a 1st Class Honours Bachelor’s Degree in a discipline related to the research proposal.
• Evidence of project management, scientific writing and an understanding of research methodologies would be an advantage.
• The candidate will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently with the support of their research supervisors and to contribute to the research environment of the Graduate Centre of Business which is home to some 70 PhD candidates in the Kemmy Business School.

Condition of the Scholarships

• Successful PhD scholarship candidates will hold the scholarship for up to a maximum of three years.
• Where a PhD scholarship candidate does not successfully complete the Annual Research Student Progression Process and if relevant, the Research Confirmation Process in the same academic year, the Scholarship will be forfeited.
• Successful applicants will be expected to formally present their ongoing research during each year of their enrolment, paying specific attention to the sustainability and interdisciplinary nature of their research.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship

PhD applications are evaluated under three criteria:

1. Quality of Proposal (50%): Clarity and coherence of the proposed research (critique of the relevant literature and alignment to research topic); Quality and appropriateness of research design and methodologies; Justification and contribution of study (appropriateness of research questions/objectives and proposed contribution to knowledge); Feasibility of the proposed research plan in terms of time frame, deliverables and contingency; Consideration of the relevant ethical issues and sex/gender dimension; Clarity of plans to acquire new knowledge and skills to achieve research aims (where appropriate); Clarity of dissemination and knowledge exchange plans in terms of proposed target publications; Clarity of potential impact of research beyond academia e.g. impact in terms of practice, policy etc.
2. Quality of Scholar (40%): Academic track record/performance i.e. academic results and undergraduate/postgraduate degree classification; Match between profile/relevance of qualifications and applicant’s proposed research project; Quality of references (two written references required, one of which must be an academic reference).
3. Quality of Supervisory Team (The scholarship requires a supervision team of two) (10%):  Alignment of the thesis topic with the specific expertise of the supervisory team; Research output of supervisory team e.g. Quality/Quantity of Publications, PhD completions, etc.; Evidence of joint supervision/supervisory team (complementarity of experience (i.e. more senior and early career supervisors working together) and skills.

Documents Required for Application

Structure and Word Count of the Research Proposal

In submitting a PhD application to the KBS, candidates must provide the following: 

1. A covering letter which includes a personal statement to demonstrate how their previous studies/research and/or professional experience have prepared them for embarking on a PhD programme at the KBS. The personal statement should include the candidate’s reasons for undertaking doctoral research.
2. Two written references, at least one of which must be an academic reference. 
3. A research proposal must carefully follow the structure and sequence of the template provided below. It should fully address each of the headings listed below and adhere to the word count requirements in each case. The research proposal should be approximately 3,000 words in total. 

Template to be Followed for Research Proposals 

• Description of proposed research including critique of the relevant literature and alignment to research topic (1000 words) 
• Quality and appropriateness of research design and methodologies (500 words) 
• Justification and contribution of study (appropriateness of research questions/objectives and proposed contribution to knowledge) (500 words) 
• Feasibility of the proposed research plan in terms of time frame, deliverables and contingency (200 words) 
• Consideration of the relevant ethical issues (100 words) 
• Clarity of plans to acquire new knowledge and skills to achieve research aims (where appropriate) (200 words) 
• Clarity of dissemination and knowledge exchange plans in terms of proposed target publications (200 words) 
• Clarity of potential impact of research beyond academia e.g. impact in terms of practice, policy etc. (200 words) 
• Evidence of plans to apply for funding during PhD programme e.g. to the Irish Research Council or other funding bodies both nationally and internationally (100 words)

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Research proposals are welcome in any field aligned with the expertise and research interests of the Kemmy Business School Faculty. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed PhD research and future research aligns with UL’s Research Strategy 2022-2027 “Wisdom for Action” and the relevant “Sustainable Development Goals”.
• Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted by close of business on Monday May 18th to Rebecca Gachet ([email protected] ).

Download Links:

• Download the Guide to Preparing a Research Proposal and Evaluation Criteria (Here)
• Download the Postgraduate Studies Application Form (Here)
• Prospective Supervisor (Here)
• https://www.ul.ie/business/doctoral-programmes

For more information, kindly visit University of Limerick scholarship webpage.