UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded PhD

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027: Funding, Apply

Facts checked: against the official notice at ucd.ie on 14 November 2026.

Quick Summary

Applications for the Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 at University College Dublin close on 15 January 2027 at 5pm Dublin time for PhD entry in September 2027. Offered by the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe), it covers full fees for EU and non-EU students plus a living stipend of €25,000 per year for up to four years. Applications are online only via the Google Application Form. It is for new September-2027 applicants to the PhD in Politics and International Relations, or to the PhD in Quantitative and Computational Social Science where the supervisor is based in SPIRe — apply through the official scholarship page.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027: Overview

The Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 is a four-year funded PhD award from the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) for September 2027 entry.

It supports two routes: PhD in Politics and International Relations, and PhD in Quantitative and Computational Social Science only when the proposed supervisor is based in SPIRe. The award is open to EU and non-EU graduates, so Indian students who meet the academic and English requirements can apply as non-EU applicants. The funding package and the winter closing point are summarised in the tables in the next sections.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Benefits and Funding

The scholarship pays tuition at the relevant rate and provides living support for up to four years of full-time doctoral study.

As per the official notification, the value is full fees (EU and Non-EU) plus living stipend of €25,000 per year for up to four years. The table shows the same package. For Indian and other international applicants this matters because the fee cover is not limited to the EU rate. Duration is linked to PhD progression up to the four-year maximum.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Eligibility Criteria

High-calibre Master's graduates in a relevant discipline who can start a SPIRe PhD in September 2027 can apply, including applicants from outside Ireland.

• Open to candidates interested in PhD Politics and International Relations or PhD Quantitative and Computational Social Science (if supervisor is based in SPIRe)
• Minimum grade of 2.1 (GPA: 3.6) in a relevant Master's degree; final-year Master's students may apply conditionally
• Open to EU and non-EU applicants
• Continuing students, non-September starts, supervisors outside SPIRe, or part-transfer PhD students are not eligible
• Non-native English speakers must meet UCD English language requirements with exemptions for degrees taught entirely in English

Academic standing

The official notification requires a minimum grade of 2.1 (GPA: 3.6) in a relevant Master's degree. Students in the final year of such a Master's may apply on a conditional basis, with the award depending on meeting the grade.

Programme and supervisor fit

The proposed PhD and supervisor must sit inside SPIRe. That is why continuing PhD students, non-September starts, projects with supervisors outside SPIRe, and part-transfer PhD students are outside scope.

Nationality and language

Both EU and non-EU applicants are eligible. Non-native English speakers must meet UCD English language requirements, with exemptions where a prior degree was taught entirely in English.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Important Dates and Deadline

There is a single deadline in winter for September 2027 entry. Applications open in mid-November, so you have a short window of about two months to prepare and submit.

The last date to apply is 15 January 2027 at 5pm Dublin time, which is 10:30pm IST on the same day. The cut-off is fixed at 5pm Dublin time, not midnight, so applicants in India should plan to submit well before late evening.

The Google Application Form is linked from the official scholarship page during the application window. Keep all documents ready and apply early rather than waiting for the final hours.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Documents Required

Applicants must provide research, academic and referee information through the online form.

• 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
• Copies of Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
• C.V. or Resume (2 pages maximum)
• Evidence of English language competence for non-native English speakers
• Contact details of two academic referees

Research writing

The cover letter should explain reasons for interest in the SPIRe PhD programme specifically, not a generic PhD statement. The thesis proposal has a maximum of 1,500-2,000 words excluding bibliography and must include title, research question, literature review, theoretical approaches and methodology.

Records and referees

Copies of both undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts are required, even if the Master's is not yet complete. The C.V. or resume is limited to two pages maximum. Non-native English speakers add evidence of English competence, and all applicants add contact details of two academic referees rather than uploading reference letters at this stage.

How to Apply for UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027

Applications are submitted online only through the Google Application Form linked from the UCD SPIRe scholarship page.

What the application form on ucd.ie asks for

• Fields (* = required): Search UCD.ie

Steps the portal lists:

1. Cover letter , stating reasons for interest in the SPIRe PhD programme.
2. Go to the official scholarship page and open the Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 entry.
3. 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.
4. Prepare your cover letter stating your reasons for interest in the SPIRe PhD programme.
5. Draft your thesis proposal of 1,500-2,000 words maximum, excluding bibliography, covering title, research question, literature review, theoretical approaches and methodology.
6. 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.
7. Arrange contact details, including roles and institutional contacts, for two academic referees.
8. Open the Google Application Form and fill all personal, academic and supervisor-preference sections.
9. 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.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Selection Process

Selection is by school-level academic review followed by an online interview, with decisions usually communicated by mid-March.

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

What happens after submission

After an initial eligibility review, longlisted proposals are shared internally so academic colleagues can register an expression of interest in supervision. A school review committee then shortlists from that pool.

Interview and offer

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview with the review committee. The practical point is that a strong written proposal alone is not enough; the project must also attract a willing supervisor in SPIRe. Qualifying candidate(s) receive an offer, and unsuccessful candidates are notified.

UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Important Links

All action happens on the official UCD page for this scholarship, which hosts the details and the application form link.

The Important Links table points to that single source of truth for the 2027 round. Use it to apply online and to verify dates, documents and interview information as per the official notification. Do not use cached pages or third-party forms, since only submissions through the linked Google form are valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What documents are required for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship application?

You need to provide 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.