Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology

 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE SCHOOL OF LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NOW OPEN

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS - MONDAY 2 JUNE, 2025

Students undertaking or wishing to undertake a PhD or PhD-track programme in the School of Law and Criminology are eligible to apply for scholarship support from the School of Law and Criminology.
 
One new Scholarship will be available this calendar year (starting October 2025).
 
This Scholarship commences no earlier than October 2025 and lasts up to 4 years (shorter than 4 years if the student has already commenced PhD Studies).

This Scholarship application is open both to new entrants and to existing students already registered to and in good standing on the MU Law and Criminology PhD programme.
  
Candidates should ordinarily hold a master’s degree in Law or Criminology, or a cognate discipline, with a 2.1 honours or higher (or the equivalent). In exceptional cases, candidates with a 1st class undergraduate degree in Law or Criminology, or a cognate discipline, will be considered.
 
Students who at the time of the application have already been awarded  a scholarship for the academic year 2025-26 of equivalent or greater value are not eligible to apply.
 
Students who have applied for this scholarship but who, during the selective process for this Scholarship, are awarded a scholarship for academic year 2025-26 of equivalent or greater value shall communicate the award to the School. They are expected to take up the latter (other) scholarship in preference to this School Doctoral Scholarship and to formally withdraw from this process.

Before applying, students must have secured a supervisor in the School of Law and Criminology who (a) formally supports the application and (b) states that, in their considered view, and with regard to the quality of the research proposal, the candidate has a realistic prospect of success in attaining a PhD. It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure a supervisor, bearing in mind that staff members are free to decline  to act as such. The agreement to supervise should be notified by the prospective supervisor to the School’s PhD Coordinator (Prof. Delia Ferri). A formal offer on the MUApply system is not necessary in order to apply for the scholarship.

Value of the Scholarship
The Scholarship will entail:

• A fixed maintenance award of €18,500 per annum (the amount is determined by the University rather than the School);
• Annual tuition fees support.

 
Duration
This full-time Scholarship will be awarded for up to four years of full-time study, subject to satisfactory annual review of progress in research. If a student has already commenced PhD studies, the Scholarship applies only until the student completes the fourth year since first registration on a PhD programme, subject to satisfactory annual review of progress in research.
 
Terms and Conditions
The Scholarship will require participation in School activities as a full-time doctoral scholar. Scholars will generally be expected to attend the university during term-time.
 
Scholars who wish to develop their teaching skills, contribute to pedagogical developments in their discipline and develop other skills to enhance their employability outside of the University may also be considered for activities such as tutorials, marking, and/or similar related work for which they will receive additional payment, subject to University guidelines, policies and procedures.
 
There is, however, no obligation on the University to offer the scholar any paid work, and there is no obligation on the scholar to accept any such offers of paid work.
 
Moreover, any such work, where offered, is for the exclusive purpose of advancing the scholar’s training and development in their capacity as a Doctoral Scholar. These activities will be carried out under the direction of the Head of School, or a member of staff nominated by the Head.
 
Reimbursement of expenses for travel and participation in conferences, events or for the purchase of books will be available in accordance with School policies (funding is usually limited to €1,000 in total for all items per annum per student, subject to availability and bugdetary constraints).
  
Application and Selection Procedure
The appointment will be made by the Head of School on the advice of a representative selection committee and based on a transparent recruitment process that meets the needs of the School. The Scholarship will be awarded by the School on the basis of:
 

• The quality of the applicant’s academic skills and experience. This criterion includes excellence in academic and research achievements as well as applicants’ non-academic accomplishments, in line with the University’s mission and Strategic Plan. In the case of existing Maynooth PhD students, regard will be had to annual progress reports, where relevant.
• The quality of the project proposal. This criterion includes the quality of the aims and objectives of the proposed research, the proposed methodology, the feasibility of the proposal, and plans for dissemination.
• The project’s potential alignment with the School’s research priorities and with the University’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028. 

 
Applicants for the scholarship, who already have secured a supervisor in the School of Law and Criminology, are asked to submit all of the following documents to [email protected] by no later than 5 p.m. Irish time on Monday 2 June, 2025:

• A CV detailing academic experience, and any prior teaching experience;
• A cover letter of up to two pages outlining your motivation and suitability for the role; if you are an existing MU PhD student, your cover letter should include an indication as to whether you consent to the selection committee having access to your annual PhD progress reports, where relevant.
• A short letter or email from a permanent, whole-time academic member of the Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology confirming they have agreed to supervise the candidate, that they endorse the application for a doctoral scholarship, and that, in their considered view, and with regard to the quality of the research proposal, the candidate has a realistic prospect of success in attaining a PhD;
• A copy of a PhD research proposal of maximum 6 pages (not including references) which should ideally include  the following elements: Project Title; Abstract; Description of the project to include, for example, aims and central research questions; Methodology; Indication of the Novelty and Significance of the Research and Research Plans. The suggested structure is merely indicative, and students are welcome to include additional elements or highlight certain specific aspect of their research. A list of references should be included at the end; AND
• Relevant academic transcripts (evidence of completion of degree and degree award mark).

 
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must provide written evidence of competency in the English language that satisfy the programme-specific requirements set out by the Maynooth University International Office. 
 
Applicants may be shortlisted for interview and, if so, will be contacted directly by the School. 
 
Closing date for applications to [email protected]: 5 p.m. on Monday 2 June, 2025.
All scholarship Awards are conditional on approval for registration by the University.

Equality and Diversity
Maynooth University values the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seeks to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual. To learn more about our commitment to Equality and Diversity, please read the Maynooth University Equality and Diversity Policy. Additionally, both Maynooth University and the School of Law and Criminology hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, which recognises work undertaken to advance gender equality for staff and students in Higher Education.