Fully Funded PhD Scholarship At Dublin City University: €25,000 Annual Stipend & Tuition Waiver—Apply Now!

About the PhD Scholarship at Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) School of History and Geography is offering a prestigious PhD scholarship for outstanding candidates interested in pursuing doctoral research in history or geography. The scholarship provides an annual stipend of €25,000, along with a full tuition fee waiver, for up to four years. This opportunity is open to both EU and non-EU students and aims to support high-quality research that aligns with the expertise of the faculty at DCU. The program starts in September 2025, and applications must be submitted by 5 PM on March 28, 2025.

Eligible Fields

The scholarship supports PhD research in two primary academic disciplines:

History

Applicants with research interests in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

Medieval Ireland (12th-16th century), with a focus on social history, urban development, legal history, and gender studies.
Early modern and modern Ireland, including:
- Irish history from c.1660 to 1850.
- The lives of Irish women (1850-1985).
- The Irish Revolution and post-Civil War Ireland.
- Partition and its consequences.
- Religious history, particularly Irish Catholicism.
- Labour and legal history.
- The history of science, medicine, and technology.
- The history of children, youth, crime, and punishment.
- The history of Dublin and efforts to address poverty.
- Early modern Italy (15th-18th century), covering social history, religion, gender, sexuality, and crime.
- Comparative and transnational historical projects.

Geography

Candidates interested in the following research areas are encouraged to apply:

Historical geography, including crime and punishment in Ireland.

Landlord landscapes and urban development (18th to 20th century).
Housing and suburbanisation in Ireland (late 19th century to present).
Infrastructural labour and urban governance.

Sustainability and just transitions.
Waste geographies and water quality studies.
Rewilding as a solution to climate and socio-environmental challenges.

Citizen science monitoring of freshwater quality.
Coastal and climate change studies.
Natural capital and ecosystem services.

Environmental systems modelling.
Health, well-being, and climate change policy.

Applicants with research proposals outside these areas may also be considered, provided they secure a research supervisor within the department.

Eligible Countries

The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries worldwide. Both EU and non-EU students are eligible to apply. International students must ensure they meet Ireland’s visa requirements and be prepared to reside in the country for the duration of the program.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in history, geography, or a related discipline.

Demonstrate a strong academic background and research potential.
Have a well-developed research proposal that aligns with one of the research areas offered by the faculty.
Secure the agreement of a research supervisor from the DCU School of History and Geography before submitting an application.

Be willing to reside in Ireland for the duration of the program.
If applicable, demonstrate proficiency in the English language as required by DCU’s admission policies.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Quality of the Research Proposal: The originality, clarity, feasibility, and potential contribution of the proposed research.
Feasibility of the Research: The practical viability of the project within the given timeframe and resources.
Candidate Strength and Suitability: The academic qualifications, research experience, and overall potential of the applicant.

Alignment with Supervisor and Faculty Expertise: The relevance of the proposed research to the faculty’s areas of specialization.
Interview Performance: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview as part of the evaluation process.

Benefits of the PhD Scholarship at Dublin City University

The selected PhD candidate will receive:

Full tuition fee coverage (for both EU and non-EU students) for up to four years.
An annual stipend of €25,000 to support living expenses.
Expert supervision from faculty members at the DCU School of History and Geography.

Professional development opportunities, including specialized training, career workshops, and participation in the school’s research seminars.
Teaching and tutorial opportunities, allowing students to gain valuable academic experience and earn additional income.
Access to DCU’s research resources, including libraries, archives, and collaborative academic networks.

How to Apply

Prospective applicants must follow these steps to apply for the scholarship:

Identify a Supervisor
- Review faculty research interests at DCU’s School of History and Geography website.
- Contact a relevant faculty member to discuss your research proposal and seek their agreement to supervise your PhD.
Prepare Application Documents
- Complete the official application form (available for download on the university website).
- Attach a detailed CV outlining academic background, research experience, and relevant achievements.
- Develop a comprehensive research proposal that clearly defines research questions, methodology, and expected contributions.
Submit Application
- Email the completed application form and CV to historyandgeography@dcu.ie by 5 PM on March 28, 2025.
- Only applications submitted via the official form will be considered.
Selection and Interview
- Applications will be reviewed based on the selection criteria outlined above.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
- The final decision will be announced in April 2025.

Formal Admission Process
- Successful candidates will be required to apply formally for admission as PhD students at DCU.
- Non-native English speakers may need to provide proof of English language proficiency.
- Candidates must be prepared to begin their studies in September 2025 and reside in Ireland for the program’s duration.
- If a candidate starts later than September 2025 due to visa or other delays, the university will not fund an additional fifth year.

This scholarship presents an incredible opportunity for ambitious researchers to undertake high-impact PhD studies at one of Ireland’s leading universities. Interested applicants are encouraged to start reaching out to potential supervisors and preparing their applications well in advance of the deadline.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY