The Academic Council has approved the creation of a Graduate Research Board (GRB) with the remit of all graduate research students within the University. Administrative support for the new Board is via a dedicated team in UCD Graduate Studies, led by Ciara Cloak, Graduate Research Programme Manager.

The GRB meets monthly to consider policy and strategic matters impacting graduate research students, as well as submissions from Schools for individual graduate research students. Examples of types of submissions (once approved at School level) that may be considered for graduate research students include:

• Award of Credit for External (Concurrent) Learning,
• Award of Credit for Prior Learning,
• Thesis Embargoes,
• Change in Major or Programme,
• Extension of Graduate Research Study,
• Stage Progression, see PhD Lifecycle,
• Leave of Absence,
• Some Admissions, i.e. re-admissions,
• Examination Committees (which, if approved by the GRB, are submitted to ACCE for final decision).

Graduate research students should engage with their supervisor (or RSP if appropriate) in the first instance regarding all submissions which require final approval of the GRB.