This internal competition is now closed. (Deadline 21st June 2023)

Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowships - 2023 Applications

Please note that the information presented here is provisional, based on details of the most recent round, as the next round of this scheme has not yet formally opened.

The Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme allows fully-funded fellowships of either one or two years. One-year fellowships allow the opportunity to develop publications from your PhD. Two-year fellowships allow the opportunity to develop either a new project or a project that expands significantly on your PhD. Neither route is known to be more or less competitive (and the School has had significant success with both in recent years); the difference is only in the scheme aims.

The salary for Fellows starting in 2023 is €40,023, rising to €40,583 in the second year of two-year fellowships, with a €5,000 p/a research allowance.

Applicants should have been awarded their PhD within the 5 years leading up to 31 May 2024 (the date of graduation is used for this purpose). Applications are also permitted from final year dissertation students, as long as the PhD is due to be completed, including submission of corrected thesis, by 31 May (it is not necessary to have graduated in this instance). There are no prior nationality or residency requirements. The average success rate in recent years has been around 15%. More information is available at: http://research.ie/funding/goipd/

The final funder deadline is expected to be in mid-to-late October 2023.

This internal competition is now closed. (Deadline 21st June 2023)

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships - 2023 Applications

Please note that Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a greater number of fellowship routes and eligibility options than do GOIPD Fellowships. We therefore strongly advise that you check carefully your eligibility against the details provided directly by the European Commission (see links provided below).

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships allow fully-funded fellowships for one to three years. The purpose of the fellowships is to "enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers holding a PhD and who wish to acquire new skills through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility." This is usually achieved (in a university setting) through the completion of an individual research project under the supervision of an experienced academic. The key eligibility requirement is some kind of international mobility. There are two schemes:

European Postdoctoral Fellowships: For researchers wishing to move from any country to the relevant EU member state or associated country (in this case, Ireland). Researchers would stay at UCD for a period of 12-24 months.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships: Allow an outgoing phase of 12-24 months in an institution in a “third country” (not an EU member state or associated country), followed by a 12-month “return period” to an EU or associated country institution (in this case, UCD).

In practice, European Fellowships are suitable for researchers wishing to move to Ireland from any other country. Global Fellowships are suitable for researchers wishing to spend time in Ireland and another country. Current Irish residents wishing to spend time at UCD through a MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship would normally be eligible only for the Global Fellowship route.

Applicants should have been awarded their PhD within eight years of the MSCA deadline (13 September 2023). Career breaks and “experience outside research” do not count towards the eight-year maximum, nor does time spent in third countries by EU / associated country nationals or by long-term residents who wish to reintegrate into EU / associated country research.

The fellowships provide a living allowance equivalent to a competitive salary, alongside additional mobility and family allowances where applicable; exact amounts vary depending on personal circumstances, fellowship route, and host country (for the outgoing phase of Global Fellowships).

An overview of the relevant information is available here, and further details are available here and here. Amidst the profusion of information and documentation provided by the EC, candidates are advised to consult in particular the Postdoctoral Fellowship Guide for Applicants 2023.

The final funder deadline will be 13 September 2023.