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By Beth Gormley, Communications and PR Manager, UCD College of Business

The ASPIRE scholarship offers financial support, an elite network, and the opportunity to study at Ireland’s top business school.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is now accepting applications for its prestigious Aspire Scholarship Programme for the 2025 academic year — a life-changing opportunity that supports talented and ambitious individuals with the financial means to pursue a Masters or MBA degree.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be recognised for my hard work and potential,” said Cork native and Aspire Scholar Adam Drummond. “Knowing that I have the support from the Aspire Scholarship means that I can fully immerse myself in my studies. The scholarship helps with the costs of studying in Dublin by freeing up resources so that I can make the most of the experience.”

A passionate basketball coach and player, Adam volunteers as U20 Head Coach for the Neptune Basketball Club, U19 Irish Wheelchair Team Head Coach, as well as coaching at UCD. He also continues to play with the Rebel Wheelers.

Created in the wake of the 2010 financial crisis, the Aspire Scholarship Programme is more than just financial support — it’s a powerful network of driven, diverse and high-achieving professionals, many of whom now work in companies like Google, Citi, Accenture, PwC, McKinsey, Microsoft and more. To date, over 150 graduates have benefited from the programme, using the opportunity to launch successful careers, start their own businesses, or become leaders in their fields.

“Scholarships are important not only due to the financial support they offer, but the opportunity to access a high level of education, which many people might not normally have,” said Adam who is pursuing a MSc in International Business. “Coming from Cork, the scholarship and the network around it gave me a support system outside of an educational setting.”

 The Aspire Fellowship is made up of a hugely talented and diverse membership pool explained Drummond. “This creates a more inclusive and diverse learning environment and empowers students to really go after their goals. One of the reasons I applied was to learn from my classmates and the alumni network. When you graduate and look for employment, there are opportunities that you wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Kerry McLaverty, Chief Executive Officer at LauraLynn, is the new President of the Aspire Fellowship, as well as a 2015 Aspire Scholar and Executive MBA alumna: “The Aspire Fellowship and UCD Smurfit School Executive MBA were the catalysts I needed to help me develop the skills required to lead Ireland’s only children’s hospice.” 

McLaverty was also awarded the prestigious AMBA & BGA Leadership Award in 2022 and the UCD Alumni Award for Business in 2023.

“The scholarship donor’s generosity is helping to shape the Irish leaders of tomorrow,” she continued. “The financial support provides high-potential candidates an opportunity to study at Ireland’s leading business school, but what is even more beneficial is the network and strong bond that has been created amongst the Aspire Fellows.”

“For anyone that is thinking of applying, I would say just go for it,” concluded Drummond. “I know that’s a straightforward answer, but the opportunities that it brought me are invaluable.”

If you’re driven to advance your career and reach new heights, this opportunity is for you.

The 2025 Aspire Scholarship Programme application window is now open with 50% funding available for up to nine MSc scholarships and three MBA scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year. The scholarships are open to applicants who are resident in Ireland.

Applications can be made online here before the 9^th of May 2025.