National University of Ireland - Denis Phelan Scholarship

What you get

You will receive 1,330 EUR for one year of doctoral research (PhD). The National University of Ireland (NUI) awards this scholarship, which is funded by its gown manufacturer, Phelan Conan Ltd., in memory of Denis Phelan. It is linked to the calls for applications for the NUI Travel Grant for PhD students. If you apply for one of these calls, you will automatically be considered for this scholarship; no additional form is required.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are just starting your PhD or are already working on it.
• Your university: You are a graduate of the National University of Ireland. This covers University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Galway and Maynooth University.
• Main competition: You have applied for an NUI Travelling Doctoral Studentship, in either the Humanities and Social Sciences track or the Sciences track. Entering that competition is what makes you eligible.
• Field of study: Both areas are taken into account, meaning that a wide range of topics from the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences are eligible.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they hold a degree from NUI.

How to apply

You do not need to apply for this scholarship separately. Instead, you apply for the ‘NUI Travelling Doctoral Studentships’, and all applicants are automatically considered. For the 2026 round, the application deadline was 6 March 2026.

If you are exploring further doctoral funding options in Ireland, you will find additional opportunities in our guide Scholarships in Ireland.