Q. What higher education institutions on the island of Ireland are eligible for application?

Answer: Students may apply from the following institutions:

• Atlantic Technological University 
• Dublin City University
• Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT)
• Maynooth University
• Munster Technological University
• National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
• Queens University Belfast
• Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
• South East Technological University
• Technological University Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin
• University of Galway
• University of Limerick
• University of Ulster

Q. Should referees comment on the individual applicant as well as the project?

Answer: Yes, we need to know about the suitability of the applicant. While we don’t need a character reference, we do need to know about the suitability of applicants to undertake the research or taught course they are proposing.

Q. What happens if we can’t secure a statement from a referee that you’ve nominated?

Answer: We advise that you check that your referees are willing and available before submitting an application.

Q. How will my application be assessed?

Answer: Your application is assessed as follows:

• Submitted applications are reviewed for by the programme team to confirm they are eligible and complete.
• The programme team does an initial review of applications across all disciplinary areas. Due to increased application numbers, not all applications will proceed to the academic review stage. If you do proceed to the academic review stage, applications and all associated documents, including your academic references, are shared with academic reviewers in your chosen field of study. The role of the academic reviewer is to evaluate your application.
• Based on the application and the recommendation of the academic reviewers, the programme team draw up a shortlist of approximately 70 candidates for interview.
• Applicants who are not called for interview are notified.
• Applicants selected for interview meet with the programme team, which comprises the Director of the George Moore Scholars programme, a representative of The Ireland Funds and a Trustee for a 20 minute discussion about their application and their intended programme of study.
• Following the interview, applicants will not be notified of outcomes until they have submitted a university offer. Submitting a university offer does not guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded, but it is used to inform the review team of a scholarship allocation. It is expected that interviewees will hear of their outcomes over the March to May period, shortly after they submit to the programme a university course offer. This may be the course that is included in your application or it may be another course, if you have applied for several simultaneously.
• Conflict of interest:
• • The George Moore Scholars programme is committed to ensuring that all people who are eligible for and interested in applying to the programme are in a position to do so. To ensure fairness of treatment, the programme team and academic reviewers must declare a conflict of interest if any applicant is known to them personally or professionally. If this is the case, the application can progress but the individual concerned will be replaced in the process by another individual who does not know the applicant.

Q. Can I apply if I am already on my master's course?

Answer: The George Moore Scholars programme will not support students who are already on their master's course. It is intended for students who have not yet started their master's degree.

Q. What is the value of the 'average' scholarship and what is this based on?

Answer: Scholarships range from approximately fifteen-thousand to sixty-five thousand Euros per annum. This is based on a budget, including documentary evidence, provided by the applicants. Most of the award is intended to cover the cost of tuition but costs for accommodation, travel, health insurance and other educational necessities may also be included.

Q. What is expected of me if I am selected as a George Moore Scholar?

Answer: Scholarships are awarded to people who we hope will progress to have significant positive impact in their chosen field of study. We hope that Scholars will stay connected with us through an Alumni Network, to help to build your career and networks and to support future Scholars. Scholars are expected to contribute to programme evaluation, through the completion of surveys, interviews and focus groups. Scholars will also be invited to participate in promoting the programme to future applicants.

There is no other formal expectation of George Moore Scholars, other than they consider 'paying it forward' by supporting other people with talent, drive and a need for support at a key developmental stage in their lives.