BAIS Postgraduate Bursary Scheme

Our Postgraduate Bursary Award Scheme has become the major scheme of its kind in the UK. Each year, we make significant funds available to students researching Irish-related topics at British universities. We aim to support research that uncovers new or neglected areas in the field.

As an applicant, you are encouraged to produce a specific and targeted funding request, detailing how the award will support your research. Your applications will be assessed by a panel of important international academics, ensuring that this is a valuable award in more ways than one. We are keen to recognise the diversity of work taking place on Irish culture and society when coming to our final decision. In any one year we usually give bursaries to between three and five winners (sums are usually between £300–£1000). The bursaries are presented to successful candidates by the Irish Ambassador to Great Britain, at our Awards Ceremony held at the Irish Embassy in London.

The scheme has given rise to important research which has been published internationally. A number of the students it has helped in the past are now lecturing in the field of Irish Studies at universities in Britain and Ireland.

Students may apply to use the bursary for travel expenses, payment of fees, subsistence or other expenses related to the completion of their research projects. Applicants must be members of the British Association for Irish Studies (or should join when they apply). Applicants will be required to submit a completed Application Form together with two completed forms from referees, who will be required to send these direct to the Chair of the Bursaries Committee. The decision of the BAIS Postgraduate Bursaries Committee will be final.

Download the application form .doc, 600k

The deadline for submission of applications is 17 March 2013, and the awards will be announced in April 2013.

For more information on the competition for 2013, please contact the Chair of the Bursaries Committee: Dr. Scott Brewster, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT. 0161 295 2850. W.S.Brewster@salford.ac.uk.

Postgraduate Essay Prize 2013

The British Association for Irish Studies, in association with Irish Studies Review and Cambridge University Press, is pleased to announce the BAIS Postgraduate Essay Prize.

Entries are invited for an essay on any aspect of Irish Studies

The winning entry will be published in Irish Studies Review and the winning author will receive £500 of Cambridge University Press books of their choice.

Entrants should be student members of BAIS who are registered for Masters or Doctoral programmes in Great Britain. Essays should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words in length and be presented in accordance with the Instructions for Authors of Irish Studies Review. All essays must be submitted electronically by 17 March 2013. The Prize will be judged by a multi-disciplinary panel. The winner will be announced in May 2013.

Please direct entries or enquiries to: Prof. Ian McBride, ian.mcbride@kcl.ac.uk  

British Association for Irish Studies: http://www.bais.org.uk.

Irish Studies Review:  http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/09670882.asp

Cambridge University Press: http://uk.cambridge.org/