Hardiman Research Scholarships

FAQs

Prospective Applicants

The first thing that all prospective applicants must do is read the Applicant's Guide above on this webpage. 

Q: When can we expect Hardiman Scholarship process to open for next intake?

A: The Hardiman Scholarships application system normally re-opens in early December for the following September intake. Details will be available on webpage https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/ in due course.

Q: I am a current PhD student, can they apply for a Hardiman Scholarship?

A: No, as per the https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/ webpage, it states: ‘
Who are these scholarship for? Students commencing their PhD in September 2025.
Also under the eligibility section on https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/eligibility it states ‘Applications will not be accepted from persons currently registered as PhD students or who previously were awarded a PhD.’

Q: I wish to undertake a part-time PhD programme, can I apply for a Hardiman Scholarship?

A: No, Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage) 'Scholarships will be awarded only to those who are admitted to full-time structured PhDs in the University of Galway.'

Q: I wish to undertake a PhD in the Burren College of Art, can I apply for a Hardiman Scholarship?

A: No, the University of Galway accredit programmes from the BCA only.
PhD candidates can therefore pursue a PhD in BCA, but are not eligible for University of Galway Scholarship opportunities, including Hardiman Scholarships, QA200 and QA203 etc.

Q: How can I apply for a Hardiman Scholarship?

A: If you wish to apply for Hardiman PhD Scholarship, please find full details on how to apply and required documentation on the https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/.

Q: What does the Hardiman PhD Scholarship cover and for how long?

A: The Hardiman PhD Scholarships provides funded for four years to successful applicants wishing to undertake a structured PhD from the coming September. It covers the student’s stipend €25,000 p.a. plus tuition fee cover for 4 years period. It does not cover the student levy or provide a budget for consumables or travel etc.

Q: How many Hardiman PhD Scholarships are available this year?

A: We cannot confirm how many scholarships will be available as the number varies from year to year and dependent on the funding many available to us each year.

Q: How do I find a potential supervisor?

A: As per the https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/, you need to click on here to find a supervisor based on area of research you are interested on. You need to contact any potential supervisors directly.
1. Find a Supervisor

Applicants must nominate one supervisor. Click here to find a supervisor. A supervisor form must be submitted.

Q: Is there an application fee for submission of Hardiman PhD Scholarship application?

A: No, there is also no fee to apply for a Hardiman PhD Scholarship.
Please follow the guidance given in the Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage) which all applicants must read prior to completing the application form and also what is noted in the application and other forms.
Please note: there is an application fee when applying for PhD Programme

Q: Do I need to submit an online Structured PhD application as well as the Hardiman Scholarship application?

A: Yes, HR Scholar only deals with the Hardiman PhD Scholarship application form/process.
To apply for the Structured PhD programme is a separate process.
You may wish to apply for both at same time or you may wish to wait and see if you are successful in getting a Hardiman PhD Scholarship before applying for your PhD programme. Noting if you were successful in getting awarded a Hardiman PhD Scholarship it would be subject to meeting the entry requirements for a PhD at University of Galway and in the College of XXX (via applying online for and being accepted onto Structured PhD course).
This is something you may wish to discuss with your potential supervisor. They may have other funding sources you could also apply for at the same time as Hardiman, so as to increase your chances of getting funding for your PhD.

It is important to apply for the PhD programme in good time if you need to apply for a visa as it can take a number of weeks to get outcome from PhD application and then a number of weeks to get outcome of visa application. This all needs to be completed before the 1^st September of coming academic year, if you are in receipt of a Hardiman scholarship.  

Q: When I apply for the Hardiman Scholarship does this include consideration for the Structured PhD progamme I wish to do?

A: No, applying for your Structured PhD Programme is a separate application process to the applying for Hardiman PhD Scholarship.

• To apply for your PhD programme, you first need to make contact with potential supervisor(s). Please go to https://www.universityofgalway.ie/findasupervisor/ in the first instance and make direct contact with potential supervisor in your area of research, they will then advise you how to apply for PhD programme online and discuss applying for the Hardiman PhD Scholarship to support your PhD studies, as well as any other funding opportunities that they are aware of at the time.  
• For the Hardiman Scholarship, all details are on the Hardiman PhD Scholarship webpage in regards to applying and what is required. As part of the application process, you do need to make contact with potential supervisor and they have to complete the supervisor form (as per guidance given) and submit to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie before the closing date/time.

Q: Can Hardiman Scholarship applicant apply for their PhD before or while submitting their Hardiman Scholarship applicant (which are two a separate processes)?

A: You can submit your Hardiman PhD Scholarship application without having started/completed your Structured PhD application. These are two separate application processes.

If you are successful in getting Hardiman Scholarship offer it will be subject to meeting the entry requirements for a PhD at University of Galway and in the College of XXXX. If you accept the offer, you will be advised at this point ‘If you have not already applied for the Structured PhD programme via the online application system you should do so now. This is a separate process to the scholarship offer.’

It is important to apply for the PhD programme in good time if you need to apply for a visa as it can take a number of weeks to get outcome from PhD application and then a number of weeks to get outcome of visa application. This all needs to be completed before the 1^st September of coming academic year, if you are in receipt of a Hardiman scholarship.  

Q: When applying for a Hardiman PhD Scholarship, am I also applying for the PhD programme?

A: No, the PhD programme application process, this is a separate process to that of the Hardiman PhD Scholarship application process. You would have to discuss with the Postgraduate Admissions office or your proposed supervisor. HR Scholar has no involvement in this process.
If you are successful in getting a Hardiman PhD Scholarship offer it will be subject to meeting the entry requirements for a PhD at the University of Galway and in the relevant College e.g. College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies.
If you accept the offer, you will be advised at this point ‘If you have not already applied for the Structured PhD programme via the online application system you should do so now. This is a separate process to the scholarship offer.’

It is important to apply for the PhD programme in good time if you need to apply for a visa as it can take several weeks to get outcome from PhD application and then a number of weeks to get outcome of visa application. This all needs to be completed before the 1^st September, if you are in receipt of a Hardiman scholarship.’

Q: What are the rules for including endnotes and bibliography with the application?  May I include it on the application form or should I put them in a separate document?

A: As per the Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage)
Step 2: Application
1. A complete Hardiman scholarship application requires completion of the application form, the supervisor form and two academic reference forms. Non-adherence to the word count or page limit may result in the application or part of it, not being assessed.
As per Hardiman Application Form – you as the application needs to decide what you input in section 5 Personal Research Statement and should stick with the max 1,000 words.
If you feel endnotes and bibliography would be relevant, and do not want to include them in the 1,000 words under section 5, you could include under section 6. Please provide any other relevant information of your application.

Q: Can I input e.g. appendices including plots, diagrams and references in the personal research statement section or will this affect the word count?

A: The personal research statement allows a maximum of 1,000 words. There are no word limits for the sections Research Experience and Any Other Information. If you feel that inputting e.g. appendices including plots, diagrams and references, will support your application and falls under ‘other relevant information’ you can input in section 6 of the application.

Q: At what stage of the application process do applicants have to provide transcripts of academic record and if relevant, qualifications in the English language e.g. TOEFL, IELTS?

A: As per the application, it states

Please note that you may be asked to provide transcripts of your academic record and qualifications in the English language should you progress to the later stages of the selection process.
This normally happens post interview stage. If the applicant is successfully awarded and accepts scholarship, it is subject to meeting the entry requirements for a PhD at University of Galway and in the relevant College you are applying under e.g. College of Business, Public Policy and Law. This process will include requirement for submission of transcripts and certificate confirming English language competency e.g. TOEFL, IELTS. If you have other forms of evidence outside of what is listed on the English Language Requirements as per webpage https://www.universityofgalway.ie/international-students/studyinireland/entryrequirements/, you will have to check with your supervisor/relevant College office within University of Galway.

Q: Is it mandatory for academic references to only be submitted by someone in academia as part of application?

A: No, as per Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage) ‘Two academic reference forms are required that indicate your academic suitability and potential to undertake the PhD.’
As per the reference form:
To the Referee: Please complete this form to indicate the Applicant’s academic suitability and potential to undertake PhD research in the University of Galway.

A referee can be, as per the form:

Academic – Lecturer/Mentor/Advisor ☐          Employer ☐              Other ☐    

Therefore, an employer/other, if relevant, can provide a reference for you to indicate your academic suitability and potential to undertake the PhD

Q: Can I check with HR Scholar if my supporting forms were submitted by my proposed supervisor and two referees?

A: No. It is expected that applicants check directly with proposed supervisor and referees if they have submitted their completed forms.
As per Application Form and the Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage)
“Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that the proposed supervisor submits the completed ‘University of Galway Supervisor Form’ and that Referees submit the completed ‘Academic Reference Forms’ to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie by 17:00 (IRISH TIME) Friday, 7 February 2025.”

There is a large volume of emails with queries and forms coming in to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie on a regular basis. HR Scholar will not be in the position to check and reply to individual applicants in regards to what supporting forms are submitted or not. After the closing date and once all emails and forms processed, applicants will be notified if their application is complete and going forward for assessment or that their application was ineligible or incomplete.

Q: Can the applicant re-submit application if they made error on their original application?

A: No, the first application submitted to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie is final. There can be no re-submission, or changes after your submission.

Q: Can my proposed supervisor be one of my referees? 

A: No, please read the Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage)

Q: Can the applicant submit forms on behalf of the supervisor and/or references?

A: No, any support forms submitted by the applicant will not be considered. As per https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships Applicants must read the Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage)prior to completing the application form. Per the Applicant’s Guide and guidance given in the individual forms, the proposed supervisor must submit their supervisor form to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie and the each of the two referees must submit their reference forms to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie directly.

Q: Can the applicant, supervisor, or referees request extension to closing date deadline to submit their relevant forms?

A: No, the same deadline applies to all. No extensions can be given. Any forms submitted/received by hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie will not be considered.

Q: When will I hear back to confirm if my application is complete and going forward for assessment?

A: Once HR Scholar has finished going through all emails and forms process (normally late/end of February), all applicants will be notified of outcome e.g. completed application (includes supervisor form and two references) gone to next stage of assessment or incomplete/ineligible application

Q: When will interviews take place?

A: Please see Hardiman PhD Scholarships webpage https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/timeline/ for period interviews are scheduled to take place below. If your application was confirmed as complete and gone forward for assessment you should hear if you are being called for interview or unsuccessful around this time.

Q: If unsuccessful, can I get feed back on my application and/or interview?

A: Feedback on interview or application is not provided. As other scholarship/grant processes and assessments are different we have found in the past that providing feedback does not help with other competitions or indeed if re-applying for Hardiman Scholarship in future years. We would advise that you work with and get guidance from your supervisor on future application forms.

 

Staff (including Proposed Supervisors )

Q: When can we expect Hardiman Scholarship process to open for next intake?

A: The Hardiman Scholarships application system normally re-opens in early December for the following September intake. Details will be available on webpage https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/ in due course.

Q: If not on the FindaSupervisor webpage, how do I get listed?

A: The list of staff on FindaSupervisor webpage is a feed from IRIS. Please go to webpage here for guidance. If you have any queries on this, you will need to contact Noreen Goggin at noreen.goggin@universityofgalway.ie in the Research office to advise.

Q: Am I eligible to be a supervisor for a Hardiman PhD Scholar?

A: Eligibility requires:
2. Supervisors of Hardiman PhD Scholars must; 
i) Be eligible to be a primary supervisor at University of Galway. You will find the eligibility requirements in the University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes, 3.1 Supervisory Arrangements 

ii) Have a record of successful PhD supervision or be in the process of supervising and/or have availed of training on research supervision. 
University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes, section 3 requires:

As a postgraduate research project supervisor, you should meet the following criteria: 

• be an active scholar and researcher with good records of achievement and publication 

• have a PhD in a suitable academic area, or an equivalent record of achievement.

3.1.1. The College, on the nomination of the Head of School, will assign a permanent member of university academic staff to be the primary supervisor of the candidate’s research.

You may wish to seek confirmation from your School and College on 2i, as it is the HoS and College that are required to confirm such in any PhD admissions process.
You will need to confirm your eligibility under 2ii in any submission of a supervisor form.

Q: Can a proposed supervisor have more than one applicant apply each year?

A: Yes, a proposed supervisor can have more than one applicant apply each year, but they normally can only have one awardee/scholar each year.

Q: I have a current self-funded PhD student under my supervision, can they apply for a Hardiman Scholarship?

A: No, as per the https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships webpage, it states: ‘ Who are these scholarship for? Students commencing their PhD in September 2025.
Also under the eligibility section on https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships/eligibility/ it states ‘Applications will not be accepted from persons currently registered as PhD students or who previously were awarded a PhD.’

 

Q: Can proposed supervisor be one of the referees for application?

A: No, the proposed supervisor cannot be one of the referees.

Q: Can the applicant submit form on behalf of the supervisor?

A: No, any support forms submitted by the applicant will not be considered. As per  https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships Applicants must read the Applicant's Guide (available on the webpage)prior to completing the application form. Per the Applicant’s Guide and guidance given in the individual forms, the proposed supervisor must submit their supervisor form to hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie directly.

Q: Can the supervisor request extension to closing date deadline to submit their relevant form?

A: No, the same deadline applies to all. No extensions can be given. Any forms submitted/received by hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie will not be considered.

Referees 

Q: Can the proposed supervisor be one of the referees for application?

A: No the proposed supervisor cannot be one of the referees.

Q: Can the applicant submit form on behalf of the referee?

A: No, the same deadline applies to all. No extensions can be given. Any forms submitted/received by hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie will not be considered.

Q: Can the referees request extension to closing date deadline to submit their reference forms?

A: No, the same deadline applies to all. No extensions can be given. Any forms submitted/received by hrscholar@universityofgalway.ie will not be considered.