Creative Connections Initiative

GET CREATIVE WITH CONNECTIONS:

We are inviting postgraduate researchers in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences to connect with PhDs and Masters’ level researchers from other Colleges in UCC or other academic institutions to collaborate on creative and academic one-off projects. We are also calling on postgraduate researchers from other academic institutions (locally, nationally, internationally) to make connections with the CACSSS doctoral researchers (listed on the webpage).

WHO MAY APPLY:

Anyone from within University College Cork or beyond may begin the conversation to plan an event but connections must be made with at least one doctoral researcher listed on the CACSSS Doctoral Researchers webpage, and that person will act as the Principal Applicant.

AWARD DETAILS:

For nine months of each academic year (every six to eight weeks) the Graduate School in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences will launch a Creative Connections initiative on the Graduate School Webpage. An award of up to €600 will go to a group of doctoral researchers who propose an exciting collaborative project between doctoral researchers from different schools, colleges, or from another university. Existing projects, or established events, may be eligible for support, although it is strongly recommended that an innovative and novel aspect be introduced to these. Proposals might include any of the following (among other possibilities):

• Extramural events might include: performances, interviews, guest talks, exhibitions, readings, presentations, site-specific installations, and more;
• Small conferences or symposia;
• Guest speakers, creatives, performers, or researchers of significant stature in their field;
• Launches of events, or events themselves, with substantial potential for media attention or institutional outreach impact.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION:

Applicants must adhere to the following conditions:

• The Principal Applicant must be a CACSSS-registered doctoral researcher at the time of submission, and must have obtained approval from her/his Lead Supervisor as a part of the submission process
• The Principal Applicant must download, complete and sign the Creative Connections Application Form.
•  Applications must be submitted to the CACSSS Graduate School (Graduateschool.cacsss@ucc.ie.) on or before 12 noon on the date given on the Graduate School Webpage (see banner)
• Applicants may submit no more than two proposals in a given academic year
• The Principal Applicant must acknowledge CACSSS and the Graduate School in all literature circulated to publicise the event; 
• The proposed event must be held before the end of the academic year in which the application is made
• All awarded funds must be spent within the six-month period after the successful applicants have been informed of the result of the competition.
• Prior to the event, the Principal Applicant must ensure that appropriate Purchase Orders have been agreed, and set up by the Graduate School for all monies allocated (these will cover, primarily, elements for which UCC normally covers expenses: travel, catering, printing, etc.);

ADJUDICATION:

Submissions will be evaluated, and awards offered, according to the following guidelines:

• The Vice Head of College (Graduate Studies) will oversee adjudication of the submissions, with a selection panel comprising representatives from the Graduate Studies and Research and Innovation The members should represent the main blocks of academic research activity within the college: arts/humanities, social sciences, and arts (practice).
•  Applications with be scored on four categories:
• Innovation and originality [30 marks];
• Feasibility and organisation [20 marks];
• Strength of the proposal [20 marks];
• Potential for impact within and beyond the university [30 marks].
•  The Vice Head of College (Graduate Studies) will ensure the announcement of results for each round within six weeks of the submission deadline;
• The Vice Head of College (Graduate Studies) will write a short report on each of the submissions adjudicated, and deemed unsuccessful, which will be provided to the Principal Applicant within two months of the date of posting of awards;
•  Offers will be made subject to approval by the Head of College.

For queries on the application procedure or the Creative Connections - Terms and Conditions of the award, please contact Ms. Karen Coughlan at Graduateschool.cacsss@ucc.ie.