At a glance

• Value: The scholarship includes MSc fee waiver and stipend which when combined will equal €25,000 per annum
• You must be a current UCC Student to be eligible for this scholarship
• Questions about this scholarship can be directed to

The Department of Food Business and Development periodically offers MSc Scholarships which are open to both Home/EU and international students. This two-year scholarship will cover fees (EU/non-EU) and a stipend which in total will amount to €25,000 per annum. This Sustainable Food Systems (Retail) scholarship is intended to promote research into the retail environment to inform the development of sustainable food systems. 

Once registered, the recipient is expected to actively contribute to the progression of the project and their professional development by engaging in scholarly activities. 

The recipient will be expected to satisfactorily submit a thesis of original work (of approximately 40,000 words) within two years of registration.

The scholarship will be opened for applications on Monday June 30th , 2025. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday September 1st 2025. 

Applicants will be asked to submit:
1.    A completed application form 
2.    CV (max. 2 pages)
3.    Details on previous research modules undertaken, if any, and related grades.
4.    Evidence of satisfying the English language requirements (if English not first language).
5.    The contact details of two academic referees.
6.    A 500 word research proposal relating to food retailing and sustainable food systems, detailing the research question, a short literature review and proposed research methodology. 
7.     A short personal statement on the applicant’s personal development objectives and motivation for pursuing a MSc by research.

Applications for the Scholarship will be reviewed by the HoD (FBD) or nominee. 

A shortlist of candidates will be drawn up following the closing date for applications. Those shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview and will be required to submit a 5 minute video on their research proposal in advance.
 
The interview panel will be comprised of two members of FBD and one member from the Department of Management and Marketing. The member of the Department of Management and Marketing will be invited by the HOD (FBD) in consultation with the HOD Management and Marketing. Decisions of the Head of the Dept FBD on the selection, interview and awarding process is final.

The successful scholarship awardee will then have to submit a formal application through the University application system.