At a glance

• Value: Scholarship to include EU fee + stipend which in total will amount to €25,000 per annum. A fee-waiver for non-EU portion will be applied if non-EU awardee.
• Questions about this scholarship can be directed to Dr. Alan Collins at a.collins@ucc.ie or Niamh Kiely at N.Kiely@ucc.ie

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 and shopper behaviour to inform the development of sustainable food systems. 

Candidates with a strong academic track record (first or second class honours in a relevant primary degree e.g. consumer behaviour, management, marketing, applied psychology, or sociology, are invited to apply.

All applicants must meet the entry threshold and other requirements for MSc Commerce, including the minimum English language entry requirements.  These may be found here Link.

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 closing date for receipt of applications is Monday September 1^st  2025. 

Applicants are asked to complete the linked application form containing the following. Email submissions will not be accepted:

1.    CV (max. 2 pages)
   2.    Details on previous research modules undertaken, if any, and related grades.
   3.    Evidence of satisfying the English language requirements (if English not first language).
   4.    The contact details of two academic referees.
   5.    A 500 word research proposal relating to food retailing and shopper behaviour in the context of sustainable food systems, detailing the research question, a short literature review and proposed research methodology. 
   6.     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.

Any queries regarding the scholarship or application process should be made to Dr. Alan Collins at a.collins@ucc.ie or Niamh Kiely at N.Kiely@ucc.ie

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