At a glance

• Value:  Fees + annual stipend of €25,000
• You must be applying for a PhD in UCC (see list of projects below)
• Questions about this scholarship can be directed to cubsphd@ucc.ie

Cork University Business School (CUBS) has benefited from a philanthropic donation to support one fully funded doctoral scholarship to be awarded in 2025 in the area of women, entrepreneurship and technology.

The scholarship is open to both Home/EU and international students and will cover fees (EU/non-EU) and a monthly stipend for a 4-year period. 

Eligibility to apply 

Applicants are invited to submit an application on one of the projects listed below:

Project Title: "I'm so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was a man": an exploratory study of women founders in  technology entrepreneurship 

Supervisory Team: Dr Gillian Barrett, Dr Ciara Fitzgerald, Dr Fiona Edwards Murphy

Project Title: Women Technopreneurs in the Agri-food Industry: Cross-country Case Studies of Lived Experiences, Economic Practices, Entrepreneurship Ecosystems and the Future Outlook

Supervisory Team: Dr Lana Repar, Dr Tracy Bradfield, Professor Joe Bogue

Project Title: Breaking the Digital Ceiling: Identity Work and Power Dynamics in Women's Tech Entrepreneurship - A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Ireland's Innovation Ecosystem 

Supervisory Team: Dr Marie Ryan, Dr Huanhuan Xiong, Prof. Eleanor Doyle

Project Title: Impact of technology on economic and non-economic outcomes of women entrepreneurs: Evidence from Ireland

Supervisory Team: Dr Stephen Onakuse, Dr Wendy Rowan, Dr Emma Beacom. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out to the project's supervisory team to discuss their application. Via an application form, applicants are asked to outline the project's aims, objectives, and central research questions (including hypotheses, if applicable), demonstrate how existing literature informs the proposal and theoretical framework, and explain its contribution to existing knowledge.
Applicants must also detail their research design and methodology, including data sources, methodological approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods) and overall research plan.

The following documents must be submitted:
1. A completed Application Form
2. CV (max. 2 pages)
3. Sample of recent academic writing/work that you authored (e.g. published paper, essay, section of thesis)
4. Evidence of satisfying the English language requirements (if English not first language).

Selection

Applications for the Scholarship will be reviewed by the Dean of CUBS (or their nominee(s)) and the CUBS Director of PGR.
A shortlist of candidates will be drawn up following the closing date for applications, and these shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview with the Dean (or their nominee(s)) and CUBS Director of PGR. The awardee will be the person who, in the opinion of the Dean (or their nominee(s)) and the  CUBS Director of PGR, can best evidence, through their written application and interview performance, that they are best placed to receive the  scholarship.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on the week commencing May 19th, 2025. The decisions of the Dean of CUBS (or a nominee) and the CUBS Director of PGR 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 with an anticipated start date in October 2025 and no later than January 2026.

Once registered, the recipient is expected to actively contribute to the progression of the project and their professional development by engaging in scholarly activities, including conference presentations and submissions to highimpact peer-reviewed journals. The recipient will be expected to satisfactorily complete their annual progress reviews and the required credits of coursework and training in line with UCC GSC policy.

Closing Date: The closing date for applications is 17:00 (local time) May 2^nd, 2025. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Presentations and interviews will take place online the week of May 19^th 2025. Informal enquiries can be sent to cubsphd@ucc.ie