Science without Borders - Ciência sem Fronteira

How to apply to DCU:

Applications are invited from aspiring PhD students who intend to apply for funding under the Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science without Borders scheme.

STEP 1:

Candidates must first agree a project with the relevant DCU Principal Investigator / supervisor. For a full list of the PhD projects currently on offer please visit the PhD Ireland website. Candidates should contact the project Principal Investigator directly to discuss the project and their candidature.

STEP 2:

Once the DCU Principal Investigator has agreed to support the candidate's application, the candidate should submit an application to DCU through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) www.pac.ie – please see below for notes and dates relevant to the Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Scholarship application deadlines:

1. Programme code: all prospective PhD students must select a DCU School to which to apply (see table below) - your proposed DCU supervisor will advise on the correct School to choose 
2. Funding source: enter “Science without Borders” as your funding source
3. PAC application fee: Science without Borders candidates are exempt from the €50 PAC application fee and should enter the following Fee Code on page 1 of the application form to avoid the charge: SWBDCU8247
4. Supporting documentation: The following documents must be submitted with your application:
   • Certified copies of your original transcript for all years of study (in original language and certified English translations)
   • Evidence of English language competency
   • Copy of research proposal
   • Copy of original birth certificate or valid passport

DCU PAC codes:

Visit the Graduate Studies Office website more information on the PAC application process.

STEP 3:

DCU will issue a Letter of Offer to successful candidates, as required to support their Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Scholarship application (see our Useful Links page for more information).

Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Scholarship application deadlines:

Please view the table below to view the upcoming Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Scholarship application deadlines (click here to view these dates on the Ciência sem Fronteiras website). To assist you with your application, relevant DCU application processing dates associated with these deadlines are also provided in the table below:

 Notes:

1. This is the recommended date by which applicants should submit their formal DCU application and supporting documentation to the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) (www.pac.ie) to ensure that they meet the relevant Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Scholarship application deadline. The ‘latest recommended date’ for receipt of applications is also given – we will continue to accept applications through PAC up to and after this date but we cannot guarantee that a Letter of Offer will be issued in time for the relevant scholarship application deadline. For more information on making an application through PAC see: http://www.dcu.ie/graduatestudies/how_to_apply.shtml.

Please note that prospective applicants must make contact with the DCU project supervisor / PI well in advance of the recommended deadline for PAC application to DCU to allow time for the supervisor to consider the applicant's candidacy and grant approval for a formal application to be made through PAC. 

2. This is the date by which DCU would expect to issue a Letter of Offer following receipt of a full and complete PAC application. Delays can be expected if applications are incomplete.

3. This is the deadline by which applicants must submit their Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Scholarship application – the application must include the Letter of Offer from DCU. 

DCU entry requirements:

In order to be admitted to the DCU PhD register, candidates must hold a Master's by Research degree. For more information please see: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/postgraduate/index.shtml#Entry

Note: candidates with a taught Master’s degree, or an honours primary degree grade I or II.1, may be admitted to the “PhD-track” register in the first instance, and progress to the full PhD register in Year 2 of their studies following successful completion of an oral examination and submission of a report.

*Notes on English language requirements:

• If, at the time of their PAC application to DCU, candidates do not meet the English language entry requirements set out above, it is recommended that evidence of their current level of English language competency is submitted with their application. The application will still be considered and DCU may issue a conditional Letter of Offer which states that the candidate must demonstrate achievement of the required level of English by the time of their registration with DCU.
• DCU Language Services (DCULS) offers English Language Courses - see: http://www.english.dcu.ie/

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Details of our Science Without Borders PhD projects can be found on the PhD Ireland website

For more information on postgraduate research in DCU, visit our Graduate Studies Office webpage