Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarship Programme 2011/2012

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarship Programme 2011/2012

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarship Programme 2011/2012

For 2011/2012 Programme, it is intended to actively promote the use of the Growing Up in Ireland data and, subject to the receipt of suitable applications, at least one of the scholarships will be awarded to a study whose central research question(s) are addressed through analysis of GUI data. This data can be accessed through the Irish Social Science Data Archive ()

Key Dates for Applicants
Call open to applicants / February 2011
Deadline for electronic submission
of applications / 28th April 2011 (12 noon)
Deadline for receipt of
supporting documentation / 28th April 2011 (12 noon)

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarship Programme

Application Form 2011/2012

Please complete this application form in accordance with the ‘terms and conditions’ of the Programme and ensure that the following supporting material is forwarded in hard copy to the address below before 12 noon, 28th April 2011:

  • Proof of academic record: a non-returnable transcript of academic record, appropriately stamped or endorsed by the relevant third-level institution and/or copies of degree certificates which includes applicants name.
  • A signed applicant declaration (Document A)
  • A letter of acceptance or provisional acceptance to the degree from the Head of Department or his/her deputy at the relevant third-level institution;(Document B)
  • Appropriately sealed and signed references from two referees. (The research supervisor for each applicant must act as a referee. Where this is not the case, an explanatory note from the research supervisor should accompany the application); (Documents C and D)

When completing the application form please include

  • A description of the project for which the scholarship is being sought (NO MORE THAN 3,000 words) to include:
  • The working title of the project
  • Location of the proposed project within the current literature (NO MORE THAN 1,000 words);
  • Methodology, to include aims and objectives, methodological approach, methods, data analysis, ethical and other issues and progress to date. If ethical approval for the project has been granted, please submit proof of same (NO MORE THAN 1,000 words); and
  • Significance of the contribution, which the project will make, to progressing the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy (NO MORE THAN 500 words). This section should make explicit reference to the way in which the research will assist in the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy.
  • List of references used in this section (NO MORE THAN 500 words)

Please note that:

  • Incomplete applications will not be processed and will be returned.
  • If all hardcopy documents are not received on time and in full, an application will be deemed to be incomplete.

Please email the completed application form by 12 noon, Thursday 28th April,2011, to

All supporting hardcopy documentation must reach this office by 12 noon, Thursday 28th April and should be posted /delivered to:

Research Division/ Department of Health and Children

2nd Floor

Hawkins House

Hawkins Street

Dublin 2

Tel: 01-6743213Applications/Hardcopy documents sent by fax will not be accepted.

1.Applicant’s details:

Applicant’s details
Applicant’s Name:
Date of Birth:
Contact Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Nationality:
  1. Undergraduate Career:

Institution attended / Years registered / Title of qualifications /

Subjects

/ Awarding institution / Level/class/
grade / Date conferred
  1. Post-Graduate Career:

Institution attended / Years registered / Title of qualifications1 / Subjects / Awarding institution / Level/class/
grade2 / Date conferred

1If you have not yet graduated, please state when your examination results will be available.

2Please forward a non-returnable hardcopy transcript of results for each completed programme.

  1. Masters or Doctoral Degree by Research:

Type / Masters / Doctorate
Subject Area
Registered/Awarding Institution
Department where research is being/will be carried out
Month/Year in which research degree began/will begin
Proposed/actual finishing month/year
No. of years registered in programme
If a new student, have you:
(a) already applied to the programme
(b) been accepted
(c) been recommended
(d) identified a supervisor / Yes
□
□
□
□ / No
□
□
□
□ / Yes
□
□
□
□ / No
□
□
□
□
Name of Research Director/Supervisor
Have your studies been interrupted? / Yes
□ / No
□ / Yes
□ / No
□
  1. Working Title and Overview of proposed research project

(NO MORE THAN 200 words):

Title
Overview:
  1. Papers Published/Accepted for Publication:

Title / Where Published/Submitted / Year
  1. Conference Presentations:

Title / Conference / Year
  1. Other Relevant Academic/Professional Details:

9.Details of other grants, awards, scholarships or fellowships:

Description of grant, award, scholarship or fellowship / Source of grant, award, scholarship or fellowship / Period held / Amount

10.Academic References (to include research supervisor):

Academic references
Name of Referee 1: / Name of Referee 2:
Position: / Position:
Address: / Address:
Tel/E-mail: / Tel/E-mail:

11. Location of proposed project within the current literature (1000 words max)

12. Methodology (to include aims and objectives, methodological approach,methods, data analysis, ethical and other issues and progress to date. If ethicalapproval for the project has been granted, please submit proof of same. If ethicalapproval has not yet been granted, proof of ethical approval will be required whenit becomes available at the interim review date if appropriate;) (1000 words max)

13. Significance of the contribution which the project will make to progressingthe implementation of the National Children’s Strategy (500 words max)

14. References cited in sections 11, 12,and 13 (500 words max)

Document A- Applicant Declaration

(To be completed, printed, signed and returned in hardcopy by 12 noonThursday 28th April 2011)

Applicant’s details:

Applicant’s details
Applicant’s Name:
Date of Birth:
Contact Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Nationality:

Declaration

I declare that the particulars given in my application to the Office of the Minster for Children and Youth Affairs for a Research Scholarshipare correct and understand that the circulated ‘terms and conditions’ of this Programme apply. I accept that failure to abide by the ‘terms and conditions’ may disqualify me from this Programme.

Signature of applicant:______

Date:______

Document B-Endorsement by College Authorities

(Applicant details to be inserted, form to be printed, signed and stamped by Department Head or nominee and returned to the ResearchDivision in hard copy by 12 noonThursday 28th April 2011)

Applicant’s details:

Applicant’s details
Applicant’s Name:
Date of Birth:
Contact Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Nationality:
Type of Degree / Masters / Doctorate
Subject Area
Endorsement by College Authorities

I hereby endorse this application to the Office of the Minster for Childrenand Youth Affairs for a Research Scholarship according to the ‘terms and conditions’ of the Programme. I confirm that the applicant will pursue/is pursuing the degree stated in the box above.

Signature of Research Director/Supervisor:______

Date:______

Signature of Department Head/his or her nominee:______

Date:______

Document C – Referee Report (Referee 1)

Form to be downloaded from This form to be sent to and completed electronically by referee, printed and signed by referee and returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope. The envelope should be returned to the Research Division in hard copy by 12 noonThursday 28th April 2011

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarship Programme

2011/2012

Referee’s Report (Referee 1)

Part 1 (Applicant Details)

Applicant’s details
Name of applicant:
Address of applicant:
Title of project:

Part 2 (to be completed by referee)

I have known the applicant from ______to ______as his/her professor/lecturer/tutor/employer/research adviser/other capacity (please delete as appropriate).

How would you rank the applicant in comparison with other students whom you have supervised/assessed over the past five years?

Top 2% □Top 5% □Top 10% □Top 20%Other □

How would you rank the applicant in comparison with other students whom you have supervised/assessed in your professional career?

Top 2% □Top 5% □Top 10% □Top 20%Other □

Please comment on your rankings

Referee’s details
Name of referee:
Title:
Name of Institution:
Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:

Referee’s Comments:

Please comment on the description of the project for which the scholarship is being sought including the location of the proposed project within the current literature; the methodology, the significance of the contribution, which the project will make, to progressing the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy; and the academic development and professional distinction of the applicant.

Signature: ______Date: ______

Note to referee: Please return the completed form directly to the applicant in a sealed envelope with your signature on the back of the envelope.

Document D– Referee Report (Referee 2)

Form to be downloaded from This form to be sent to and completed electronically by referee, printed and signed by referee and returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope. The envelope should be returned to the Research Division in hard copy by 12 noonThursday 28th April 2011

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Research Scholarship Programme

2011/2012

Referee’s Report (Referee 2)

Part 1 (to be completed by applicant)

Applicant’s details
Name of applicant:
Address of applicant:
Title of project:

Part 2 (to be completed by referee)

I have known the applicant from ______to ______as his/her professor/lecturer/tutor/employer/research adviser/other capacity (please delete as appropriate).

How would you rank the applicant in comparison with other students whom you have supervised/assessed over the past five years?

Top 2% □Top 5% □Top 10% □Top 20%Other □

How would you rank the applicant in comparison with other students whom you have supervised/assessed in your professional career?

Top 2% □Top 5% □Top 10% □Top 20%Other □

Please comment on your rankings

Referee’s details
Name of referee:
Title:
Name of Institution:
Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:

Referee’s Comments:

Please comment on the description of the project for which the scholarship is being sought including the location of the proposed project within the current literature; the methodology, the significance of the contribution, which the project will make, to progressing the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy; and the academic development and professional distinction of the applicant.

Signature: ______Date: ______

Note to referee: Please return the completed form directly to the applicant in a sealed envelope with your signature on the back of the envelope.

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Research Scholarship Programme

2011/2012

CHECKLIST

Application form:

Applicants Name

Scholarship topic
Scholarship type (MA/PhD)
Scholarship duration (Number of years for which funding is sought)
Third level institute
Has the research commenced (Y/N)?
Will the research use Growing Up in Ireland data (Y/N)?
Does your application include the following:
Working Title and Description of project / □
Location of project / □
Significance of contribution / □
Methodology / □
List of References / □

Checklist of Itemsto be forwarded in hard copy to:

Research Division

2nd Floor

Hawkins House

Hawkins Street

Dublin 2

Document A
Signed Applicant Declaration / □
Document B
Signed and Stamped Endorsement by college authorities
Reference 1 (Signed and sealed) / □
Document C
Reference 1 (Signed and sealed) / □
Document D
Reference 2 (Signed and sealed) / □
Proof of academic record / □

Please note it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all hardcopy documents reach the Research Division before the deadline. Documents which arrive after the deadline will not be accepted and will render an application incomplete.

Terms and Conditions

  1. The purpose of this Programme is to promote the research capacity in relation to children’s issues within the Republic of Ireland. This Programme will provide funding to pursue one of the following post-graduate degrees at a recognised third-level institution in the Republic of Ireland:
  • A masters degree by research;
  • A doctoral degree by research.

Applications to pursue one-year taught degrees, or degrees where a thesis constitutes the minor part of the programme, are not eligible.

  1. This Programme supports research, which is directly related to progressing the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy and which might not normally be considered for funding by mainstream sources.
  1. A recognised third-level institution must be within the meaning of Section One of the Higher Education Act, 1971 and/or be in receipt of public funding and be approved by the Minister for Education and Science for the purposes of the Free Fees Initiative.
  1. Candidates from any country may apply. However, successful applicants must:
  • Maintain their principal residence in the Republic of Ireland during the term of the scholarship.
  • If not a national of a member country of the European Union, must satisfy the State’s regulations on immigration and have the support of his/her host institution with respect to these regulations and requirements. Arrangements with respect to immigration will be a matter for settlement between the proposed awardee and his/her host institution in Ireland.
  1. Candidates must have the qualifications to register for, and complete, a post-graduate degree by major thesis.
  1. Those who already hold a doctoral degree, or who hope to attain a doctoral degree for a project other than one which is being presented under this Programme, are not eligible.
  1. Applicants must be registered for one of the degrees listed in paragraph 1 or, if they are not registered, must have been provisionally accepted by a Head of Department/School. The award of the scholarship will be contingent on the applicant being formally accepted by the relevant department/school.
  1. The applicant’s Head of Department or his/her deputy must endorse the application form and confirm the type of degree that the candidate will pursue/is pursuing(Document B)
  1. These scholarships will be called the ‘Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Research Scholarships’.
  1. Applicants should complete and return the application form electronically and the supporting materials (see paragraph 11and checklist)in hard copy to the address below. The application form and all hardcopy documents must be submitted before the application is considered to be complete. Incomplete applications will not be processed. The word count must be adhered to.
  1. Applicants should submit the following supporting material in hard copy:
  2. Proof of academic record: a non-returnable transcript of academic record, appropriately stamped or endorsed by the relevant third-level institution and/or copies of degree certificates which includes the applicant’s name;
  3. A signed applicant declaration (Document A)
  4. A letter of acceptance or provisional acceptance to the degree from the Head of Department or his/her deputy at the relevant third-level institution;(Document B)
  5. Appropriately sealed and signed references from two referees. (The research supervisor for each applicant must act as a referee. Where this is not the case, an explanatory note from the research supervisor should accompany the application); (Documents C and D-download from )

The electronic application form must contain the following:

  • A description of the project for which the scholarship is being sought (NO MORE THAN 3,000 words) to include:
  • The working title of the project
  • Location of the proposed project within the current literature (NO MORE THAN 1,000 words);
  • Methodology, to include aims and objectives, methodological approach, methods, data analysis, ethical andother issues and progress to date. If ethical approval for the project has been granted, please submit proof of same (NO MORE THAN 1,000 words). If ethical approval has not yet been granted, proof of ethical approval will be required when it becomes available at the interim review date if appropriate;
  • Significance of the contribution which the project will make to progressing the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy (NO MORE THAN 500 words)
  • List of references used in this section (NO MORE THAN 500 words)
  1. Applications, which may be short listed, will be assessed and the scholarships awarded by an Evaluation Group comprised of members of the Research Development Advisory Group, which was established under the National Children’s Strategy. The applications will be placed in an order of merit based on an assessment under the following headings:
  • Location of the proposed project within the current literature: 20%
  • Methodology, to include aims and objectives, methodological approach, methods, data analysis, ethical other issues and progress to date: 35%
  • Significance of the contribution, which the project will make, to progressing the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy: 15%
  • The academic development and professional distinction of the applicant: 30%

The minimum standard required is 50% of the total marks in each of the categories of the marking scheme outlined above.

The Evaluation Group decision on the award of these scholarships will be final.

  1. The scholarship is valued at €16,000 per annum, which will cover maintenance and support for fieldwork/archival research. The payments will be made through the third-level institution to the scholar in two equal instalments in November and March. University/college fees will also be paid for the successful applicants. Applicants must inform the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if they are in receipt of other grants, awards, scholarships or fellowships and the source and amount of funding being received.

Those in receipt of other grants, awards, scholarships or fellowships in excess of €10,000 are not eligible.

14.Scholarships may not be held or continued at an institution other than that specified in the application form or held to provide funding for a project other than what has been presented in the application form, except with the prior agreement of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

  1. Scholarships will be awarded only to those who are full-time students and who will engage full-time in research during the period of the scholarship. Scholars may be allowed to engage in a limited number of teaching hours per week in the institution where the degree is being pursued, subject to the prior agreement of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the scholar’s supervisor.
  1. Scholarships will be awarded for periods of one, two or three years at the discretion of the Evaluation Group.
  • Scholars who are pursuing masters’ degrees by research may be funded (depending on the date of their first registration for such degrees) for one or two years, provided that they have been registered for such a degree for no longer that one year prior to October 2010.
  • Scholars who are pursuing doctoral degrees may be given one, two or three years funding (depending on the date of their first registration for such degrees) provided that they have been registered for this degree for no longer than three years prior to October 2010.

Allowances may be made in the above conditions for those who have taken leave from their degree programmes; however, details of these circumstances must be included with the application form for the scholarships.

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