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Funding Schemes for Postdoctoral Fellows & Research Fellows

Funding Schemes for Postdoctoral Fellows I & II and Research Fellows.


Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Fellows are a key part of life in ICS. They make significant contributions to existing research projects in the school, develop and lead their own research projects, provide expert teaching and co-supervision, and take lead roles in the writing of grant proposals for Irish, European and international research funding. ICS and UCD provide significant support and opportunities for career development including training, networking and professional development to enable Postdocs and Research Fellows to build a successful career.

ICS is seeking expressions of interest from talented Postdocs and Research Fellows interested in joining the school through the IRC or MSCA funding schemes listed below.

Important:

  • Members of faculty in ICS will only consider high quality applicants who follow the steps outlined below and who meet the required criteria of UCD and the funding scheme. 
  • Prospective applicants must familiarise themselves with the details of the funding scheme they intend to apply for.
  • Prospective applicants must have a PhD and meet the criteria of the funding scheme they intend to apply for.
  • Prospective applicants must have the explicit permission of a member of faculty in ICS before using their name to apply to a funding scheme.
Expressions of Interest
Step 1

Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Fellows interested in joining ICS should review the funding schemes listed. In particular, they should pay attention to:

  • Eligibility requirements
  • Application processes
  • Submission dates
  • Required documentation
  • Visa requirements
Timelines

Prospective applicants should pay particular attention to submission deadlines of the funding schemes listed below. Ideally, applicants should send an expression of interest email to potential supervisors a minimum of 3-4 months (or more) before a funding scheme’s submission deadline. The closer to the deadline an applicant contacts a potential supervisor, the less likely they will agree to supervise them. 

Step 2

Prospective applicants should review the profiles of the ICS staff members (opens in a new window)on this webpage  to identify one whose research and experience aligns with their own. 

Step 3

Prospective applicants should carefully prepare the following and include them in their expression of interest email.

  • Cover Letter: Include a 1 - 2 page cover letter introducing themselves, their research experience, outlining why they want to work with their chosen faculty member in ICS and the topic / research they want to pursue.
  • Curriculum Vitae: A detailed CV demonstrating their academic journey and their research experience.
  • Research Proposal Applicants should submit a 1 - 2 page document outlining which research funding source they would like to target, a high level description of their research proposal, and why they would be a suitable applicant.
Step 4

Applicants should send their expression of interest email to their chosen ICS faculty member with the required information and documents outlined above. 

Fundings Schemes

IRC Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2025

Please check the IRC website for full details of the call.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 

IMPORTANT: ICS is no longer accepting expressions of interest for MSCA applications this year.

ICS invites expressions of interest from talented Postdocs and Research Fellows to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are among the most sought after schemes due to their high level of funding and support, their focus on excellence in research, and because they can have a significant positive impact on researchers’ careers. 

Applicants may apply to either the MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowships (1 or 2 years) or the MSCA Global Postdoctoral Fellowships (2 or 3 years). Full details of each are available on the (opens in a new window)MSCA website.

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