Ad Astra PhD Scholarship at University College Dublin, Ireland (Fully Funded)
The Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarship Programme is University College Dublin's flagship, fully funded PhD scholarship open to outstanding domestic and international students. Administered independently by individual UCD schools, this highly competitive award covers full tuition, a €25,000 annual stipend, and a €4,000 research budget for up to four years.
Target region
Ireland
Submission deadline
Rolling cycles
Authority origin
ScholarshipsAds
Nexea intelligence
Automated scholarship analysis & strategic breakdown
"The Ad Astra PhD Scholarship is University College Dublin's top scholarship for new PhD students. It is fully funded, meaning it pays for your entire tuition (even if you are an international student), gives you a €25,000 allowance every year to live on, and provides €4,000 a year for your research trips and materials. Because different departments at UCD run their own applications, you have to apply directly to the specific department you want to study in."
Tips for success
- ◆Start early to identify potential supervisors and discuss your research proposal with them.
- ◆Tailor your proposal to fit the specific themes of the UCD school's Ad Astra call.
- ◆Ensure your academic references are strong and come from individuals who can vouch for your research potential.
Common mistakes
- ◆Submitting a general application to the central university instead of the specific hosting school
- ◆Failing to contact and secure a potential supervisor before applying
- ◆Missing the school-specific deadline, as deadlines vary across different UCD departments
- ◆Submitting a generic research proposal that does not align with the department's research strengths
Strategic recommendations
- ◆Clearly articulate how you will utilize the €4,000 annual research budget to enhance your doctoral studies.
- ◆Demonstrate academic excellence and a strong track record of research or relevant coursework in your application materials.
Benefits & Funding Scope
- ✓Full tuition fee waiver (covering both EU and non-EU rates)
- ✓Tax-free annual stipend of €25,000
- ✓An additional €4,000 per year research and travel budget
- ✓Funding renewable annually for up to four years subject to satisfactory academic progress
Application Roadmap
- 1
Identify and visit the website of the specific UCD School offering the Ad Astra call in your field.
- 2
Develop a comprehensive research proposal aligned with the school's research priorities.
- 3
Contact and secure a potential PhD supervisor within the chosen UCD school.
- 4
Submit your formal application, including all required documents, directly to the school following their specific guidelines.
Eligibility Profile
- ◆Must be a new doctoral entrant to University College Dublin
- ◆Open to all nationalities (both EU and non-EU applicants)
- ◆Must meet the specific academic and entry requirements of the hosting UCD school
- ◆Not available to students who have already commenced their PhD studies
System Verification
Funding Classification
Fully Funded
Academic Metric Target
PhD
Nexea Engine Audit
Fully Verified