Erasmus Mundus (AgTraIn) Scholarships

Overview

Agricultural Transformation by Innovation (AgTraIn) is a three-year world-class Joint Doctoral Programme. AgTraIn is part of the Erasmus Mundus programme initiated by the European Commission to enhance and promote European higher education throughout the world. The language of the programme is English.

AgTraIn has a policy of equal opportunities for men and women and people with special needs.

The AgTraIn Objective and Focus

The main objective of the AgTraIn programme is to develop an elite European school within the topic of successful development and transformation of farming systems in the developing world. Thematically, the AgTraIn programme deals with agricultural production chains, the natural resource base and the involved communities. The scope of AgTraIn will range from the technical aspects of agricultural production, over post-harvest management, processing and value-addition, to market access and commercialisation. A key feature of the programme is the involvement of key stakeholders in identifying research questions and participating in project formulation. The emphasis is on applied research.

The AgTraIn Consortium

The AgTraIn programme provides you with a single entry-point access to top-level and up-to-date research on agricultural transformation within the scientific fields of the programme. The programme is jointly developed and delivered by a six-university consortium consisting of

• University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Universita degli Studi di Catania, Spain
• University College of Cork, Ireland
• Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain
• Montpellier SupAgro, France
• Wageningen University, The Netherlands

PhD degrees

Successful completion of the AgTaIn Programme results in a joint degree. An overview of the degrees is presented in the table below:

Degree awarding institution	PhD degree
University of Copenhagen	Ph.D - Philosophiae Doctor PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Universita degli Studi di Catania	Dottore di Ricerca Ph.D
University College of Cork	Ph.D (Food Science and Technology)
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid	Programa de Doctorado en Planificacion de proyectos de Desarrollo Rural y Gestion Sotenible Ph.D programme in Planning of Rural Development projects and Susatinable Management
Montpellier SupAgro	Diplome de doctoeur du Centre international d'etudes superieures en sciences agronomiques
Wageningen University	Doctorate in the field of Production Ecology and Resource Conservation
University of Padova	Ph.D - Philosophiae Doctor Ph.D - Doctor of Philosophy

Fellowships

Each fellowship is made up of three components: installation grant, operational funds and salary. 

The three main components in AGTRAIN EMJD fellowships

		Category A scholarships(36months)	Category Bscholarships               (36 months)
I	Fixed contribution to travel, installation and any other type of costs	€7500	€3000 - if mobility to associated partners
II	Operational funds (participation costs, insurance coverage, etc.)	€ 21600	€21600
III	Salary	€100800	€100800

Category A and B fellowships are identical except that the first are eligible to receive 7500 EUR to cover travel and installation costs (received in two installments), whereas Category B fellowships include 3000 EUR to cover travel and installation costs when the fellowship holder visits an associate partner outside Europe.

All AGTRAIN doctorates will be employed on contracts within a laboratory-based field.

Application and election Procedures

NEXT CALL  - information available 1 June 2012

AgTraIn only issues one annual call for applications covering both EU and third-country applicants. The annual call announces selected research topics relevant for the application round.  

Application Form and Guidelines

When the call is opened you can access the Application Form here. For directions on how to complete the application, you will also be able to download the Guidelines to completing the AgTraIn doctoral candidate application form.

Main contents of the application form:

• Indication of selected research topic from the AgTraIn PhD Topic Catalogue
• Project synopsis of max 1500 words
• A sample of own scientific text
• Certified copy of second university degree(s) certificate
• Brief Curriculum Vitae
• English proficiency (min score IELTS 7.0 , TOEFL: Paper-based 600/IBT 100)
• Two academic references

Evaluation criteria

Eligible applications are evaluated by the AgTraIn Assessment Committee according to three main criteria:

• Academic potential as indicated by (i) a very good second university degree; (ii) a research synopsis that closely relates to one of the five research subjects announced in the call, and demonstrate insight and interest in the subject, (iii) documented research achievements, e.g. publications in international journals with peer review. This is the most important criterion 
• English proficiency
• Academic references

Short-listing

Based on this, the best applicants are short-listed and invited to develop a full project proposal. Short-listed applicants will be informed by email. They are put in direct contact with the potential supervisors, who will assist the applicant in developing the full project proposal. Within a deadline of 5-6 weeks, the applicant submits the full proposal on a standard format to the AgTraIn Secretariat.

Interview

Each shortlisted applicant is invited, if recommended by their principal supervisor, to present their proposal before a Scientific Committee, consisting of at least two members of the AgTraIn Consortium Commission.  Applicant costs are covered by the Consortium.

Start date

Selected doctoral candidates should expect to start their doctoral studies around 1 September 2013.

Erasmus Mundus Secretariat

For further information on e.g. the programme, admission procedures and deadlines please contact us at

agtrain@life.ku.dk

You are also welcome to write to

Erasmus Mundus Secretariat

University of Copenhagen

Faculty of Life Sciences

Bülowsvej 17

DK-1870 Frederiksberg

Denmark

Phone +45 35332048

http://www.agtrain.eu/



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Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students

Overview

The Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) has launched the 2012-2013 round of its Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. For the 2012/13 round, applications will be submitted via an online application system. Please note the three deadlines for this scheme:

1. The deadline for applicants to the scheme is exactly 4 pm (GMT) onTuesday 20th March 2012.
2. The deadline for referees and supervisors is exactly 4 pm (GMT) onTuesday 27th March 2012.
3. The closing date for endorsement by the research office of the proposed host institution is exactly 4 pm (GMT) on Tuesday 3rd April 2012.

Applicants should carefully consult the Instructions for Use of the E-Systemdocument in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions before registering with the E-System. Both documents are available on the E-System Ribbon atwww.irchss.ie/eapp.

Frequently Asked Questions are also available on the E-System Ribbon atwww.irchss.ie/eapp. Queries not addressed on the FAQ list may be sent to info@irchss.ie.  The question and answer will then be posted on the link above. For reasons of transparency and fairness, IRCHSS will not enter into individual written or telephone correspondence and, in particular, will not be in a position to review any eligibility issues with applicants following submission of an application. Please note that the FAQ system applies to everyone – applicants, research officers, supervisors and referees.

Applicants will be informed by letter only of the outcome. The secretariat will not discuss either the issuing of results or the actual results of the scheme over the telephone. Please do not telephone the office in this regard.

To apply for this scheme please click here

FAQ

Source: http://www.irchss.ie/scheme/irchss-government-ireland-postgraduate-scholarship-scheme-2012-13


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2012 North/South Postgraduate Scholarships Scheme

Overview

Universities Ireland, which promotes collaboration between universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), the largest energy company on the island of Ireland, are offering five scholarships to students undertaking a recognised Master's or the first year of a PhD programme (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction. Dublin Institute of Technology and the Open University in Ireland are also partners in this scheme, which has been running since 2005.

These scholarships are worth €15,000 (approx. Stg £12,500) each. This year three of the scholarships will be in the areas of energy and engineering, and will be co-sponsored by Universities Ireland and ESB. Two more will be in another area - arts, business, science and social science - and will be funded by Universities Ireland alone. These scholarships must be taken up for the academic year 2012-2013.


The aim of this scheme is to encourage outstanding students from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to cross the border to undertake postgraduate study and experience life in the other Irish jurisdiction. Because it is 50% sponsored by ESB, there is a particular emphasis this year on the areas of energy and engineering, and the scheme aims to help build all-island innovation in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) which will be crucial in moving the island towards the kind of sustainable knowledge society that is vital both for its future prosperity and environmental sustainability. It is thus a scheme which has been conceived both to support the continuing peace process in Northern Ireland and to train highly skilled postgraduates to contribute to a new phase of economic and environmental development for the island as a whole.

THE SPONSORING FIRM

This year there will be one sponsoring firm, the ESB, which, with its recent purchase of Northern Ireland Electricity, has become the largest energy company on the island. The ESB is a vertically integrated utility with generation, supply, transmission and distribution network businesses that bring electricity to over two million customers throughout the Republic of Ireland. It operates internationally through its subsidiary ESB International.
Among the postgraduate subject areas that ESB will be particularly interested in supporting are engineering in all its forms (electrical and electronic engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and chemical engineering); energy (particularly renewable energy and smart grids) and energy management; environmental monitoring and modelling; pollution prevention and control; sustainable development and climate change.

This list is not exhaustive. Candidates should contact the Centre for Cross Border Studies (see details below) for advice on other relevant subjects.

The two non-energy/engineering scholarships will continue to be funded by Universities Ireland alone.

ELIGIBILITY

These scholarships are open to all students currently registered at an Irish or a Northern Irish university, including the Open University or Dublin Institute of Technology (or who have graduated within the past five years) proposing to take up a place on a Master's or the first year of a PhD programme which would require them to locate to the other Irish jurisdiction. They are also open to currently registered students at an Irish or a Northern Irish university including the Open University or Dublin Institute of Technology (or who have graduated within the past five years) wishing to follow a cross-border Master's or the first year of a PhD programme involving a significant period of study in the other Irish jurisdiction.

These scholarships are open to all students at an Irish or Northern Irish university including the Open University or DIT (or who have graduated within the past five years) regardless of their nationality or birthplace.

These scholarships are also open to Irish or Northern Irish-born students currently registered at (or who have graduated within the past five years from) a British university(i.e. a university in England, Scotland or Wales) who wish to relocate to the Irish jurisdiction they were not born in to undertake a Master's or the first year of a PhD programme (or to follow a postgraduate programme with a significant period of study in the Irish jurisdiction they were not born in).

The fundamental requirement for eligibility for this scheme is a willingness to relocate to the other Irish jurisdiction for a whole year or a major part of a year in order to undertake a Master's or the first year of a PhD programme.

Students who are not eligible to apply to this scheme include:

1. Students not currently registered at Irish or British universities;
2. Students who have not graduated from Irish or British universities in the past five years;
3. Republic of Ireland students wishing to do postgraduate study at a Republic of Ireland university;
4. Northern Ireland students wishing to do postgraduate study at a Northern Ireland university;
5. Students from either Irish jurisdiction wishing to do postgraduate study at an English, Scottish or Welsh university;
6. Students at English, Scottish or Welsh universities who have not been born in Ireland or Northern Ireland wishing to do postgraduate study at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland;
7. Students at Institutes of Technology (other than Dublin Institute of Technology) in the Republic of Ireland;
8. Students who have already commenced a Masters or PhD (by coursework or research).
9. Students who have previously received one of these scholarships.

Past experience has shown that we receive queries from students who have particular university experiences and personal backgrounds which may not fit exactly into these categories. The Secretary of Universities Ireland (in consultation with the Universities Ireland Executive Committee) reserves the right to decide which of these applicants are eligible to apply to this scheme.

THE ESSAY

To be considered for this award, applicants will be required to write a short essay (1400-1500 words) explaining why they wish to study in the other Irish jurisdiction and how they believe their studies will enhance innovation for a prosperous and sustainable island in their chosen subject (for the energy and engineering scholarships); or understanding of all-island perspectives in their chosen subject (for the other scholarships).

Shortlisting for the scholarships will be based on this essay. The shortlisting panel will look for a clear outline of the course of study (or research topic) to be undertaken along with a coherently argued case why this course or topic should be undertaken in the other Irish jurisdiction. Applicants should explain clearly and cogently how they think their studies will contribute to the North-South or all-island dimension of their chosen subject.

TIMETABLE

The closing date for applications for this scholarship scheme will be Friday 25th May 2012 (5 pm). The winning applicants will be selected by a high level panel comprising two university presidents (one from the North, one from the South) and a senior executive from ESB. Shortlisting will take place in early-mid June.

The successful applicants will be informed of the panel's decision in early July. Those with energy/engineering scholarships will meet ESB executives between July and September to discuss a possible work placement or other collaboration to assist them in their studies. Students will be expected to engage seriously with ESB by ensuring that all possibilities of collaboration for mutual benefit are explored. These are generous awards from ESB in a difficult economic period, and Universities Ireland expects the company's financial commitment to be acknowledged and reciprocated in a significant way by the successful students.

50% of the scholarship will be paid at the beginning of the student's postgraduate year in autumn 2012; the remaining 50% will be paid in spring 2013. This second payment will be dependent on a satisfactory progress report countersigned by a course or research supervisor, and (in the case of the energy/engineering scholarships) evidence that a work placement has been taken up (or of other serious engagement with ESB). The scholarship recipients will also be expected to provide Universities Ireland with a short report at the end of the scholarship period.

Recipients of the scholarships will be required to furnish proof that they have been offered a place on a recognised Master's or PhD programme in the other Irish jurisdiction or on a cross-border Master's or PhD programme. The organisers reserve the right not to award the full number of scholarships if the standard of applications is insufficiently high.

Download the application form.

For further information, including an application form, contact Patricia McAllister, Universities Ireland, The Centre for Cross Border Studies, 39 Abbey Street, Armagh BT61 7EB, Northern IrelandTel. 028-37-511550 [048 from Republic of Ireland] Email: p.mcallister@qub.ac.uk

Please address queries about eligibility to Andy Pollak, Secretary, Universities Ireland Tel. 028-37-511550 [048 from Republic of Ireland] Email: a.pollak@qub.ac.uk

http://www.universitiesireland.ie/news/scholarship2012.php



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Erasmus Mundus (DESEM) Scholarships

Overview

The National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM) in Ireland; the University of St. Andrews (UStA) in Scotland; and Université Henri Poincaré Nancy (UHP) in France are offering a two-year double Master Programme, named Erasmus Mundus MSc in Dependable Software Systems (DESEM) Click here for a printable Course Brochure.

Course Objective: Our objective is to provide students with the knowledge, skill and in-depth technical understanding of the key concepts required to design and build dependable software systems. This will be achieved by bringing together the theory and practice of software development and, in particular, through the transfer of knowledge from the classroom via research driven and commercially relevant projects.

Degree Description: The double Erasmus Mundus MSc in Dependable Software Systems (DESEM) will be achieved over two years through the allocation of 120 ECTS. Each student on the integrated programme will study in two of the three partner universities and countries, achieving a degree from each university in which they accomplish 60 ECTS. These degree awards are:

Erasmus Mundus MSc in Rigorous Software Development (NUIM, Ireland)
Erasmus Mundus MSc in Software Engineering (UStA, Scotland)
Diplôme de Master (Mention Informatique) (UHP, France).


Degree

A student will achieve the double Erasmus Mundus MSc in Dependable Software Systems, through the award of two of the above degrees.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The following criteria must be fulfilled by students applying for the Erasmus Mundus MSc in Dependable Software Systems:

• An honours degree in Computer Science or a related discipline with an average grade of 60% (equivalent to a B, II.1, or assez bien) or above. Extensive industrial experience may be considered as equivalent to academic qualification although such applicants will normally be subject to interview by the consortium.
• English-Language certificate (for non-native speakers of English only). Since the language of instruction is primarily English, students whose first language is not English must provide proof of a minimum knowledge of English such as an IELTS (>= 6.5) certificate or equivalent.

The language of instruction in L’Université Henri Poincaré, Nancy is English. However, it is recommended that students who intend to study in France provide proof of a minimum knowledge of French that will help them in their day-to-day living (for instance B1 or B2 in DALF).

Students who do not have such knowledge will have the option of studying the French Language through courses offered during the their course. Letters of motivation which form part of the application requirements should include information about the students willingness to learn the French Language.

Applicants: SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA FORM may be downloaded here

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS

Category A scholarships

• Contribution to travel, installation and any other type of costs: € 4 000 for a one-year EMMCs; € 8 000 for courses longer than one year
• Maximum contribution to the EMMC participation costs (including insurance coverage): € 4 000 / semester (€8000)
• Monthly allowance: € 1 000 / month

Category B scholarships

• Maximum contribution to the EMMC participation costs (including insurance coverage): € 2 000 / semester (€4000)
• Monthly allowance: € 500 / month

The number of monthly allowances is calculated from the start to the end of the course and includes, if applicable, the summer break between two academic years. The monthly allowance amounts may be increased in order to help cover the additional costs of students with special needs; EMMCs concerned will have to inform the Agency accordingly in the context of their annual student scholarship applications.

Scholar Scholarships:

Living allowance (including travel costs): € 1 200 / week for a minimum duration of 2 weeks and a maximum duration of 3 months per scholar

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: Apply as above before January 31^st 2012

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS

• Candidates apply online using the DESEM online application form (http://pac.nuim.ie) using the course code MHG60
• There is an application fee of €45 which is paid directly to PAC. Page 3 of the application form provides more details.
• Note that the application may be done in stages – the system will recall your previous data entry, and allow you to modify it
• All supporting documents MUST be either uploaded via the 'Application Status' from the online applications system (PAC) or posted to the Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway, Ireland. Required documentation can be scanned in and submitted to the PAC system (using “BROWSE” and “UPLOAD FILE”).

If you have enquiries on the application procedure, or on filling in the form, please email erasmus.mundus@cs.nuim.ie  or phone +353-1-7083847

Documents that should be uploaded to support the application:

• Copies of official transcripts of results for all qualifications listed in your application.
• Transcripts of results in languages other than English should be accompanied by a translation into English PLUS a copy of the original certificate indicating the award.
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from the institution your have graduated/will graduate from)
• Your CV (we recommend that you use the European Format: see http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/ for details)
• A copy of your Birth Certificate or valid Passport
• Written evidence of competency in the English Language (for non-native speakers of the English language)
• Written evidence of competency in the French Language (for non-native speakers of the French language who intend to study in France as part of this programme)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR SCHOLARS

Applicants for scholar positions should consist of a Curriculum Vitae, appropriate evidence of qualifications and scholarly activities and a statement of the potential contribution that the scholar would bring to the Erasmus Mundus MSc in Dependable Software Systems. Scholars may apply to the Masters consortium at any time. Normally one scholar position per institution will be offered in each year.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Application Deadlines

* 31^st January 2012 for scholarship applications to the DESEM course

* 30 ^th June 2012 for non-scholarship applications to the DESEM course (non-EU and EU applicants)

Other Important Dates

* Acknowledgement of receipt of submission of application: 1 week (5 working days)

* Notification if application is ineligible: immediately after the eligibility check is complete

* Notification for main and reserve list students: after 29/2/2012

* Notification of success for main list students: late April (date to be set by the Erasmus Mundus programme administration)

* Notification of success for reserve list students: May

* Students must make a formal acceptance of their offer within 10 days of the offer being made

*Appeal deadline: 31^st May 2012

* The course starts in September, 2012

INCOMPLETE QUALIFICATIONS

If I have not yet completed my course can I still apply?

It is expected that most students will apply before they have completed their final examinations/language certification. Such applications will be assessed on their previous results, and may be offered a conditional scholarship. Students who are offered a conditional must provide their final results and a copy of their diploma/full certified transcript by June 30^th 2012, and will be notified within 5 working daysof final acceptance if they meet the conditions or rejection of they do not.

OTHER INFORMATION THAT I SHOULD BE AWARE OF REGARDING MY APPLICATION

• Information relating to individuals (personal data) is collected and used in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on "the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data"
• The names of all successful candidates will be published on the course website
• If you are selected (proposed for a scholarship, put on the reserve list, or enrolled on a self paying basis) your data may be used for the purposes of evaluating the Erasmus Mundus Programme and will be made available to the Agency, the EM National Structures, the EU Delegations and the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association, acting as stakeholders of the programme

If you have enquiries on the application procedure, or on filling in the form, please email erasmus.mundus@cs.nuim.ie  or phone +353-1-7083847

Official website: http://www.cs.nuim.ie/



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