Fundación Comunidad Esperanza y Justicia Internacional

The George J. Mitchell Postgraduate Scholarships

View the online application

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship is a national competitive fellowship sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance. The Mitchell Scholarship, named to honor the former U.S. Senator’s pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public service and community. Twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Applicants are judged on three criteria: academic excellence, leadership, and a sustained commitment to service and community. The Mitchell Scholarship provides tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend. Download a printable brochure.

How To Apply

We are now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 George J. Mitchell Scholarships. To apply, please go to the online application. Applications and procedures can change year to year so be sure to use the correct application form. Prospective applicants are urged to study the Frequently Asked Questions and the profiles of past Scholars to learn about the program, the selection process, and the qualities we seek in a Mitchell Scholar. On the basis of the application submissions, approximately 20 finalists are invited for interviews by the Selection Committee, which will be held this year on Saturday, November 17th, 2007. We also may conduct a number of semi-finalist interviews before determining the finalists.

Because the Mitchell program has only 20 national finalists for 12 awards, we expect that a finalist will be committed to accept a Scholarship if offered. The Mitchell Scholarship is only for one year and those who prefer a multi-year academic scholarship should apply for other fellowship programs. Applicants must be prepared to declare their priority interest in the Mitchell Scholarship if invited to be a finalist.

Questions about the Mitchell Scholarships can be addressed to the Director, Mary Lou Hartman, at 703-841-5843 or by email at hartman@us-irelandalliance.org.

Science Foundation Ireland invests in academic researchers and research teams who will generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies, and competitive enterprises in their fields through a large number of programmes. SFI also advances co-operative efforts among education, government, and industry that support its fields of emphasis and promotes Ireland’s ensuing achievements around the world. One component of the SFI strategy is a series of investments which will increase and sustain the participation of women within the Irish research community. SFI’s objective is to encourage and support the development of mechanisms and practices which will ensure that there is a fully competitive technical workforce to build a knowledge driven economy and to benefit from the full participation of women in research-based careers.

The Science Foundation Ireland/DELL Scholarship 2008 – Young Women in Engineering aims to attract and encourage more high-achieving young women into third-level education in engineering disciplines. The Scholarship is supported by DELL which will supply all the scholars with notebook computers.

The third year of the scheme (academic year 2008/2009) will again focus on young women entering designated four-year engineering degree programmes in third-level institutions in Ireland. The designated courses are among those where women have traditionally been under-represented. In addition, the 2008 list of Eligible Courses includes two courses, DN087 and DN080, which offer 3 years of undergraduate study leading to a Master in Engineering degree after a further two years of study (5 years total). Students applying for these two courses will receive SFI Scholarships for the 3 years of undergraduate study only.

The Scholarship
SFI Scholars will receive:

• An annual award of €2,000 administered through their host institution
• A gift of a DELL notebook computer at the start of their degree
• The assistance and support of an active researcher as a mentor throughout their undergraduate career
•  At least one summer research-internship in an academic research laboratory or an industry R&D laboratory funded for example by the SFI UREKA programme

Eligibility
Applicants must:

• be female and have completed the Irish Leaving Certificate, either in the year they are applying to third-level education (2008) or in the previous year (2007)
• be entering third-level education for the first time in the 2008/2009 academic year
  achieve an A1 or A2 grade at Higher Level in the Leaving Certificate Examination in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics and Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Engineering or Construction Studies
• secure a CAO Offer for an eligible course in the first round of CAO offers in 2008

A list of the eligible courses can be downloaded from the link below. Please check the website regularly for course updates.

Application Process
Each application must contain:

• a CV of the applicant (max. 2 pages)
• a one page statement on why the applicant wants to study engineering written by the applicant (max. 1000 words)
• a letter of recommendation from an individual who knows the applicant personally and supports their career choice, for example the applicant’s science or maths teacher, or the school principal
• a copy of the applicant’s CAO form, clearly showing their name and CAO number
• full contact details for the applicant including home address, phone number and email (email must remain valid until October 2008; please use your parent’s email address if necessary)
• contact details for the applicant’s school principal and school address

The application should be sent to:
SFI/DELL Scholarship 2008 – Young Women in Engineering
Science Foundation Ireland
Wilton Park House
Wilton Place
Dublin 2

Downloads

• SFI Scholarship Programme 2008 Application Details (word) (pdf)
• SFI Scholarship Programme 2008 Eligible Courses (word) (pdf)

Deadlines
The application must be received by 5pm on Friday 27 June 2008. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Within 5 working days of the first round of the CAO offers, the applicant must send to SFI a copy of their leaving certificate results and a copy of their offer from the CAO.

Further Information
For further information on the SFI Scholarship Programme contact: scholarship-at-sfi.ie, or Dr Wendy McLoone on 01-6073063.