Home / Scholarship / Study in Ireland | University College Dublin Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships 2026

Scholarship

Study in Ireland | University College Dublin Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships 2026

December 26, 2025 8:40 am

Study in Ireland | University College Dublin Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships 2026

For exceptional scholars aiming to address the world’s most pressing political challenges, a premier doctoral opportunity is now open. University College Dublin has officially launched the Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year. This prestigious, fully funded programme invites international researchers to pursue cutting-edge PhD studies in critical fields like climate governance and authoritarian politics at Ireland’s leading university.

A Comprehensive, Fully Funded Research Package

The Ad Astra Scholarship is designed to provide complete financial and academic support for four years of dedicated research. Successful candidates receive a robust funding package, including:

Full Tuition Fee Waiver: Complete coverage of academic fees, including the non-EU rate.
Generous Annual Stipend: A living allowance of €25,000 per year.
Substantial Research Fund: An annual €4,000 allowance for fieldwork, conference travel, data collection, and other research expenses.

Two Focused Research Themes

This call specifically seeks doctoral candidates in two high-impact thematic areas:

Environmental and Climate-Related Risk, Response, or Resilience
Authoritarian Politics

These scholarships are hosted by UCD’s School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe), offering supervision from leading experts and a vibrant research community.

Are You the Ideal Candidate?

This highly competitive programme seeks applicants with a strong academic foundation and a clear research vision. To be eligible, you must:

Hold, or be completing, a relevant Master’s degree with a minimum classification of a 2.1 (GPA 3.6 or equivalent).
Have a well-defined doctoral research proposal that aligns clearly with one of the two advertised themes.
Be applying for a full-time PhD in Politics and International Relations or Quantitative and Computational Social Science with a Shore-based supervisor.
Plan to commence your studies in September 2026.
Meet UCD’s English language proficiency requirements, unless exempt.

Important Exclusions: Applicants with supervisors outside SPIRe, those seeking part-time study, or candidates looking to transfer from another PhD programme are not eligible for this specific scholarship.

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

Key Application Timeline

Prospective applicants must adhere to a strict deadline:

The final date to submit your complete application is Friday, 6 February 2026, at 5:00 PM Dublin time.
Given the detailed nature of the application, starting your preparations several months in advance is strongly recommended.

How to Prepare a Winning Application

A successful application hinges on two core elements: academic excellence and a compelling research proposal. First, ensure your academic transcripts and references robustly demonstrate your research capabilities. Next, and most crucially, invest significant time in developing your research proposal. It must not only be academically rigorous but also clearly articulate its contribution to the chosen thematic field. Furthermore, reviewing the research profiles of SPIRe faculty to identify a potential supervisor whose expertise aligns with your project can greatly strengthen your application.

The UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarship represents a career-defining opportunity to conduct funded, impactful research at a world-class institution. By submitting a meticulous and visionary application, you position yourself to become part of the next generation of scholars tackling global political challenges. For complete details on the application process and thematic priorities, visit the official UCD SPIRe Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships webpage.