Open to second-year students on the Engineering (BAI/MAI) and Engineering with Management (BSc(Ing)/MAI) programmes who have achieved at least a second-class honours result in their first-year examinations, the scholarships provide successful applicants with €6,000 per annum for the remainder of their degree, for up to four years of study. The scholarships are designed to ease financial pressures, allowing students to dedicate more time to their studies, research, extracurricular activities, and personal development. Since their establishment, more than 50 scholarships have been awarded to Trinity Engineering students.
One recent recipient, Engineering graduate Conor Conway, has seen first-hand how the scholarship can open doors to opportunities beyond the classroom.
Following the completion of his studies at Trinity, Conor travelled to Toronto, Canada, to attend the 2026 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC), where he presented research from his Master's thesis on low-field MRI. During the conference, he was also part of a team that received a Best Paper Award, marking a significant achievement early in his career.
We recently caught up with Conor to hear about his experience and the role the Eric & Barbara Kinsella Scholarship played in helping him take part.
You received support through the Eric and Barbara Kinsella Scholarship. How did that support help you take part in the conference in Canada?
The support I received from Eric and Barbara Kinsella helped make it possible for me to travel to Toronto, Canada, to attend the 2026 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC). I had the opportunity to present my research from my Master's thesis on low-field MRI, which was an incredible experience and a real highlight of my time at Trinity. Being able to present my work to researchers from around the world, discuss their research and make connections within the field was extremely valuable. I was also delighted to receive a Best Paper Award at the conference for a paper I was part of, which made the experience even more memorable. Without the generous support I received, attending an international conference like this would have been much more difficult.
What difference has the scholarship made to your overall experience as a Trinity student?
The Eric & Barbara Kinsella Scholarship has had a hugely positive impact on my experience at Trinity, both academically and personally. The financial support allowed me to live in Dublin during my final years rather than commuting from home, giving me the opportunity to become more involved in college life, spend time with friends and take part in extracurricular activities. It also allowed me to dedicate more time to my studies and research, contributing to my academic performance and development. Overall, I'm extremely grateful that the scholarship helped me make the most of my time at Trinity, both inside and outside the classroom.
If you were speaking directly to Eric and Barbara Kinsella, what would you like them to know about the impact their generosity has had on your studies and personal development?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Eric and Barbara for their generosity and continued support. Their contribution has made a real difference to my time at Trinity, particularly in allowing me to pursue opportunities like presenting my research internationally. Experiences like these have helped me grow both academically and personally, giving me greater confidence in my abilities and a clearer idea of what I would like to achieve in my career. I hope they know how much their support is appreciated and that the opportunities they help create can have a lasting impact on students long after they graduate.
The School of Engineering is extremely grateful to Eric and Barbara Kinsella for their longstanding support of our students. The opportunities created through their generosity extend far beyond financial assistance, enabling students to participate fully in university life, pursue ambitious academic goals, and take advantage of experiences that help shape their future careers. Conor’s journey from Trinity lecture theatres to presenting award-winning research at an international conference is a compelling example of the difference that this support can make. His story reflects the lasting impact that philanthropic investment can have on individual students and on the wider engineering community.
Applications for the Eric & Barbara Kinsella Scholarships 2026-27 are currently open. Eligible second-year students in Engineering and Engineering with Management are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates must submit their application before 5pm on Friday, 16 October 2026. Full details on eligibility, the application process and required documentation are available in the scholarship application guide, available here.