School of Social Work and Social Policy

Contact Us School of Social Work & Social Policy
Room 3063, Arts Building
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

Phone: 01 896 2001

View the contact page for more contact and location information

swsp@tcd.e Gaeilge

School of Social Work & Social Policy School Based Trinity Research Doctorate Award

Applications are invited for the Trinity Research Doctorate Award 2026-2027. The award provides a stipend of €25,000 p.a. and fees write-down for the four years (full-time) of a Structured PhD programme.
Each School has been allocated one award for allocation in 2026-2027.

The Conditions of the Award are:

  • Open only to new entrants to the full-time research doctorate register (EU and non-EU). Those students who have already applied for 2026/2027 or who are currently working with a Principal / Primary Supervisor that is based in The School of Social Work and Social Policy, and have an application pending for 2026/2027.
  • The holders must engage in full-time research and must register for a research doctorate degree at Trinity College, The University of Dublin.
  • Continuation on the research register is dependent on evidence of satisfactory annual progress and successful completion of the confirmation process at 18 months after first registration.
  • Both the doctorate researcher and supervisor will agree to participate in the pilot rollout of Trinity’s Supervisor: Research Student Agreement.
  • Postgraduate Research Doctorate Awards cannot continue beyond a fourth year on the full-time research doctorate register and cannot be split across doctorate researcher. Decisions on allocation of the award rests with the School.
  • Applications are welcome from all applicants to the full-time research doctorate register (EU and non-EU), who have submitted online applications to commence in the academic year 2026/2027.
  • The School Based TRDA is not open to those students pursuing the Non-Residential PhD Pathway.
  • Unsuccessful students, who do not commence their studies in the year of application, may apply for the award the following year, should one be available.  Students may apply for the award a max of 2 times.
  • Students, who match the application criteria, may also apply for the School PhD Studentship (Social Work Specific) award, however, will only be able to accept one award should they be successful in both applications.

Application Process:

  • The closing date for applications is Friday 15th May 2026. To apply, please submit the following documentation to Michelle Moore, moorem11@tcd.ie, on or before the closing date:
    • Up to Date Curriculum Vitae
    • 2000-word Research Proposal
    • NOTE:
      • Applicants who meet the criteria for the award will be invited for an online interview in mid-June. Before the interview commences each applicant will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on their research proposal which needs to include a proposed schedule of work for the 4-year PhD timeframe. Applicants’ presentations need to be submitted to Michelle Moore, moorem11@tcd.ie no less than 10 working days before their scheduled interview.
      • Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their interview and application by Tuesday June 30th, 2026.