Application Procedure, Terms and Conditions
H W Wilson Foundation Post-Graduate Scholarships
In Library and Information Studies
Tenable at the Department of Library and Information Studies, UCD
1.
These scholarships will offer opportunities for suitably qualified women and men to
pursue one of the following post-graduate degrees at the Department of Library and
Information Studies (DepLIS) in University College Dublin (UCD):
 a masters degree by research (MLitt);
 a doctoral degree by research (PhD).
2.
Applications are welcome from residents of any country, including non-EU
countries. Applicants should note the residency requirements for the duration of the
scholarship in point 14 below.
3.
Applicants must comply with the entry requirements and application procedure for
entry to the MLitt or PhD programme as determined by UCD. If examination
results are not known at the time of application, the Department may make a
provisional offer of a scholarship on condition that the applicant’s undergraduate
degree result is a first or upper second class honours or the equivalent. The
Department 's decision in these matters is final.
4.
The scholarships support research in an aspect of Library and Information Studies
for which there is a suitable research supervisor in the Department of Library and
Information Studies. The decisions of the Department on the suitability of the topic
and the availability of a research supervisor are final.
5.
A successful applicant for the scholarships will be designated as an 'H W Wilson
Foundation Research Scholar in Library and Information Studies' (hereafter referred
to as a ‘scholar').
6.
Each scholarship will be awarded initially for one year, but subject to terms and
conditions, is renewable for up to two additional years.
7.
Where ethical issues may arise in their research, applicants will be required to
submit to DepLIS a written statement to the effect that full consideration has been
given to the ethical implications of the research proposal. This statement must
further demonstrate the applicant’s proposed resolution of the ethical issues arising.
DepLIS must receive written evidence of ethical approval by UCD’s Ethics
Committee in the event of a successful outcome to this application, prior to
confirmation of the scholarship. If a research project requires access to archival
material in private custodianship or archival material with restricted access, written
evidence of appropriate permission to consult such material must be furnished to
DepLIS.
8.
Applicants must supply the following details in their application:
(a) An outline of the research topic, using the headings in the evaluation criteria at
point 11 below;
(b) A Curriculum Vitae that provides details of the applicant’s academic record and
achievements;
(c) A signed statement that specifies the financial support available to the applicant;
(d) Names and contact details of two academic referees;
(e) Non-returnable original transcripts of the birth certificate and primary degree or
other third level academic record;
(f) Applicants whose prior education has not been carried out through English must
provide evidence that they satisfy the Minimum English Language Requirements for
entry to UCD as described at http://www.ucd.ie/global/english.html.
9.
An Assessment Board will evaluate applications for a scholarship on the basis of
their excellence, originality and potential. The Assessment Board will consist of the
following three members:
(a) The Head of the Department of Library and Information Studies, UCD or his /
her nominee;
(b) The Director of Research in the Department of Library and Information Studies,
UCD or his / her nominee;
(c) A senior member of academic staff from a Department of Library and
Information Studies outside Ireland, e.g. a current or past External Examiner.
10.
The Assessment Board reserves the right to short-list applications based on the
applications submitted by applicants without contacting referees. It also reserves the
right not to award either or both scholarships if the applications are not of a
sufficiently high standard.
11.
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
(a) Description of the project for which the scholarship is being sought (no more
than 500 words). This should include a brief outline of how the applicant sees his /
her project developing from year to year;
(b) Location of the proposed project within the current state of research and
bibliography in the area (no more than 400 words);
(c) Relative significance of the contribution that the proposed project will make to
the area (no more than 400 words);
(d) Location of the proposed project within the research expertise of potential
supervisors in DepLIS (no more than 100 words);
(e) Methodology (no more than 250 words);
(f) The applicant's record and academic achievements (no more than 100 words).
12.
Scholarships will be awarded only to full-time students who will engage full-time in
research during the period of the scholarship.
13.
Scholars may not undertake any other paid employment for the duration of the
scholarship other than tutorial or demonstration work which is relevant to the
scholar’s research, provided that this:
(a) does not exceed six hours teaching in any given week;
(b) is undertaken in DepLIS, UCD;
(c) has the support of the scholar's supervisor.
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14.
Scholars may not hold the H W Wilson Foundation scholarship simultaneously with
another equivalent source of financial support, e.g. an Irish Research Council for the
Humanities and Social Sciences Post Graduate Scholarship. The decisions of the
Department on financial support are final.
15.
Scholars are expected to maintain an actual presence within DepLIS or other
designated UCD location during the period of their scholarships and to reside within
a reasonable travelling distance of UCD. However, depending on the nature of the
research, some scholars may benefit from spending part of the term of the
scholarship away from UCD, for example if there is a need to carry out research in
other locations or to use resources located at other research or archival institutions in
Ireland or abroad. The scholars must obtain the prior approval of their supervisors
for absence related to their research.
16.
Each scholarship consists of an annual bursary of Euro 12,700 payable to the
scholar, a contribution towards student fees of Euro1,800, and an allowance for
travel for research or conference participation of up to Euro 1,000 per annum.
Payment of the conference grant is subject to recommendation of the travel by the
scholar’s research supervisor and submission of evidence of travel and participation
in the conference by the scholar to the supervisor.
17.
The Department attaches considerable importance to procedures for monitoring and
renewing the scholarships. Scholars will be required to submit written progress
reports to the Department by 31 December, 30 April and 31 August, respectively,
following the initial date of the scholarship. These reports will be accompanied by a
confidential and comprehensive evaluation from the scholar’s supervisor on the
progress of the research. It will be the scholar’s responsibility to ensure that these
reports are submitted on time. The Head of Department will review the scholar’s
report and supervisor’s evaluation and then take appropriate action.
18.
The timely submission (not later than the stated dates) of these reports by the scholar
and the supervisor are an absolute condition of holding and renewing the
scholarship.
19.
The Head of DepLIS will forward an annual report on the progress of the scholars to
the H W Wilson Foundation.
20.
The Department stresses that if it receives an unsatisfactory report on a scholar’s
progress, or if the reports are not submitted on time, the scholarship will be
terminated and the scholar will be required to refund monies that have been paid to
him/her. The H W Wilson Foundation will be notified of this occurrence.
21.
Scholarships will automatically cease on the submission of the scholar’s thesis.
22.
It will be the responsibility of the scholar’s supervisor to ensure that if the scholar
leaves UCD, or is not dedicating sufficient time or effort to the project, the Head of
DepLIS will be informed immediately.
23.
The successful scholars will commence their research in September 2004 or January
2005.
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24.
All publicity, including public lectures, publications, print materials and press
releases, television and radio advertisements, websites, film, video and audio
recordings associated with or arising from the research undertaken by a scholar
while in receipt of a scholarship must contain acknowledgment of funding received
from the 'H W Wilson Foundation'.
25.
The award of the scholarship is subject to receipt of funding by the Department of
Library and Information Studies in UCD from the H W Wilson Foundation. In the
event of such funding being reduced or being discontinued, neither the Department
nor UCD will be under any liability to provide funding or to compensate a Scholar
for any reduction or cessation of such funding.
26.
The Department of Library and Information Studies reserves the right to revise the
Terms and Conditions of the scholarships at any time.
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