SFI/DELL Scholarship 2009 - Young Women in Engineering

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.

The under-representation of women in science, engineering and technology threatens, above all, our global competitiveness. Thus the issue is not simply a matter of equality, ensuring that all careers are open to men and women alike, but also one of ensuring that there are sufficient numbers of outstanding researchers in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) to support a knowledge-based economy. Women represent the greatest untapped source of potential talent. In particular, there is a clear need to increase the participation of women in engineering in Ireland and the most direct way to build the talent pool in Ireland is through an enhanced focus on undergraduate engineers. There is no ‘quick fix’ but rather a coherent and co-ordinated set of investments is required which addresses every stage of the career pipeline. SFI has a critical role to play in the recruitment and retention of women in SET research careers in Ireland.

The Science Foundation Ireland/DELL Scholarship – Young Women in Engineering aims to attract and encourage more high-achieving young women into third-level education in engineering disciplines. In 2009, it is anticipated that up to 10 scholarships will be awarded.

The fourth year of the scheme (academic year 2009/2010) will again focus on young women entering designated four-year engineering degree programmes in third-level institutions in Ireland. In addition, the 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).


The Scholarship
SFI Scholars will receive:

* An annual award of €2,000 administered through their host institution
* A DELL notebook computer
* The assistance and support of an active researcher as a mentor throughout their undergraduate career
* At least one funded summer research-internship in an academic research laboratory or an industry R&D laboratory in Ireland

Eligibility
Applicants must be female and:

* Complete the Irish Leaving Certificate, either in the year they are applying to third-level education (2009) or in the previous year (2008);
* Enter third-level education for the first time in the 2009/2010 academic year;
* Achieve an A1 or A2 grade in two subjects at Higher Level in the Leaving Certificate Examination in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, and (one of) 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 2009.

Application Process
Each application must contain:

1. CV of the applicant (max. 2 pages);
2. Statement on why the applicant wants to study engineering written by the applicant (max. 1 page);
3. ONE letter of recommendation from the applicant’s science or maths teacher, or the school principal;
4. Copy of the applicant’s CAO form, clearly showing name, CAO number and course choices;
5. Full contact details for the applicant;
6. Contact details for the applicant’s school principal and school address.

An electronic scanned copy of the application (sections 1-6) should be submitted to scholarship-at-sfi.ie, or a hardcopy version can be sent to:
SFI Scholarship – Young Women in Engineering
Science Foundation Ireland
Wilton Park House
Wilton Place
Dublin 2

The application must be received by 17:00 on Friday 26 June 2009.

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.

Downloads

* Application Details
* Eligiblle Course

Further Information
For further information on the SFI/DELL Scholarship Programme contact: scholarship-at-sfi.ie