Recruitment policy

Applications are sought from exceptional students across the whole of Ireland and representing the entire socio-economic and ethnic spectrum nationwide. Scholarships are reserved for Irish and Northern Irish citizens only, who at the time of application should have completed at least 70% of their schooling and higher education in Ireland (North and/or South). Students from ‘New Irish’ communities, who have completed their second and third level education on the island of Ireland, and who hold Irish or UK (residents of North of Ireland) citizenship may also apply. Students in Ireland as a refugee or asylum seeker are eligible to apply, provided they have permanent leave to remain at the time of application. Confirmation of a George Moore Scholarship depends on the applicant providing evidence of an offer from the host institution abroad.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) by applicants in drafting their application statements is permitted but not recommended. Personal and research statements must be based on the applicant’s own life experience and the use of AI limited to recommendations on wordcount and structure. Any use of AI to generate fabricated or replicated content will automatically disqualify the applicant. Applicants must disclose the use of AI, and the way(s) in which it has been used. Academic reviewers will be advised to alert the programme team as to any applications which they consider have been completed with the undisclosed use of AI and the programme team reserve the right to make these applications ineligible for further consideration.  Please bear in mind we are trying to get an authentic sense of each applicant, and AI may therefore may not be helpful.

Academic reviewers are asked not to  use AI in their analysis of documents and applications. The programme team will follow up with any reviewers whose submitted reviews indicate the possible use of AI. This is because we are trying to get the most authentic sense of the application we can, and this requires the reviewers’ personal expertise.

Conflict of interest policy

The George Moore Scholars programme is committed to ensuring that all students who are eligible for and interested in applying to the programme are in a position to do so. To ensure fairness of treatment, the programme team, academic reviewers and applicants must declare a conflict of interest if any applicant/team member is known to them personally or professionally. If this is the case, the application may progress but the team member concerned will be replaced in the process by another individual who does not know the applicant. Persons who are a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) to a member of the programme team are not eligible to apply as this conflict is deemed too significant. The ‘programme team’ is defined as the programme director, the programme manager, and any other team member within The Ireland Funds who may be directly involved in the programme. Academic reviewers must also sign a statement confirming there is no conflict of interest for them in reviewing any of the assigned applications. Where such a conflict arises for an academic reviewer, it should be declared to the programme team and the application will be reassigned.

Academic review policy

Submitted applications are reviewed by the programme team for eligibility and completeness. Applications and all associated documents, including academic references, are shared with academic reviewers. The role of the academic reviewer is to evaluate the application. Academic reviewers must not be known to the applicant and will be drawn from a panel of experts in Ireland and the UK. Applicants submit two academic references from people familiar with their recent academic work. The programme team reviews all documentation and academic review scores to shortlist for interview.

Financial disclosure policy

Scholars are expected to disclose any other sources of funding, including financial aid or scholarships from their destination university.

While the main focus of the award is on academic excellence and scope for impact, the programme actively seeks to support students who could not otherwise afford to study abroad for socio-economic reasons.

Academic discipline policy

The George Moore Scholars programme is open to applicants across all disciplinary fields. However, the programme team will prioritise areas of study which it deems are most likely to have long-term, positive impact on our major global challenges. The programme also prioritises its support towards individuals who have been assessed as most likely to have impact for the public good. Most applicants are high academic achievers, but it is this combination of talent, with drive for public good and effecting change, that distinguishes George Moore Scholars.

Withdrawal/deferral policy

Deferring a Scholarship is only possible in exceptional cases, such as bereavement or illness. It is not normally awarded to permit someone to take up another opportunity. Once on their masters programme, it is expected that a Scholar who wishes to defer or withdraw from their course will notify the programme director as soon as possible. The programme director will engage with the Scholar to determine the funding implications of the withdrawal.