Abstract

This paper focuses on two challenging aspects of successful doctoral education, (i) recruitment of talented researchers and (ii) securing funding to support those researchers. As the pool of PhD candidates grows, and the availability of funding stagnates, higher education institutions need to effectively prepare candidates to apply for external funding while equipping them with knowledge and skills to benefit their PhD journey and future careers.
The Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is the largest national PhD funding initiative in Ireland that accepts applicants from all disciplines and at various stages of their PhD studies. This paper discusses a significant increase in the success rate of applicants from a Faculty of Education and Health Sciences in this national funding programme. The success rate has grown from 15% to 41% over the past seven years. The Faculty has implemented a tailored proposal development programme to support applicants. This programme has evolved from an internal reader scheme to a comprehensive set of supports including:
• information session with testimonials from previous awardees,
• weekly writing workshops,
• a repository of successful grants proposals,
• an internal peer review panel
• an online virtual learning platform to support remote and asynchronous learning.
The programme is designed to be accessible and inclusive, offering small group-based setting for both face-to-face and online delivery. This supportive environment creates vital peer to peer support. The programme was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders including previously successful applicants, supervisors, academic colleagues and support staff from key divisions including the Doctoral College and Library Research Services. The programme aims to empower applicants by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to utilise institutional resources and expertise effectively.
The development programme has led to enhanced and sustained success rates over time. The Research Manager played a central role in designing, developing and implementing this approach. They have been instrumental in mobilising university-wide support to ensure the programme’s success is viewed as a collective effort. This paper suggest that this approach could serve as a template for other applicant-led funding calls, such as the Marie Curie Post-Doctoral Fellowship.
Overall, the paper underscores the importance of a structured and collaborative approach to supporting doctoral candidates in securing funding, enhancing the quality of their application and ultimately their chances of success. It also highlights the role of dedicated Research Mangers in driving such initiatives within higher education.