Stipend for Walsh Scholars increased
Teagasc has announced that it will increase the annual stipend for Walsh Scholars to €25,000 from the 1st January 2024. The Teagasc Authority approved the increase at their board meeting this week.
The Teagasc Walsh Scholarships Programme is a postgraduate programme for graduates to undertake postgraduate research in agriculture, food, environmental science, agri-food economics, rural development, horticulture and other related disciplines.
This decision means that all current and future Teagasc funded Walsh Scholars will receive an annual stipend of €25,000, plus a contribution towards the cost of their university fees up to a maximum of €6,000.
An independent national review of State supports for PhD researchers last May recommended increasing the level to €25,000.
Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director, said: “The Walsh Scholarships Programme is one of the most important programmes in Teagasc, as it develops the next generation of young researchers, as they pursue their post-graduate studies. It creates a flow of well-trained graduates up to doctoral level, thus providing high calibre individuals to work in the agri-food and related sectors in Ireland and abroad.”
Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholarships in Teagasc, welcomed the decision saying: “The increased stipend will provide much need support for graduates to meet increased cost of living expenses, as they pursue their PhD and masters qualifications.”
Administrators of the Walsh Scholarships Programme in both Teagasc and the Universities/Technological Universities will commence the task of implementing the new rates, and it is expected students will receive the increase in the March stipend. The stipends will be backdated to the 1st January.
For Walsh Scholars funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Irish Research Council (IRC) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the increased stipends are being processed and, it is expected the increase will be in the January stipend paid.