FAQ: Dobbin scholarships
Q: What are the closing dates for applications?
A: For Irish scholars wishing to visit Canada applications and supporting documents must be received by email only, before 1700hrs GMT on Friday 30th of March, 2012.
For Canadian scholars wishing to visit Ireland applications and supporting documents must be received by email only, before 1700hrs Eastern Time on 30th of April, 2012.
Q: I am wondering if you have any guidelines / instructions for my two referees. Are they to be commenting on my character and abilities, my experience, the merit of my proposal?
A: There are no guidelines. It is left to referees to write what they think is best so as to advise ICUF on the applicant.
Q: I will be on sabbatical and would like to pursue the possibility of developing collaboration with colleagues in Canada / Ireland. Would I be eligible for a Dobbin Scholarship?
A: The purpose of the Dobbin Scholarships is to support short focussed research on a specific topic which could not otherwise happen, and as such academics going for sabbatical leave are not eligible to apply.
Q: I am a Canadian graduate student specialising in Celtic music and would like to attend a 2 week summer course in Ireland on traditional music? Would I be eligible to apply?
A: The Dobbin Scholarships have been created to support individual research projects, and as such, Dobbin Scholarships are not applicable to those wishing to attend any course of study, whether a short term course, or an undergraduate or post graduate degree programme.
Q:When completing the Application Form, do both references have to be from academics?
A:The choice of referees is entirely up to the applicant.
Q. Is the scholarship limited to any particular area, e.g. graduate students / post doctorals / lecturers / professors?
A: Applications are encouraged from all persons of whatever status, age or discipline, who are doing research in topics relating to both countries.
Q. I am not resident in either Ireland or Canada, but wish to conduct research in Ireland / Canada. Am I eligible?
A. The Dobbin Scholarships were established specifically to encourage and support academic links between Canada and Ireland, and as such, the awards are only made available to residents of both countries.
Q: what is “evidence of institutional support”?
A. This is an email (either to you or directly to us) from whoever your contact in the university you propose to visit, confirming that they would welcome you to visit, and can provide you with facilities/time for your research during your research period.
Q: Is there a page limit for the application?
A. There is no page limit, for the overall application, but the “Summary of proposed research topic” is limited to 1,200 words. Applicants are asked to bear in mind that assessors have limited time to consider a large number of many applications.