The Kappeler Bursary

For PhD (Home Economics) Part-time Studies 2025-2026

The National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics and the School of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas invites applications for the Kappeler Bursary for PhD studies in Home Economics discipline/related research areas. Bursary will cover fees for part time PhD study and is open to applicants who intend to register in Year 1 of the PhD in September 2025. The bursary will cover full payment of part time PhD fees (EU fees only, up to maximum of six years).

Veroni Kappeler, was a Swiss Home Economist who was passionate about the development of the Home Economics discipline and generously made a philanthropic donation to ATU St Angelas (formally St. Angela’s College), for the advancement of the field. The Kappeler Bursary award will support full payment of part time PhD fees for the successful the applicant/s and is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Frau Kappeler.

The School of Home Economics has a proud tradition of providing world-renowned education in Home Economics for over 70 years. The School has an established track record and is a recognised leader nationally and internationally in the field of Home Economics. Graduates of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes bear testament to the high standard of professionalism aspired to by the School and are employed in a variety of settings and locations. The National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angelas is committed to educating learners to be morally and ethically responsible leaders, who think critically, act wisely and work skilfully with the entreaty to “make a difference”. The successful applicants of the Kappeler Bursary for PhD studies in Home Economics will work with and be supported by Home Economics academic experts in the School of Home Economics throughout their studies.

The Bursary

The Bursary will cover full payment of part-time PhD Home Economics fees (EU fees only, up to a maximum of six years). The EU Fee** total (inc. levies) is currently set at €6,000 per annum full time and €3,000 per annum part time for the academic year 2025/2026. One Bursary may be offered based on the applications received.

**If you are liable for Non-EU fees please refer to our fees section for full details; however, please note the Bursary will only cover the payment of EU Fees, the student will be required to supplement these if they are eligible for Non-EU fees.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must hold an undergraduate Level 8 degree in Home Economics with first or second-class honours, grade one, and wish to pursue their studies to Doctoral level in Home Economics. Applicants may also hold a Level 9 qualification.
• Applicants must have initially discussed the proposed area of research with the Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics (ATU St Angelas).
• Successful applicants must register with the School of Home Economics, ATU St Angelas as a Year 1 PhD (Home Economics) student (part-time) for the academic session 2025/2026.
• This bursary will be paid at EU fees rate only.
• International students will require a degree of fluency in the English language. An overall test score of minimum 6.5 in the IELTS Academic Test is required for direct entry.

Initial Enquiries

Step 1. Please contact the Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, Dr Elaine Mooney by email (elaine.mooney@atu.ie) to discuss and for guidance on your proposed area of research within Home Economics.

Step 2. Please contact the proposed supervisor/s nominated by the Head of School of Home Economics and to discuss your intended research study. If proposed supervisor/s agrees that the research proposal has merit and supports your application, then you can move forward to complete the application process.

Step 3. Please complete the application process, and submit the following electronically to Aisling Carty, Administrator, School of Home Economics: aisling.carty@atu.ie. The deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm on Friday, 30th May 2025.

• A CV which details your academic record including grades achieved.
• Kappeler Application Form 2024-2025
• An outline research proposal (see Guidelines for Drafting a PhD Research Proposal 2025-2026)
• Personal statement to support your application which outlines your interest in and reasons for pursuing PhD studies in Home Economics (maximum 200 words).

ATU St Angelas will acknowledge receipt of application by reply e-mail. Please note that late and/ or incomplete applications will not be accepted. All offers will be subject to verification of academic records and reference checks. Should you choose to withdraw your application after submission, please inform Aisling Carty, Administrator, School of Home Economics: aisling.carty@atu.ie by email within one week of submission, i.e. latest by 4pm on 6th June 2025.

Important Dates:

• Call opens: Tuesday, 25th February 2025
• Applications must be received, in full, by: Friday, 30th May 2025

Assessment Process

Applications will be assessed by a Review Panel. Applications will be assessed according to the specific weightings as follows:

Please note that applicants may be called for interview in the event of a tiebreaker. Decision of the Review Panel is final.