The Shackleton Scholarships

Advance Your Career in Sustainability with The Shackleton Scholarships

Two scholarship places are available for the 2026/27 academic year, covering 90% of EU fees for the UCD MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability. Open to individuals with a strong commitment to sustainability.

UCD Innovation Academy is pleased to offer the Shackleton Scholarships once again for the 26/27 academic year. Two scholarship places will be available funding 90% of EU fees for the UCD MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability for the successful applicants. The scholarships will be awarded based on the individual’s demonstrable commitment to sustainability. The UCD MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability is a unique masters programme that combines sustainability knowledge with design skills, ensuring students are ready to apply their learning in real time with real impact on the vital field of sustainability.

The award is named for Irish polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, whose name is also given to one of our active learning spaces, the Shackleton Lounge. It embodies UCD Innovation Academy’s spirit of exploration, adaptability and teamwork.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on: 

1. Previous demonstrable commitment to sustainability. This refers in particular to the applicant’s interest, motivation and intent concerning sustainability in practice. This might include, but is not limited to, some of the below: 

• Min. 1 year work experience in an area related to the SDGs
• Min. 2 years volunteering in an area related to the SDGs or extracurricular commitment to the SDGs (e.g. active membership of a university sustainability society)
• Leading or supporting a significant project related to the SDGs, min. duration 3 months
• Undertaking additional training in the SDGs (e.g. academic qualifications, professional qualifications, microcredentials, workshops)
• Publications (academic or popular, physical or virtual) pertaining to the SDGs
• Any other activity related to the SDGs, e.g. organisational ambassadorial role or conference delegate role

      2. The impact applicants seek to achieve (based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals) through participation in the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability. 

      3. The successful applicant will take on an ambassadorial role for the MSc for approx. one year from Sep 2026 to Sep 2027 and their suggestions for what this might encompass, and their aptitude for this, will be taken into account.

Our current scholars have participated in open days, spoken at information sessions, and developed content about their experience on the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability as part of their ambassadorial role. Have a look at some of their work below:

• Melvin Jayson Ogbalu: Designing a sustainable future
• Jemima Hurley: Learning by exploring
• Iakov Lagutin: Seed fund grant project

Application Guidelines:

• Prospective applicants should first apply to the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability and follow the standard application process. Applicants will only be assessed for the Shackleton Scholarships after submission of a formal application to the programme. 
• Scholarship applications should be submitted to innovation.academy@ucd.ie with the subject line: Shackleton Scholarship Application | NAME OF APPLICANT
• Scholarship application should include an up to date CV that documents your relevant experience (two pages max) and a letter of motivation tailored for the scholarship application (two pages max) and addressing the three key areas of the selection criteria along with any other information as deemed appropriate. This letter should be distinct from the standard motivational letter required as part of the overall application documents for the MSc and submitted separately per the instructions above.

Terms and Conditions

• The successful applicant will take on an ambassadorial role for the MSc for approx. one year from Sep 2026 to Aug 2027. This will include (but is not limited to):
  • Direct Student Engagement
    • Attend university fairs and recruitment events to speak with prospective students
    • Give campus tours to prospective students
    • Participate in information sessions about the programme
  • Participate in open days and taster sessions
    • Digital and Content Creation
    • Share your experience through social media posts, blogs, or video testimonials. A monthly quota of content will be agreed with the marketing team in advance.
    • Create content about student life, coursework, and programme highlights
    • Contribute to the university’s website or marketing materials with authentic student perspectives
  • Peer-to-Peer Support
    • Connect with current applicants to answer questions about the application process
    • Represent the student voice in programme development discussions with facultyThe successful applicant is encouraged to actively contribute to shaping this ambassadorial role and will participate in regular check-ins with a member of the Marketing and Recruitment team. Active participation in the ambassadorial role, including attendance at check-ins, is a requirement of retaining the scholarship offer.
•  The student must commence the programme in the academic year applied for. If the student declines their offer the scholarship cannot be retained in the event of reapplication for the same academic year. If the students defers their place, the scholarship cannot be retained for the next academic year.
• Full time enrollment, attendance, and completion of assignments are required to retain the scholarship award.
• In the event of withdrawal from the programme, students will not retain the scholarship and may be liable for fees per UCD’s withdrawal policy. If withdrawal occurs due to serious medical reasons, the student may appeal in writing to retain their scholarship and must provide supporting documentation (e.g. doctor’s letter). In the event of inactivity or disruption due to serious extenuating circumstances, students must formally file for Extenuating Circumstances with UCD in order to retain the scholarship. There is no guarantee the MSc will run in following years. In the event of suspension or dismissal from the university, the student will not retain the scholarship.
• Students must not be in receipt of any other scholarship or Government grant scheme.

Evaluation Criteria

• An evaluation panel comprising UCD Innovation Academy senior leadership will review applications.
• Potential awardees will be ranked based on an assessment of the three criteria. 
• If needed, a competitive interview process will take place.

Unit contact details:

innovation.academy@ucd.ie, ph: 01 716 2065