room101 wrote: » The IRCHSS is saying it is going to be 10 to 14 days.
Dowdy wrote: » Going by what the IRCHSS said yesterday (mentioned upthread) I'm actually predicting it'll be closer to July before we hear anything now. 10 to 14 days was what they originally told me near the start of May, and look where we are now. They've just pulled that figure out of the air, and are hoping the DES finally approve the list they've selected. If that happens soon, great, but I have a horrible feeling we'll be waiting longer.
the-jojo-axiom wrote: » Can't afford to go to a certain conference this Autumn unless I get the IRCHSS. Need to let the conference organisers know by June 12th about attendance, so if I still have no answer by then I'm screwed and I may storm the research council office in revenge. Got a scholarship last year from the Norwegian research council and they let me know the result BEFORE the date they estimated. Typical Irish system ha? :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Christ in a box.
Dowdy wrote: » Yeah I was in the same boat but only had until the end of May to register, so I ended up taking a chance and going for it anyway. I'm over €600 out of pocket now as a result, between flights, registration, and accommodation, and I'll be a bit screwed if I don't get the scholarship, but at least the conference will be good for my CV and may help me get another grant later. Between this malarkey and having to pull 12-hour days at work here in the searing heat to meet a deadline, I'm getting a bit fed up... I emailed the DES earlier to see if they could provide me with any information on when they plan to sign off the list, but I doubt I'll ever hear back from them to be honest.
Ruki wrote: » Has anyone been listening to the news in the past few months? Or is everyone so far gone that all they hear are postmen's footsteps? A list of our thesis titles would look like gobbledigook to a politician who wants to know precisely what bang they'll end up getting for their buck. They did cut funding to kids with special needs, and I'm not sure what one of those kids' parents would make of my proposal balanced against that. It seems the IRCHSS is negotiating with the politicos, and every day prob means another chance for one of us to get a year's peace & quiet. By all means, let off some steam; just following this discussion & its updates has been a great help for me. But bear in mind that the delay probably means a battle is raging on our behalf. Having said that, the plain truth is that the majority of us aren't going to get anything. Best policy in the weeks left to the results: assume you haven't got it. Sorry, but this is getting nuts. Personally I'm finding it easier to get stuck into research now that I've convinced myself I'll have to potter on as I am. Best of luck and thanks for all the info.
El Siglo wrote: » That's the best advice so far, with the way funding has gone it is better to assume you have got nothing in order to start contingency planning. I was applying to IRCSET last time around and really the funding is a matter of how much qualifications and experience you have, in saying that it might be beneficial if you don't have an MA but are on for a really good degree to apply for an MA at least if you don't get funding you'll get a chance to do some of the research related to your PhD application. This is just one way I know off that can improve your chances next time around. Keep an eye out also for the feedback they give you it might be a month or two after your application, it's a really good source of where you fell down etc...
Dowdy wrote: » Fair enough, but I did my MA three years ago and have been working in an office since then. For a year and a half, in my spare time, I've been conducting research for my proposed Ph.D. and if I don't get any funding this year then I'll have to remain in this job because there's no way I could afford to do a doctorate without being funded. So, to summarise - I am of course trying to forget about this and I am, as always, assuming the worst, but if I don't get funded then all of the time and effort I put in over the last eighteen months, and all the money I'm putting into attending a conference to read a paper, will have essentially been for nothing. I've applied for a fellowship with NUI Galway too, and I barely missed out on one of those last year, so I still have some chance of funding if I miss the IRCHSS one, but you'll have to excuse me if I'm very anxious about this because if neither of these come through then I'm probably looking at a life of meaningless office work rather than a possible future in academia. I'm very grateful that I have a job at the moment, but the thoughts of building a career in a corporate monstrosity fills me with existential dread... But feck it, enough about me, many of you are in similar positions, or worse. There's nowt we can do about this now but sit back and wait. Hopefully we'll know in a week or two, one way or another.
Howyamissus wrote: » It's great that you are able to put it out of your mind. I am finding it very difficult. I rang IRCHSS severl times over the last couple of weeks. Most recently, I rang them last Tuesday. Like they told others they are waiting for the Dept. of Education to sign off on the the list of successful candidates. When I asked for time parameters, they hoped that they would know before the end of the month of June. Of course, I suspect they are making cuts but it just dawned on me that they are waiting until after the elections to sign off on the list -- after all students vote...
El Siglo wrote: » In fairness, I can see your point and don't feel like you have to apologise. However, reading that post it would be a travesty if you don't receive funding in some form or other, considering the work, experience and qualifications you have. Good luck with it anyway.
Howyamissus wrote: » Like others on this blog, I also got rejected for the IRCHSS last year. Indeed the only ones who got accepted in my Department were rising to thier 4th year in their PhD. This makes me wonder whether the quality of your application matters that much. I wonder, in an effort to cut costs, will they just give it to those in thier latter years. Did anybody else discover the same pattern over the last few years?
Mr dissidence wrote: » Dear all, I have it on good authority that the budget for this year's round of postgrad scholarships has been dramatically attenuated. Instead of last year's healthy 152, this year's successful applicant list will look more like 22! I definitely know now that I am out of the running. I may have had a chance when the successful ap numbers were in the hundreds, but not now (my topic is too interdisciplinary and dare I say it original). The best of luck to everyone though.
Howyamissus wrote: » Hey Mr Dissidence, Where did you get this number of '22' successful applicants? This sounds like a huge cut and a little unbelievable to me. Please be very careful about throwing unsubstantiated figures around as there are a lot of people (including myself) who are anxiously awaiting a response. We are pessimistic enough -- so if you reference such figures, please substantiate them
Mr dissidence wrote: » Obviously I can't tell you where I received that figure. I am sorry for any distress my previous post has caused you, but as I relayed I have it on 'good authority' that a dramatic slash in funding has taken place and that the figure for successful projects will be about 20 or 30 this year. I really don't find this surprising considering the recent cut-backs and global economic downturn. Again, I am sorry if my post caused distress. I would not have recklessly posted such a figure if I didn't have pretty solid info surrounding the ap process (info that has come from a senior level). I am in the same position as yourself, and wish you all the best.
