Competition

* Unless explicitly noted, all times indicated for deadlines are for the appropriate NL timezone (NST or NDT)

The De Chastelain Scholarships will support the development of research connections between Canada and Ireland, and are open to applicants from both countries. We welcome proposals from applicants from all academic disciplines whose work contributes to peacebuilding and reconciliation — whether directly through research in these areas or indirectly by strengthening the social, cultural, environmental, technological, or institutional foundations on which lasting peace depends.

This programme honours General John de Chastelain, who played a pivotal role in negotiating and securing peace on the island of Ireland, and whose legacy inspires this programme.

The scholarships, which have an application deadline of 11th May, will enable researchers from Ireland to spend 3–6 weeks at a Canadian university, and Canadian researchers to spend the same period at a university on the island of Ireland. ICUF would like to thank the governments of Ireland (DFHERIS) and Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for their support of this programme, as well as corporate partners, Nephin Energy, Vermilion Energy and Air Canada.

Eligibility

The De Chastelain Scholarships support substantive academic engagement between Canada and the island of Ireland, across two strands: early-career and established applicants. While the programme is open to a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, it is designed for individuals who are already actively contributing to academic life — whether through research, teaching, scholarly leadership, or other forms of sustained academic practice.

Applicants will normally hold a PhD. However, the programme also recognises that many individuals have built significant academic careers or made substantial scholarly contributions without holding such a qualification.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to consider carefully whether this opportunity aligns with their current stage of development. The scholarships are intended for those with a clear track record of academic engagement and a well-defined proposal that can contribute meaningfully to the programme’s themes.

You should consider applying if:

• You have a well-defined research proposal suitable for a short visit

• You can identify a host academic partner in Canada or in Ireland who is willing to engage with and support your project

• You see the potential for your research to contribute to peace, reconciliation, and the sustainability of societies— in Ireland, in Canada, and in the wider world

Applications are open to individuals who meet all the following criteria:

1) Residency Requirements:

• Canadian applicants must hold either citizenship or permanent residency status, and be resident in Canada at the time of application. They must have been resident in Canada for a minimum of three consecutive years immediately prior to the application deadline.

• Applicants from Ireland must be resident on the island of Ireland at the time of application, and must have been ordinarily and lawfully resident on the island of Ireland for a minimum of three consecutive years immediately prior to the application deadline.

2)  Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold a PhD, or demonstrate an established academic or research practice of equivalent standing.

3)  Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be employed, enrolled, or otherwise formally affiliated with a recognised university, publicly funded research centre, or equivalent non-profit research institution in Canada or the island of Ireland at the time of application.

Individuals whose primary employment is in the private or commercial sector are not eligible to apply unless their position is directly funded or administered through one of the above qualifying institutions. The affiliation must be verified by the host institution through a letter of confirmation included with the application.

4)  Programme Alignment: Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed research or engagement activities will contribute to the goals of the De Chastelain Scholarship Programme, and will be required to outline how their proposal relates to one or both of the themes, Pathways to Peace, and Grounds for Hope.

5)  Previous Awards In the interest of offering opportunities as widely as possible, individuals who have received an ICUF scholarship or fellowship within the past five years (2021 or later) are ineligible to apply for a De Chastelain Scholarship.

In addition to the external funding agency’s submission procedures, this opportunity must also be submitted for Departmental, HSS Faculty, and Research Initiatives and Services (RIS) institutional reviews and approvals via Memorial's Researcher Portal (RP). In order to facilitate the HSS Faculty’s administrative review, please ensure "Heather C. O'Brien (Grants Facilitator)" and “Matthew Milner (Grants Facilitator)” are added as "Team Members" on your RP file. 

In accordance with University-wide approval protocols, all tabs of the RP file must be completed, the completed application must be uploaded to the “Attachments” tab, all supporting documentation including support for cash and in-kind commitments and/or letters of support must also be uploaded, and “Submit” must be pressed prior to the HSS internal deadline listed below. HSS cannot guarantee completion of an administrative review for application files that are incomplete and/or are submitted after the HSS deadline. For more detailed submission instructions and information, please consult the HSS Research Support Services website.

If you plan to apply to this competition or other research funding opportunities (as either PI or CI), e-mail an HSS Grants Facilitator, Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050), to notify the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of your intent to apply. E-mailing the intent to apply as early as possible will help to facilitate an efficient review. A Grants Facilitator can answer any questions you may have about internal or external submission procedures and may also be able to help with proposal development.