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SCHOLARSHIPS Starting in Sep 2023

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All applicants will be contacted by ml-labs@ucd.ie and are advised to check the spam email folder regularly. Due to the high volume of applications we will not reply to inquiries on the status of personal applications. Everybody will be contacted at the end of each stage and informed if has been selected to the next stage. If you have already applied to the first call that has closed in February 2023  there is not  need to apply again. 

The applications will be evaluated through a three stage selection process:

1. Application form
2. Assessment task
3. Interview

This year we have two application tracks:

• Technical Machine Learning Track: Researching and developing fundamental approaches and novel applications of machine learning.
• Machine Learning in Society Track: Investigating the impacts machine learning is having on society and developing policy to manage these impacts.

Please review the Application Template before you complete the actual online application, which is available at the bottom of this page

The minimum requirements for entry into the programme under the Technical Machine Learning track are:

• 2.1 grade (or equivalent) in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in computer science, maths, engineering, science, or similar technical discipline.
• Strong programming ability.
• Non-native English speakers require at least IELTS 6.5 (with at least 6 in all components) or equivalent (further details on equivalence of tests are available HERE). At application stage it is not mandatory to upload the English test. Applicants that have not provided proof of IELTS test in the application will be asked to send the document if they are invited to an interview.
• Machine learning experience is desirable but not mandatory.

The minimum requirements for entry into the programme under the Machine Learning in Society track are:

• 2.1 grade (or equivalent) in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in social science, digital humanities, engineering, science, or similar discipline.
• Non-native English speakers require at least IELTS 6.5 (with at least 6 in all components) or equivalent (further details on equivalence of tests are available HERE). At application stage it is not mandatory to upload the English test. Applicants that have not provided proof of IELTS test in the application will be asked to send the document if they are invited to an interview.
• Experience working on the societal impact of technology is desirable, but not mandatory.

In summary, as well as being intellectually strong, successful Ph.D. students need to be adaptable, determined and to have the passion to go the extra mile, especially when the research isn’t going well. Before completing the application form, please consult the application template with guidelines and FAQ.

Each student in the centre will receive a generous scholarship valued at over €120,000. This includes a tax-free stipend of €18,500 per year for four years, full coverage of tuition fees, funds for conference travel, and an ample equipment allowance. Depending on their host institution and school, students may have to perform unpaid lab demonstration activities as part of their PhD training, but students will also have the opportunity to earn extra income within their host institution through teaching activities.

The centre is committed to diversity in its named supervisor group and its student body and so applications from international students and from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged.

All students will be members of a cohort in the centre and complete training activities as a group across the three host institutions. Each student, however, will be offered a place in one host institution from which they will receive their PhD.

Most students will join the ML-Labs programme without having made a commitment to work on a specific research project with a particular project supervisor.  The centre has a matchmaking process where students meet supervisors to discuss research interests and to find the best matches between students, supervisors, and research topics. This process has been designed this way to allow all involved to have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and as it has been shown to work very well on international PhD training programmes.

Email any queries to ml-labs@ucd.ie.