💫 University College Dublin celebrated the induction of the 2025/26 Graduate Sports Scholars with a ceremony on yesterday afternoon! 💫 🔗ucd.ie/sport/news/2025/ucdgr… This prestigious event honoured exceptional student-athletes who have excelled in both their sporting disciplines and academic pursuits. The Graduate Sports Scholarship (GSS) program at UCD supports athletes competing at the highest levels - both nationally and internationally - while pursuing postgraduate studies. It embodies a commitment to balancing athletic and academic excellence, providing a supportive environment for student-athletes to thrive in both areas. This year’s GSS program recognised athletes across a range of sports including Athletics, GAA, Rowing, Rugby, Soccer and Swimming. The initiative highlights UCD’s dedication to fostering an environment where athletic excellence and academic achievement go hand in hand. The scholarships span various distinguished UCD Schools and Colleges, such as the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, School of Agriculture and Food Science, School of Education, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, School of Medicine, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and College of Science. Scholarship benefits include a 50% reduction in tuition fees, academic mentoring and support, access to top-tier performance gyms, elite sporting facilities, professional strength and conditioning coaching, and tailored nutritional guidance. Scholars also graduate with a qualification from Ireland’s leading university, further enhancing their future prospects. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the scholars, acknowledging their dedication to academics and sports, as well as the contributions of individual UCD Schools that sponsor the scholarships. The event was more than a celebration of individual accomplishments; it was a testament to UCD’s commitment to developing leaders who excel in both competitive sports and academic endeavors. The GSS program continues to reflect UCD’s ethos of ambition and excellence, inspiring the next generation of scholars and athletes alike. Image credit: @sportsfile

💙💛 Seven projects from UCD seeking to drive innovation and engagement in STEM education have received funding under Research Ireland’s Discover Programme. Aiming to raise public awareness of STEM's impact on everyday life, the programme emphasises collaboration with communities and shows how the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics contribute to Ireland’s industry, enterprise, and societal progress. The UCD projects are among 40 chosen to receive a €6.5 million investment announced by James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Helen McEntee, Minister for Education and Youth. The funded UCD projects are: 🔹 Professor Helen Roche, UCD Conway Institute and UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science - ‘CuriosiTY: Broadening participation in a transition year STEM placement programme’. Awarded: €197,172.25. 🔹 Professor Walter Kolch, Systems Biology Ireland and UCD School of Medicine - ‘Let’s chat medicine: An innovative PEI cycle in health-related research’. Awarded: €249,704.00. 🔹 Professor Gerardine Meaney, UCD School of English, Drama and Film - ‘Miasma: Trust, Data and Public Health'. Awarded €253,034.00. 🔹 Associate Professor Virginie Gautier, UCD School of Medicine - ‘STEM UP: Unlocking Potential and Breaking Barriers for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Students’. Awarded: €34,920.00 (Co-funded by Department of Education). 🔹 Sharon Shannon, UCD School of Physics - ‘Chorus’. Awarded: €299,396.15. 🔹 Conor Haugh, Biorbic - ‘Generation Glas: Ireland's Network of Young Sustainability Champions’. Awarded: €299,758.12. 🔹 Fergus McAuliffe, iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences - ‘Get into Geoscience’. Awarded. €234,940.00 (co-funded by the Department of Education). In addition, Associate Professor Shane Bergin, UCD School of Education, will lead a National Concert Hall project awarded €50,220.