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Undergraduate Study
Scholarships

The Una McDermott travel bursary

Point of contact name: Cara Daly

Point of contact email: [email protected]

Scholarship Overview

The family of Una McDermott have generously established a fund in memory of our colleague, teacher, and friend Una McDermott, former Horticulture lecturer in Teagasc and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). Una strongly believed in the value of travelling abroad to experience and learn about horticulture, and we are delighted that this fund will help students follow that vision.

Planning to Apply? Here’s the First 

Read the Explanatory Document and all appendices in full before applying. It outlines the rules that govern this competitive bursary and includes practical guidance and examples to support a strong application.

Who Can Apply

Students from the following programmes are eligible to apply:

  • BSc in Horticulture (Year 1, Year 2, or Year 3)
    – SE506 (Kildalton College)
    – SE507 (College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens)
  • Add-on BSc (Hons) in Land Management (Horticulture)
    – SETU Waterford

What the Fund Can Support

The bursary may be used to support travel abroad to gain experience, work, or learning opportunities in a garden or horticulture-related company. It may also be used to cover:

  • Attendance at a horticulture-related student conference, meeting, or short course
  • The Year 2 work placement, if the placement is located outside Ireland

We anticipate that most students will travel during June, July, or August 2026. However, the evaluation panel will also consider applications for shorter travel periods during mid-semester breaks or the Easter holidays. Work-placement students may apply for travel anytime between January and August 2026.

Read the Explanatory Document.

The Application Process:

The following briefly describes the application process:

  1. Applicants fill in an online form (Part A), attach supplementary documentation (Part B) and submit the full application online.
  2. Applicants are shortlisted based on their personal statements.
  3. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed.
  4. The winner(s) are announced. 

Key dates:

Closing date for online applications: Sunday the 4th of February, 2026 (23:59).

Provisional Interview date for shortlisted applicants: 20th February, 2026.

Winner(s) will be announced shortly after interviews.

Please read the Explanatory Document in full before starting your application. It contains everything you need to know about eligibility, timelines, and how your submission will be assessed

Check out this pre-filled Excel file. It’s there to help you think through potential trip costs and inspire your own personalised budget plan. which will help you consider your budget for the trip.

Checklist – Have all applicable items ready before filling in the online form:

Core documents

  • Full CV (include education, work history, and any relevant experience or voluntary work)

If undertaking a work placement

  • Letter or email confirmation from your host confirming:
    • Start date and expected end date
    • The period you will be accommodated on site

If attending a specialist course, training, or study event 

  • Official course details, including:
    • Course name and provider
    • Location
    • Contact person or course email
    • A short description of the course

Budget planning & financial evidence

  • Estimated trip cost breakdown showing:
    • What you propose the bursary to support
    • What costs you will fund yourself

Supporting evidence where relevant (screenshots are welcome), such as:

  • Return flight costs and details (airline, dates/times, baggage fees, VAT/charges, total cost)
  • Accommodation costs (official quote or clear cost estimate)
  • In-country travel (bus/rail/tram/airport transfers and total cost)
  • Benefits offered by the host, e.g., wages, allowances, or room/board
  • Conference or event registration fees, including delegate meal packages

Everything ready? Apply here