Postgraduate Study Programmes

Enterprise Ireland is promoting a number of scholarships to attend postgraduate programmes at the Summer School in Alpbach, Austria and the International Space University in Strasbourg.

Summer School Alpbach 2008

The Alpbach Summer School is organised by the Aeronautics and Space Agency of FFG (the Austrian research promotion agency) and co-sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA), with support from the International Space Science Institute. The 10-day Summer School provides in-depth teaching on aspects of space science and space technology with the aim of advancing the training and working experience of European graduates, post-graduate students, young scientists and engineers. It takes place in Alpbach, in Austria's Tyrol region from 22 - 31 July 2008.

The theme for the 2008 Summer School is "Sample Return Missions from the Moon and Asteroids". Applications are made directly to the Summer School, and financial support will be offered by Enterprise Ireland to a limited number of successful Irish candidates.

Scholarships: Enterprise Ireland will fund a number of Irish students at €1,500 each towards the cost of attending the Summer School. To apply, go to Alpbach Summer School

Costs: The Summer School registration fee is €350. This covers working material, free access to copying and computers, e-mail and internet facilities at the School House, coffee breaks and dinner vouchers throughout the period of the Summer School, including the weekend. Costs for bed & breakfast accommodation amount to about €35 per night, and a stay of 11 nights is essential. It is expected that successful students make their own travel arrangements.

Closing Date: 31 March 2008

International Space University

The International Space University (ISU), based in Strasbourg, offers an intensive two-month long Summer Session Programme (SSP) held at a different international location every year. In addition, they run a one-year MSc in Space Studies (MSS) and an MSc in Space Management (MSM). Applications for all courses are made directly to the ISU. Enterprise Ireland and the European Space Agency jointly offer scholarships to both the MSS and SSP programmes as described below.

Summer Session Programme

The Space Studies Programme is a unique international, interdisciplinary and intercultural programme focussed on space exploration and development. This year's SSP will be hosted by the University of Naples, Italy from 30 June to 29 August 2008.

Fees: €17,000 (full board and lodging included).

Scholarships: Enterprise Ireland and the European Space Agency will jointly fund the fees for a number of Irish graduates to attend the SSP in 2008. Successful candidates will be expected to self-finance their travel and any other expenses incurred. To apply, go to ISU

Closing Date: 30 April 2008

Master of Science in Space Studies (MSS)

The MSS program is designed for students looking for a competitive edge that will help them obtain a career in the space sector. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree and will primarily be assessed based on their academic and professional qualifications.

Fees: The tuition fees for the MSS course are €25,000.

Scholarships: Enterprise Ireland and the European Space Agency will jointly pay tuition fees for a number of Irish students to participate in the MSS programme in 2008. Successful candidates are expected to self-finance their own travel and living expenses. In addition to the EI-sponsored scholarships described, the ISU will offer three full scholarships for both their MSS and MSC courses in 2008. To apply, go directly to ISU

Closing Date: 15 March 2008

ESA Internships and Fellowships

The European Space Agency (ESA) offers a number of postdoctoral fellowships and other postgraduate opportunities, details of which may be found below. More details can be found on ESA's dedicated education website ESA

SUCCESS (Space station Utilisation Contest Calls for European Student initiativeS)

SUCCESS is a competition for European university students (up to Masters level) from all disciplines to propose an experiment that could fly on board the International Space Station (ISS). The first prize of the competition is a one-year internship at ESA's space research and technology centre, ESTEC, in the Netherlands. At ESTEC, the winner of the contest can work on his/her experiment with the possibility of qualifying it for flight to the ISS. Research areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Life sciences
• Physical sciences
• Space sciences
• Technology
• Earth observation

Applicants are invited to describe their experiment idea in an essay of no more than 800 words. To register, go to ESASUCCESS

Closing Date: 1 February 2008

Postdoctoral Fellowships

ESA  also offer a number of postdoctoral fellowships, details of which can be found on their website. Their fellowship programmes aim to offer young scientists and engineers the possibility of carrying out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. Applicants must have recently attained their doctorate or be close to successfully completing studies in space science, space applications or techniques, or other fields closely connected to space activities.

For information on applying for any of the above programmes please contact:

Dr Bryan Rodgers International Technology Programmes Tel: +(353 1) 8082471