The Opportunity

  • Fuel your dreams: Picture yourself developing your venture while receiving full scholarship for two years.
  • Unlock unlimited potential: Tap into the commercialisation resources and expertise of universities.
  • Guidance at every step: Join the vibrant Awaken Hub community for tailored support and mentorship.
  • Ignite your expertise: Earn a postgraduate qualification in entrepreneurship along your journey.
  • Plant seeds of change: Inspire generations and shape the future as an entrepreneurial role model in education.
  • Contribute to progress: Your experience as an entrepreneur to directly impact and support research efforts.

The Project

We will fund 3 embedded entrepreneurs: women founders from the cross-border North West region, Limerick to Derry corridor, who will be funded for up to 2 years to work on their entrepreneurial venture in a university setting.

Atlantic Futures is on a mission to combat regional inequality by embedding cross border collaboration & cooperation in the North West from Limerick to Derry.

Project partners include University of Galway, Ulster University, Atlantic Technological University and University of Limerick as well as AwakenHub.

Funded by the HEA North-South research programme we want to investigate the potential for women entrepreneurs to create new jobs, economic activity and meaningful opportunities in our region.

The details

  • Eligibility: Calling all visionary women founders with early-stage start-ups, operating for up to five years, rooted in the North West cross-border region including Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Donegal, Fermanagh, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway,Clare and Limerick.
  • Choose your hub: Base yourself at University of Galway, University of Ulster or Atlantic Technological University. Hybrid working for flexibility an option.
  • Secure funding: Receive a generous scholarship of €30,000 per year for 2 years, contingent on your progress and dedication.

Criteria and conditions

  • Spotlight on quality: Only meticulous and comprehensive applications will be considered for this life changing opportunity.
  • Mark your calendar: Ensure availability for interview on 3 or 4 July.
  • What sets you apart? Criteria for selection include the calibre of the entrepreneur, venture development, needs of the Atlantic Futures project.
  • Navigating IP: Universities have conditions around IP: we will discuss how this applies to your venture further in the process. Rest assured, we'll guide you through any intellectual property concerns.
  • Give back, grow stronger: Contribute to university life by contributing some guest lectures and mentoring sessions while honing your craft.
  • Scholarships are tax exempt for full-time students.
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