Climate Action Bursary offers €10,000 boost to Renewable Energy students

Applications are now open for the Niamh Burke Memorial Bursary, which will award a total of €10,000 to students pursuing studies linked to climate action and renewable energy in Ireland.

Candidates can apply here for the bursary until Friday 15th March at 5pm.

The bursary was established by leading law firm Arthur Cox LLP, in memory of their former colleague and Arthur Cox partner, Niamh Burke, who played a significant role in the development of the Irish wind energy sector and advised on some of Ireland’s largest, energy, infrastructure and construction projects.

All relevant disciplines are open for consideration including law, economics, engineering, policy, science, planning and others. It is open to students planning to study in these or related fields in Ireland, at postgraduate level in 2024. If more than one person is selected, the bursary monies will be split between the successful applicants.

Last year’s recipients Sean Murphy from Cavan and Karin Mackey from Tipperary impressed the judges with their commitment to working to tackle the climate emergency and their passion for their chosen fields of Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance, and Environmental and Natural Resources in Law, respectively.

Speaking ahead of the 2024 bursary launch Sean Murphy said:

“I just completed the first semester of Smurfit’s MSc in Sustainable Finance. The award has been a huge financial support in pursuing the Masters. I am currently in the process of applying for summer internships in the space with the hope of securing graduate employment afterwards. I would recommend anyone interested in studying in this area to apply.”

Karin Mackey added:

“I am extremely grateful to Arthur Cox and Wind Energy Ireland for choosing me to be a recipient of the Niamh Burke Memorial Bursary, it has been a huge honour. I am currently commencing my second semester of the LLM Environmental and Natural Resources Law in UCC and have been gaining valuable knowledge that I have been able to integrate into my daily work.”

Danielle Conaghan, Partner, Energy Group and Head of Environment and Planning, Arthur Cox LLP, said:

“We are very pleased to continue providing this bursary in memory of our colleague Niamh Burke. Ireland has the potential to be at the forefront of the energy transition and we want to support the next generation who are working towards a carbon-neutral future.”

Dave Linehan, Head of Research, Wind Energy Ireland said: “We are supporting future leaders in Ireland’s fight against climate change. This bursary gives a boost to young people looking to work in wind and renewables. It is a really important bursary and needed now more than ever as we fight to meet our climate action targets.”

The bursary was launched in 2020 and has already helped eight people with their studies. It is funded by Arthur Cox and Niamh’s family, to offer opportunities to a new generation of renewable energy experts. The fund is administered by Wind Energy Ireland.

Previous recipients have used the bursary to study at University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Cork, Dublin City University and the Law Society of Ireland.

Could you be our 2024 recipient? Apply now – closing date is Friday 15th March 2024 at 5pm.