The Teagasc Walsh Scholarship 2026 offers highly motivated individuals committed to promoting innovation in dairy farming a distinguished and fully financed PhD opportunity in Ireland. This programme centres on the ground-breaking “Next Gen Milking” project, a large-scale research endeavour that aims to revolutionise the dairy industry by creating sophisticated, cow-level milking management techniques. By utilising contemporary technologies, data-driven insights, and sustainable farming methods, the ultimate objective is to increase milking efficiency, improve animal wellbeing, and guarantee superior milk quality.
The study will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Limerick and Teagasc Moorepark in County Cork, two of Ireland’s top universities known for their prowess in data science, engineering, and agricultural research. The University of Limerick offers excellent academic supervision and technical innovation skills, while Teagasc Moorepark offers a superb setting for applied and practical dairy research.
The esteemed VistaMilk SFI Academic Centre, a nationwide centre that brings together leading Irish universities, academic institutions, and business executives in the fields of agri-tech and dairy innovation, is home to this joint PhD. The successful scholar will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, chances for interdisciplinary collaboration that bridge science, technology, and sustainability, and mentorship from top experts as part of this alliance.
By creating more intelligent, effective, and welfare-focused milking systems that meet the changing demands of contemporary agriculture and complement international sustainability objectives, the chosen PhD candidate will help to shape the future of dairy farming.
Host Country: Ireland
University: University of Limerick
Opportunity Type: PhD
Subjects: Agricultural Sciences, Animal Sciences, Dairy, veterinary medicine
Eligibility Country: International Students, Domestic Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria:
- possess an honours degree in a relevant discipline that is first-class or upper-second-class.
- Demonstrate excellent problem-solving and data-analysis skills.
- It is preferable to have prior experience with modelling or statistical tools.
- must possess a current, complete driver’s licence.
- Meet the English language competency standards set forth by the University of Limerick.
- An advantage is having a master’s degree in a related field.
Benefits:
- €25,000 every year as a stipend for four years.
- complete reimbursement of annual university tuition up to €5,500.
- extra funding for professional development initiatives and international travel.
- access to cutting-edge research facilities, knowledgeable academic oversight, and chances for industrial involvement.
- Two of Ireland’s top universities are working together on a joint research project.
Deadline: 07 November 2025
