The Society offers annual educational grants to individuals with bleeding disorders—including carriers—and their immediate family members who are pursuing post-secondary education. The purpose of the grants is to assist students with the extra expenses of their studies.
What Types Of Educational Grants Are Available?
There are four categories of grants available: Maureen & Jack Downey Educational Grant, Father Paddy McGrath, Michael Davenport, and the Margaret King Educational Grant.
What Is The Criteria For Applying?
The criteria for the Maureen & Jack Downey Educational Grant:
For people with mild, moderate or severe inherited bleeding disorders including asymptomatic carriers with normal levels and symptomatic carriers with levels of between 5% and 40%, who are classified as people with mild haemophilia. Degree course level: 7 to 9. Grants range from €1,000 to €4,000.
The criteria for the Father Paddy McGrath Educational Grant:
For people with mild, moderate or severe inherited bleeding disorders including asymptomatic carriers with normal levels and symptomatic carriers with levels of between 5% and 40%, who are classified as people with mild haemophilia and immediate family members. PLC (or other similar course) course level 5 & 6. Grants range from €250 to €1,000.
The criteria for the Michael Davenport Educational Grant:
For people with mild, moderate or severe inherited bleeding disorders including asymptomatic carriers with normal levels and symptomatic carriers with levels of between 5% and 40%, who are classified as people with mild haemophilia. For mature students aged 24 years plus doing a Masters or PHD course. Grants range from €1,000 to €4,000.
The criteria for the Margaret King Educational Grant:
For immediate family members (spouse, son, daughter, sister, brother, mother or father) of people with mild, moderate or severe inherited bleeding disorders. Degree course level: 7 to 9. Grants range from €500 to €2,000.
How Much Are The Educational Grants For?
Maureen & Jack Downey Educational Grant
First prize €4,000
Second prize €2,000
Third prize €1000
Father Paddy McGrath Educational Grant (2 Grants)
A person with the bleeding disorder
First prize €1,000
Second prize €500
Third prize €250
A family member of a person with the bleeding disorder
First prize €500
Second prize €250
Third prize €125
Michael Davenport Educational Grant
Grants ranging from €1000 to €4000
Margaret King Educational Grant
First prize €2,000
Second prize €1,000
Third prize €500
How are the applications scored and who scores them?
Once the closing date arrives and all the applications have been received, a subgroup of three people from the executive board (which cannot include anyone with a family member applying for any of the grants) meet to consider and score the applications, and make recommendations to the rest of the executive board regarding recipients. The successful applicants are then notified at the end of October by letter.
Applications are scored on the following:
- The quality of the application.
- The information given on the application form.
- Involvement in the Irish Haemophilia Society.
- Financial need.
- How many in the family are going to college.
- If the application is a first time application.
Can I Apply Every Year?
Yes, you can apply every year, even if you have already been successful. Remember that even if you are eligible to apply for multiple grants, you can only apply to one each year.
Take some time to complete your application, as the more complete and detailed your application is, the higher your chance is of it being successful! Remember that all grant applications must be written by the person applying.