Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any funding available for students to pursue a PhD in evolutionary computing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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1The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) primarily funds PhD scholarships and early stage postdoctoral fellowships. Selection is on the basis of excellence following assessment by expert independent panels. There is no emphasis on funding one discipline over another and awards are made solely on the basis of academic excellence and in accordance with published assessment criteria.

The EMBARK Initiative, a scheme specifically tailored to those who wish to pursue a Masters or PhD, is currently open and accepts applications from eligible applicants wishing to carry out their research in the Republic of Ireland. The deadline for submissions of applications is February 15th 2012. Included in the range of discipline areas funded is Computer Science of which Evolutionary Computation or Computing is a sub-field.