By Business & Finance 
The Business & Finance Awards UCD Smurfit School MBA Scholarship is calling for applications to be submitted by May 17, 2026. Applications can be made online at www.smurfitschool.ie/businessandfinancescholarship.
“At UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a commitment to student success is at the heart of everything we do,” said Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School and Associate Dean of UCD College of Business. “Through world-class education, global alumni network, and industry connections, we empower our students with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to excel in an ever-evolving business landscape. Our partnership with the Business & Finance Awards supports our commitment to inspire, support, and shape future leaders to have an impact on business and society.”
Now in its sixth year, the Business & Finance Awards UCD Smurfit School MBA Scholarship supports one high-calibre applicant with a 100% scholarship to join the full-time MBA or the Executive MBA, which will begin in August 2026.
The scholarship provides a unique opportunity for an individual to advance their professional goals through an MBA qualification from Ireland’s leading business school and gain access to some of Ireland’s most successful business leaders through the B&F network.
Past recipients include former Dublin GAA star Éamon Fennel, who was the recipient of the inaugural B&F Awards MBA Scholarship. Ruth Baldwin was the B&F Awards Scholar in 2022 and is the Safety Approvals Manager at Iarnród Éireann, Irish Rail and holds both a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Masters in Engineering, Structural Engineering with Architecture from UCD.
The 2023 B&F Awards scholar was Ronan Lowe, a Revenue Accountant at ICON Plc. Ronan holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from DCU, as well as a Diploma in Corporate Finance from Chartered Accountants Ireland. The 2024 scholar, James Mitchell, studied Mathematics at the undergraduate level before moving into trading and finance.
The current scholar is Rory O’Sullivan, who is a Global Trade Advisor with Dawn Meats. Read about Rory’s career journey and reasons for undertaking the UCD Smurfit School Executive MBA here.
“I’m passionate about helping Irish businesses thrive internationally and want to continue to build on that,” he said. “The Executive MBA at UCD Smurfit School is already giving me the skills to take on more complex challenges — and just as importantly, it’s given me a remarkable network and a boost in confidence. Working alongside such talented peers has sharpened my perspective and raised my performance.”
Applications can be made online at www.smurfitschool.ie/businessandfinancescholarship before the 17th of May 2026.
