The Secretariat of Secondary Schools (SSS) Strategic Development Plan 2022-2025 sets out to support Leader-Practitioner Research under Goal 4.5:
SSS encourages and supports the research activities of voluntary secondary principals and deputy principals and works to disseminate relevant outcomes from such activity.
SSS welcomes, affirms, and supports relevant research activity carried out by voluntary secondary school leaders and collaborates where feasible with such investigations and in the sharing of findings, recommendations, and pertinent publications.
In support of this action, applications for one of five annual research bursaries of €2,000 each are welcomed by the Secretariat, subject to the availability of funds, and under the following conditions:
Who can apply?
Any voluntary secondary principal or deputy principal who is currently in service, or who is on paid study leave.
What can I apply for?
The scheme will provide a once-off bursary of €2,000. Five such bursaries will be available each academic year, with awardees notified by the first week of December.
Can I apply for the bursary if my course is part-time?
Yes. The bursary is to assist relevant school leaders to undertake education-related research on a full-time or part-time basis.
I am currently undertaking further studies; can I still apply?
Yes, you are entitled to apply.
Does my research have to be at post-graduate level?
Yes, the scheme is to assist school leaders to undertake research in their chosen field but to be eligible for this bursary, such research must be comprehended within a recognised qualification at Masters or Doctorate level.
What are the criteria for a successful application?
Applications will be determined by the SSS Finance Committee. The criteria for selection will include:
· Relevance of proposed course to the professional lives of school leaders and second level education
· Potential for study to inform the ongoing policy agenda and work of the Secretariat of Secondary Schools
· Potential for research to enhance the quality of leading, teaching and learning
· Potential of the proposed study to advance the principal objects of SSS (see our Constitution here)
How do I apply?
The application form is provided below. Completed forms should be submitted to the Assistant General Secretary for Research, Development, and Training by 31st of October 2025.
Do I have to provide the Secretariat with a copy of my research if I am successful?
As set out in the Secretariat’s Strategic Development Plan, researchers in relevant fields are encouraged to share their research findings and conclusions with the organisation via the Assistant General Secretary for Education, Research & Development at any time.
Recipients of a bursary, however, are only required to provide an abstract of their work of not less than 500 words for consideration for publication by the Secretaria
JMB Research Bursary Application Form