The prestigious George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship honors the Northern Ireland peace accord brokered by Senator Mitchell between the governments and peoples of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This generous scholarship allows one student from the University of Maine system to study at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland for one year or two students to study for one semester each. The scholarship includes tuition and fees, books, room & board, and a travel grant for airfare, and a living-expense stipend. For an application, contact Lynne Eustis, Assistant Director, Enrollment Services and Exchange Programs by email or telephone  (207) 778-7122, or stop by our office at Franklin Hall, 2nd Floor, Room 201. APPLICATION DEADLINE: The deadline for the 2008 / 2009 Academic Year is February 11, 2008. Applications must be received by February 11. Please note: faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Blank forms may be copied, but signatures must be original. Applications are also available on-line here. Selection date: The scholarship recipients are typically selected by April 9th---the anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accord on Good Friday 1998. Announcement date: Scholarship recipients will be notified by the University of Maine System in May--- the anniversary of the vote for the Peace Accord.

At minimum, all applicants must: be 18 years or older and be eligible for international travel at the time of the exchange. be a U.S. Citizen be a Maine resident for at least one year by the application deadline. have demonstrated leadership skills and a commitment to community service be a full-time matriculated undergraduate student in the University of Maine system, or have graduated from the UM system within the past year have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher have completed at least one semester of university study at the time of application have health insurance coverage throughout the exchange period. submit a complete and timely application that includes one letter from an institution administrator or faculty member with direct knowledge of the student's academic competence and one letter from a community member with direct knowledge of the student's community service

In tribute to George J. Mitchell

The George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship was created in tribute to The Honorable George J. Mitchell in recognition of his efforts to facilitate a peace accord in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

At the request of the British and Irish governments, Maine native and former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell served as Chairman of the International Commission on Disarmament in Northern Ireland. He later served as Chairman of the Peace Talks in Northern Ireland, which led to the adoption of the peace accord in May 1998.

George J. Mitchell was born in Waterville, Maine, and earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College. He later served as an officer in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps and earned a law degree from Georgetown University. He worked as a lawyer, served as U.S. Attorney for Maine in 1977, became a U.S. district court judge and was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1980, eventually becoming Senate Majority Leader. He retired from the Senate in 1995. During his 14-year career in the Senate, he championed major legislation, including the first significant acid rain bill, reauthorization of the Clean Air Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Superfund toxic cleanup legislation, campaign finance reform and universal health care. He also served on the Joint Congressional Committee to Investigate the Iran-Contra Affair in 1987.


Scholarship covers:

Tuition, fees, books and supplies, room & board covered. UCC provides stipend to cover most meals and some out of pocket expenses. In addition, the UMaine System provides a $1,000 travel grant. Additional expenses will depend on travel costs and individual choices.

Transfer of academic credit

UMS will assist scholarship recipients in determining the appropriate transfer of credits.

Important information on course selection for the Exchange

If you are interested in this exchange program, you should learn about the participating Irish institution, its course offerings (see website link above), and which of those courses might align with your home university program and future plans. Prior to submitting this application, you are required to identify the courses you want to take in Ireland, and your planned coursework must be approved by your university academic advisor, who must also sign the application. Even though your advisor will have approved the courses you intend to take in Ireland, you should bring syllabi and coursework home with you, in case there are questions concerning transfer credit. If you are awarded this exchange scholarship, you must file an "Away" registration form. For more information regarding UMS credit and registration, contact the Mitchell Scholarship advisor on your campus.

Courses open to GJM Peace Scholarship Students

Autumn Term (Arts Faculty)

Autumn Semester (Arts Faculty)

Certificate in Irish Traditional Music Studies

Junior Year Abroad (Arts, Business Studies, Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Law, Science, Social Science)

[If a student is studying at UCC for the full academic year, all courses (other than Medicine) are open provided the student has the necessary background. A student studying at UCC for the Autumn Semester may be permitted to take some year-long courses for half credit. However, the Departments of Computer Science, Mathematics and Accounting, Finance and Information Systems do not admit students unless they are studying at UCC for the full academic year. Spring Semester students are not allowed to join full-year courses.]

Getting to Cork and Getting Around in Cork:

There are no direct flights from the US to Cork. Connecting flights are available from London, Shannon, or Dublin. There is also bus service from Shannon Airport to Limerick, then bus or train to Cork (total under 2hrs). Air, train, or bus Dublin-Cork.
Students thinking of driving must have an international driving license and adequate car insurance, but a car is not necessary, because Cork is pedestrian friendly and public transportation is available in Cork and throughout Ireland.

Health and Medical Information:

Health and counseling service for students provided during UCC office hours. Service does not cover hospitalization or prescription charges. Students should register with a General Practitioner for doctor availability after hours. Payment is fee-for-service. Students must have their own private health insurance before arrival.

For more information
Contact Lynne Eustis, Assistant Director, Enrollment Services and Exchange Programs by email at leustis@maine.edu