About the programme

The Spiorad na Mara Scholarships Programme provides support for those planning to enter a four-year degree course at a university in Scotland. There are five scholarships available: three to support studies in STEM, and two to support studies in Gaelic language and culture.

Successful applicants will be awarded £2,500 per year, for four years.

The programme is now open for applications for the 2025/26 academic year.

Who can apply?

The scholarships are available to all final-year students at the four secondary schools in the Outer Hebrides: the Nicolson Institute (Lewis), Sir E Scott (Harris), Sgoil Lionacleit (Benbecula) and Sgoil Bagh a Chaisteil (Barra).

Studies within the following study areas will be considered: 

• STEM Study (3 scholarships available)

Degree studies within the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Courses could include:

• Engineering – Mechanical, Electrical or Civil
• Environmental and Ecological Science
• Renewable Energy
• Sustainable Development
• Biodiversity
• Earth, Marine or Biological Sciences

• Gaelic Language and Culture (2 scholarships available)

Degree courses inspired or influenced by Gaelic language and culture.

Study areas could include:

• Archaeology with Gaelic Studies
• Gaelic Language and Culture
• Gaelic Culture and Art
• Gaelic Culture and Music

Please note that teacher training courses will not be considered as part of this programme.

Scholarship award

Each student awarded with a scholarship will receive an amount of £2,500 per academic year, for a four-year period of study, subject to terms and conditions set outbelow. The annual amount will be paid in two equal instalments, one in September and the second in February of the relevant academic year.

Assessment process and criteria

All applications received will be assessed by an independent panel.

In assessing the merits of the applications, the assessment panel will be guided by, and award marks for, the following:

• Relevance to the theme (25 marks)
  Evidence that the student has understood the theme and the brief, irrespective of the form the project takes.
• Originality (25 marks)
  Evidence of the work and/or the thinking or logic that informs it being distinct or displaying individuality.
• Imagination (25 marks)
  Evidence of creativity in how the student has interpreted the brief, developed a solution or presented an argument.
• Coherence (25 marks)
  A clear thread running through the project that connects all elements and links back to the theme provided.

The decisions of the independent assessment panel will be final, and no appeals will be accepted. Canvassing members of the independent assessment panel will disqualify applicants from consideration for a scholarship.

 Meet the members of our Assessment Panel.

Application requirements

Applicants for the programme must prepare and submit two original pieces of work via the Spiorad na Mara website.  We will accept applications in Gaelic and English.

1. A personal statement (between 500 and 1,000 words)

We would like to know something about you. Your hopes and dreams for the future, and what you enjoy doing. An original statement is preferable to one prepared for the UCAS process, and applicants are encouraged to be themselves and display their personality.

2. A project or original work based on the theme “Energy in a changing world”

We would like to see an original piece of work created in response to the theme “Energy in a changing world”. The form this project takes is entirely up to you and should reflect how you communicate best and what inspires you the most.

We are happy to receive a variety of forms and approaches, for example;

• A work of art or music
• A short story or poem (maximum 1,500 words)
• A short film or animation (maximum 5 minutes in length)
• A design for a construction or invention

These deliverables must be submitted digitally. Please note that use of Artificial Intelligence in the preparation of any part of these works is not allowed.

In addition to these submissions, confirmation must be provided that you have been successfully admitted to any of the eligible study courses at a university in Scotland. If you have applied but are not yet registered in any of these courses, or the university acceptance of your application to an eligible study course is conditional, you can still apply to this scholarships programme, but the awarding of the scholarship will be dependent on you receiving an unconditional offer of a course place.

Timetable

Applications will be assessed as soon as possible after the deadline for submissions and successful applicants will be notified by email in August 2025. Successful applicants will then be asked to complete and sign a letter of offer and confirm their bank details so that payments can be made.

• 24 April 2025 – Launch of Scholarships Programme
• 20 June 2025 – Deadline for submissions
• August 2025 – Successful applicants notified

Additional requirements

By submitting your application you agree to:

• Submit a short progress report in mid-January of each academic year, confirming that you are still engaged in full-time study on the course for which the scholarship was awarded.
• Take part in publicity and marketing opportunities related to the programme.
• Accept the terms and conditions that apply to these scholarships.

Submitting an application

When you are ready to submit your application, complete the online Application Form and attach the requested items. A copy of the Application Form is available below.

Checklist for Items to Submit:

☐   Personal statement

☐   Project / Original work

☐   Confirmation of university placement

☐   Read the Terms and Conditions

If you have any queries about the programme or your submission, please contact Kathleen Milne at kathleen.milne@northlandpower.com