University scholarships and competitions

Matheson is delighted to launch its 2026 Tim Scanlon Corporate Law Bursary, which honours late Matheson partner and former Chairperson, Tim Scanlon. Established since 2022, the bursary is delivered as part of Matheson’s Impactful Business Programme and is open to undergraduate and postgraduate law students.

As part of our commitment to developing exceptional talent and providing equal opportunity within the legal profession, the Tim Scanlon Corporate Law Bursary presents students with a fantastic opportunity to receive mentoring opportunities, a piece of Irish art or craft, as well as financial support. The recipient of the Tim Scanlon Corporate Law Bursary will receive:

• a bursary of €5,000;
• an internship placement in Matheson’s Corporate department; and
• in recognition of Tim’s passion for the arts, a piece of Irish art or craft in lieu of a bursary award trophy.

Application Details

Applicants must submit an essay of 1,200 words (excluding footnotes of reasonable length and citations) discussing one of the following topic:

“Increased sustainability reporting has transformed corporate disclosure obligations.”

Does the EU regulatory framework in its current form strike the right balance for Irish companies?

Eligibility

Applicants must be based in a university, college of education, or equivalent third level institution on the island of Ireland.

The 2026 Tim Scanlon Corporate Law Bursary is now closed. Applications for the 2027 Tim Scanlon will open again in March 2027.

Register now for the Matheson UCD Corporate Governance Hackathon 2026

The Matheson UCD Corporate Governance Hackathon invites students from all disciplines to come together and create solutions to the following topic:

“Imagine a multinational company facing a perfect storm: new tariffs, AI-driven workforce changes, ESG scrutiny, and a geopolitical crisis affecting supply chains. Design a governance toolkit that helps boards respond quickly and responsibly, balancing legal obligations, ethical considerations, and strategic priorities. What does good governance look like when everything is at stake.”

The Hackathon presents a chance to win a cash prize, engage in meaningful career development through skills practice, and network with several market leading international employers.   This exciting event will give students the opportunity to collaborate, innovate, develop solutions and pitch proposals that take a deep dive into multinational companies facing geopolitical instability. 

In taking part, students will be given the opportunity to develop key career skills such as problem solving, research, teamwork, networking, innovation, and public speaking. Students will also learn more about graduate recruitment opportunities from a range of organisations, including hearing from Matheson partners and our graduate recruitment team about Matheson’s programmes, while also having the chance to connect with other students and enjoy a day full of energy! 

Benefits

• A €5,000 prize for the winning team;
• Free food throughout the day;
• Meet with Matheson partners and lawyers as well as key clients;
• Develop key career skills such as  problem solving, research, teamwork, networking, innovation and public speaking;
• Learn more about graduate recruitment opportunities, including hearing from Matheson partners and graduate recruitment team members about Matheson’s graduate programmes;
• Connect with students and enjoy a day full of energy.

Hackathon details

• Event will run on Wednesday, 15 April 2026 from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
• Located in Astra Hall, UCD Belfield
• No previous experience of hackathons required
• Enter as an individual, become part of a team on the day
• Equipment needed – laptop and charger

Spaces are limited, so please register now.

Applications close 14 April 2026.

The Matheson Cara Scholarship is delivered as part of our Impactful Business Programme and is named in honour of late Matheson partner, Cara O’Hagan. At Matheson, Diversity is one of our core values and the promotion of both diversity and inclusion across our business, and the wider legal profession is a key priority for us.  This scholarship is dedicated to creating opportunities, fostering talent and supporting university students to succeed in their early careers.

The scholarship is open to second year undergraduate students in TCD, including students on the Higher Education Access Route or the Disability Access Route to Education schemes, mature students and students who face barriers in third level education.

The Matheson Cara Scholarship is just one of Matheson’s many Impactful Business Programme initiatives, which encompass the firm’s diversity and inclusion, arts, environmental sustainability, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, together with its pro bono and employee wellbeing activities.

The Matheson Cara Scholarship for 2026 is now closed. Applications for the 2027 Cara Scholarship will open to Trinity College Dublin students again in October 2026.

At Matheson, we pride ourselves on being Ireland’s oldest law firm and a founding pillar of the Irish legal landscape. Our strong past means that we are built to endure – backed by a solid commitment to never stand still. We are always looking ahead, and always looking to find the next generation of top student and graduate minds. 

 We recognise the importance of choosing the right law firm for you and getting your career off to the best possible start. We know that you want the opportunity to work with the world’s most recognisable brands, and play your part in the most innovative and significant transactions in modern history. 

 We call this The Matheson Way, and through our many student and graduate programmes, such as the First Step Programme, we invite you to experience The Matheson Way for yourself. 

 We are committed to empowering you, developing your true potential and giving you opportunity paired with responsibility to soar to new heights. 

 Are you ready to take that first step towards your future career? Apply today for the Matheson Scholarship in Law Plus, which aims to strengthen our relationship with the University of Limerick and it’s students.  

 We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, and we believe that our programmes will support, encourage and enable you to develop your potential for our future summer intern and trainee lawyer programmes. 

(a) Eligibility 

 The Scholarship is open to first year Law Plus students.   

(b) Award prizes  

 The recipient of the scholarship will receive: 

• a bursary of €5,000; and 

• a position on the Matheson First Step Programme. 

(c) Application Details 

You will be required to fill out a short application form and write a short summary (maximum 1,000 words) as to why you believe you should be the recipient of the Matheson Scholarship in Law Plus 2026. . 

Spaces are limited, so please register now.

Applications close 01 April 2026.