Two Portlaoise students who have been awarded a prestigious STEM scholarship are encouraging other Laois students to apply.

Sarah Daly and Ella McNulty, both former students of Scoil Chríost Rí in Portlaoise, were awarded the Naughton Foundation Scholarship to promote studies in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Winners are awarded a €25,000 scholarship to cover the associated costs of fees and accommodations during their studies.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live spoke to the students on their experience so far.

Ella McNulty has just finished her first year studying Biomedical Health and Life Sciences at University College Dublin.

"I have just finished my exams and I'm loving my course," Ms McNulty explained.

"I was so delighted to have won the scholarship, I honestly couldn't believe it. I applied for it because a girl I played sports with had won it two years previously, I said I'd just go for it.

Pictured: Scoil Chríost Rí Deputy Principal June O'Brien, Dr Martin Naughton and his wife Carmel, Ella McNulty and former Taoiseach Simon Harris

"The deadline was approaching and it was just about to close, it was a shot in the dark and it didn't take long to apply, only about 25 minutes," the Portlaoise student explained.

The scholarship is divided into €6,000 each year, where students can put towards their fees and accommodation.

"When my friends heard I had won, they all wished they had known about it, they would have applied too," Ms McNulty said.

"Your grades are considered in your application, but they also want to know what you're like as a person. I answered questions about my extracurricular activities, and some personal questions. It was lovely that there was a personal aspect to it," she said.

"I want people to know that anyone should apply. It was a last minute 'lets see' for me, I didn't expect to win it at all.

"Anyone who wants to study STEM should go for it. I would tell them not to let their expectations hold them back from doing it, people always end up getting more than they expect," she said.

"For me, the biggest worry about college was money. You don't find out you have won until October, and I remember during the first month of college, I had total imposter syndrome," she admitted.

"It was only when I was awarded the scholarship that I felt like I belonged there. It gave me a confidence boost, knowing that Naughton believed in me too," she said. 

Each year, the Naughton Foundation brings scholarship awardees to Kylemore Abbey for a free weekend of activities and fun.

"It was like I had been picked up out of this world, and dropped in another," Ms McNulty laughed.

"It was so amazing. You get to meet with past scholarship winners, and it really shows that Naughton don't just give you the fees and forget about you- they stick with you," she said.

Scholarship awardees chose between fun activities such as bog runs, hikes or archery.

"You also get the most gorgeous three course meal- the food was unbelievable, and there was a keynote speech from Leo Varadkar," she said.

"It feels like a family unit. There are so many of us, but i remember when we started, they told us that we were Naughtons now. It does feel like joining a family, I am so delighted to have won the scholarship," she said.

Sarah Daly recently finished her first year of studying Science at UCD. The student explained that she also couldn't believe she had won.

Pictured: Sarah Daly, Scoil Chríost Rí Deputy Principal June O'Brien, and Ella McNulty

"I had heard about the scholarship a few times from my guidance counsellor," Ms Daly said.

"I had told her I was interested in studying science after school, and she had posted the scholarship application on the school's Microsoft Teams page to encourage us. A previous scholarship winner also told me about it, so I said I'd go for it," she said.

"I was delighted and so surprised to have won. I had heard such great things about the scholarship, iand it has been a great help in paying for my accommodation," she said.

"It's very expensive to live in Dublin, so the scholarship was brilliant. But it has also been great for introducing me to new people, I have made really great friends that I can talk to and hang out with," she said.

"I really think Laois students should apply, it's such a great boost. I would recommend this scholarship to anyone studying STEM," she said.

"Kylemore Abbey was so much fun, I had a really amazing time. I met so many people over the weekend and had a great laugh doing the bog run. I really loved it," she said.

Each year from February to June, Leaving Certificate students can apply for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship scheme if they intend on studying science, computer science, mathematics, engineering or technology at third level that year.

The closing date for receipt of application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2025 is Saturday, 29th June 2025 at midnight. There will be one guaranteed scholarship for each of the participating counties, 36 allocated in total. 

Students are invited to apply if they are currently attending secondary schools in County Laois, and if they are studying two or more of the following subjects- physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, and applied mathematics. 

The school of each winner is also awarded €1,000. Applications must be submitted by midnight Saturday, 29th June 2025 to be considered eligible for the scholarship.

The 2025 application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship Programme are available for download and can be completed online on The Naughton Foundation website.

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