NEWS: Public Relations Institute of Ireland Announces 2025 PR Bursary to Support Diversity in the Sector

The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), in partnership with the Open Doors Initiative (ODI) and Harris Public Relations, has announced that applications are open for the 2025 Public Relations Bursary. This initiative, now in its second year, is part of the PRII’s ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) in the communications sector.

The bursary offers a fully funded place on the PRII Diploma in Public Relations, along with a nine-month paid internship at Harris PR. The internship includes professional mentorship, development planning, and all necessary equipment to support the recipient’s success.

The programme is designed to support individuals from backgrounds or communities that are under-represented in the public relations sector. The selection process is managed with the guidance and expertise of the Open Doors Initiative, which works to create pathways to employment for marginalised groups through training, education, and entrepreneurship.

Chief Executive of the PRII, Dr. Martina Byrne, said: “By partnering with Harris PR and ODI, we hope to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in public relations. With this bursary, the successful candidate will be supported through continued education, upskilling, and practical on-the-job learning, ensuring that they are set up for success for a fruitful and rewarding career in the public relations profession.”

She further added that, “We know from PRII research on the sector that it’s not reflective of the diversity in our population. And we need to be, communications need to attract the best creative minds who have all kinds of lived experiences. That’s how you solve problems.”

Commenting on the announcement, Sonia Harris Pope, Founder and Managing Director of Harris PR, says: “Not everyone has a straightforward path to a career in PR – that’s certainly my own experience and that of many of my peers and colleagues. Public relations is an industry that really benefits from diverse perspectives and experiences and at Harris PR, we’re keen to invest in the next generation of talent. We already have a proven commitment to supporting those new to the profession and encouraging others to consider it and we encourage our peers in the industry to consider how they too can take an inclusive approach to nurturing new talent. 2024 saw our first successful candidate, Carolina Lucca, join us on her internship and quickly became part of our team, drawing on her own personal life and career experience to immerse herself in the world of PR.  For the second year of the Bursary, we’re hoping to connect with people who have not previously considered a role in PR, but who would thrive in our supportive, positive environment.”

Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of Open Doors Initiative, adds, “The Open Doors Initiative are delighted to once again work with the PRII and Harris PR to offer this opportunity to our participants. This opens a pathway to a new area of work in an engaging way to those who might not have considered PR as a possible career option. The success to date is a testimony to the fact that when the right supports are put in place, possibilities emerge and make the work in this area better for all.”

Reflecting on her experience to date, Carolina Lucca, Junior Account Executive at Harris PR and 2024-2025 Bursary candidate, says: “Receiving the bursary last year was an incredible opportunity that I’m very grateful for. It allowed me to gain hands-on experience from an amazing and supportive team while applying everything I was learning through the course. It’s been an invaluable experience, and I would encourage anyone considering applying to go for it – it’s a great opportunity to kickstart your career as well as getting a real insight into the world of PR.”

The ideal candidate will be curious, creative, and eager to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. They will gain hands-on experience working across a variety of campaigns and clients, with a strong support system in place to help them grow.

Applications are open now and will close on Monday, 7 July 2025. Full eligibility criteria and application details can be found here.

Picture: (L-R) Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of Open Doors Initiative; Dr. Martina Byrne, CEO of the PRII; Carolina Lucca, Junior Account Executive at Harris PR and 2024-2025 Bursary candidate and Sonia Harris Pope, Founder and Managing Director of Harris PR.

Written by: Editor