The Richard K. Degenhardt Belleek Collectors’ Scholarships

The Richard K. Degenhardt Belleek Collectors’ Scholarships were established in 2001 in memory of the late founder of the Belleek Collectors’ International Society, Richard Kennedy Degenhardt. T

he scholarships are a tribute to his definitive knowledge of Belleek Parian China, which remains renowned among collectors worldwide today.

The Scholarships were established by the Founder and Chair, Dr Linda Beard, and are funded through the ongoing personal commitment and efforts of Dr Beard as well as the generosity of many individuals and groups including Belleek collectors world-wide, international Belleek Chapters, special friends and family of Richard K. Degenhardt, the Belleek Pottery and the Belleek Collectors’ International Society.

These international scholarships, each of one year’s duration, are awarded annually to a small number of outstanding students of  Ulster University engaged in study in the fields of Ceramics and Celtic Studies at either undergraduate or graduate level.

The Scholarships give recipients financial assistance in order to undertake further specialised research in their areas of expertise, for example by attending courses abroad, visiting prestigious exhibitions or to fund travel and living costs for periods of research. Some of the resulting research has been published or used as a foundation for Scholars to progress their studies to PhD level.