Empowering The Future Of PR: Harris PR Opens Applications For Third Annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Belonging Bursary
The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), the Open Doors Initiative (ODI) and award-winning communications agency Harris PR today announced that applications are now open for the 2026/27 Harris PR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Bursary.
Now in its third year, the bursary has been developed by Harris PR in partnership with the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), under the guidance of the Open Doors Initiative (ODI), to create meaningful pathways into the public relations and communications profession for people from underrepresented backgrounds. The initiative reflects the shared commitment of all three organisations to building a more diverse, inclusive and representative communications industry in Ireland.
The Bursary
The successful candidate will receive a nine-month paid internship at Harris PR and a fully funded place on the PRII Diploma in Communications and Public Relations. The bursary includes equipment, structured training, mentorship and ongoing professional development, providing both academic learning and practical agency experience throughout the programme. The Open Doors Initiative will support the recruitment process.
The Candidate
The bursary is designed for someone who is passionate about beginning a career in communications, regardless of previous experience in the sector. We're looking for an individual who is curious, creative and eager to learn, and who will thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative agency environment.
Applications are encouraged from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, people with disabilities, members of the Traveller and Roma communities, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, career returners and individuals without a formal degree.
Commenting on the announcement, Sonia Harris Pope, Founder and Managing Director of Harris PR, says: "Creating a more representative communications industry requires more than simply a conversation. This bursary is one of the ways we're helping to remove barriers to entry while investing in talented people who may not otherwise have considered a career in PR.
Diversity of thought, experience, background and perspective makes our industry stronger and better equipped to communicate with the audiences we serve, while ensuring we better reflect the communities and clients we work with. Alongside the bursary, we've continued to drive meaningful change through Ireland's first DEI benchmarking research for the PR sector and the development of an Employer Toolkit to support more inclusive recruitment and workplace practices.
Our DEI benchmarking research found that one in five PR agencies in Ireland have no employees from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the need for continued action. With just 45% of PR agencies reporting that they have a formal DEI policy in place, we hope this initiative continues to inspire others across our industry to create opportunities that open doors for future talent."
Chief Executive of the PRII, Laura Wall comments: “Public Relations and Communications are strongest when it reflects the diversity of the audiences and communities we work to communicate with. So, by creating accessible pathways into the profession, we can attract the broadest range of talent and perspectives. We're proud to continue our partnership with Harris PR and the Open Doors Initiative for a third year, helping to remove barriers to entry and support individuals who may not have previously considered a career in communications. Through a combination of professional education, and practical agency experience, this bursary gives the successful candidate the skills, confidence and network to build a rewarding career in our industry, while strengthening the future of the profession as a whole."
Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of Open Doors Initiative, adds, "The Open Doors Initiative is delighted to continue our partnership with the PRII and Harris PR for the third year of the bursary. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to build a meaningful career, regardless of the barriers they may have faced. This bursary creates a pathway into the communications industry for promising individuals who may never have considered public relations as an accessible career. Seeing previous bursary recipients grow in confidence demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when organisations work together to create inclusive opportunities. We're proud to support another candidate as they take this exciting next step."
Reflecting on her experience completing the bursary over the last year, Vika Hurska, Senior Account Executive at Harris PR and 2025/26 Bursary candidate, says:
“Having worked in public relations in Ukraine, I was eager to continue my career after fleeing the war in Ukraine and coming to Ireland, but breaking into a new industry and building a professional network in a different country can be challenging. The Harris PR DEIB Bursary gave me that opportunity.
Studying for the PRII Diploma while gaining hands-on agency experience helped me build my confidence, develop a deeper understanding of the Irish communications industry and apply my previous experience in a new market. The support and encouragement I received throughout the programme made a real difference.
I would encourage anyone considering applying to take that first step. If you're passionate about communications and looking for an opportunity to grow your career, this bursary can open doors that can be difficult to open on your own."
How do I qualify and apply for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Bursary?
Candidates must be aged over 18 and have passed a minimum of five subjects in the Leaving/Senior Certificate (or equivalent) or hold a qualification at Level 7 of the National Framework of Qualifications. These requirements can be waived if the candidate has two years or more professional experience in a public relations or communications role.
Proficiency in English (written and verbal) is a requirement and shortlisted applicants may be asked to undertake a writing task at interview.
No experience or qualifications in PR/Communications is required for this opportunity. We are looking for someone who is passionate and motivated to start a new career in this industry.
Interested applicants should provide the following, by email, to [email protected]
- Career resume/CV
- One-page letter explaining your suitability and motivation for taking the course
- One-minute video highlighting your experience and motivation for applying for the bursary.
The application will be assessed by the PRII, Harris PR and the Open Doors Initiative and, if shortlisted, an interview scheduled.
The Open Doors Initiative is an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from people from under-represented groups in society, including but not exclusive to, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, people with a criminal history, members of the Travelling Community, and anyone facing additional barriers to employment.
Closing date for applications is Tuesday, August 11th at 5pm.
About Harris PR:
Harris Public Relations is an award-winning, culturally fluent, full-service PR agency based in Ireland, celebrating 17 years in business this year. Founded in 2009 by Sonia Harris Pope, the agency was built on the beliefs that clients deserve creative PR expertise delivered with integrity, collaboration, transparency and a truly client-centric approach, and that the exceptionally talented team deserves to work in an environment that recognises their contribution, working together to create a better world through work we are proud of. Our foundations are rooted in the work we produce and the way we show up: strategic crafting of stories, creative ideation, and thoughtful partnership with clients and partner agencies. With extensive experience across food & beverage, retail, health & wellness, sustainability, festivals, hospitality & tourism, tech, motoring and not-for-profit sectors, we pride ourselves on nurturing long-standing client relationships and delivering measurable, meaningful impact.
Our heritage is in Consumer PR but creativity is in the DNA of the work we do, delivering full traditional and Digital PR services for world famous brands, local start-ups and not-for-profits.
Our culture is integral to our work. Our industry thrives on diverse perspectives and experiences, and as Ireland continues to evolve into a more inclusive nation, so too must the PR industry. At Harris PR, we are committed to investing in the next generation of talent and have a strong track record of supporting those new to the profession and encouraging others to consider it. Early in 2026 we conducted Ireland’s inaugural research report benchmarking DEI in Public Relations agencies and internal communications teams. Working with the PRII, PRCA and ODI we created a Toolkit for Employers to support them in improving DEI practices in their hiring processes and workplace culture.
About PRII
The PRII is the professional representative body for public relations and communications practitioners in Ireland. Established in 1953, the Institute is dedicated to promoting the highest professional and ethical practice of public relations.
There are currently over 1,200 members of the Institute working across all sectors: in-house in private and public companies; in national and local government and in semi-state bodies; in voluntary and charitable organisations; and in agencies.
About ODI
The Open Doors Initiative provides opportunities to some of the under-represented members of our society. They create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.
Some of the people they work with include refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth, those from a Traveller or Roma background, LGBTIQ+, people with a criminal past, and any intersectionality between the groups.
In Ireland today, these groups face higher barriers to employment than most others. Many are cut out of work, even during the recent times of nearly full employment.
