THE

Difference Maker

UNDERGRADUATE

OF THE YEAR

Are you the Difference Maker of the Year?

Chartered Accountants Ireland wants to celebrate the ‘Difference Makers’, students who are driving positive change and making an impact in their local community or wider society.

This award is for:

Students making a difference, whether in their local community or college, through involvement with a social movement, charity, clubs / organization, etc.
An undergraduate student in any discipline.
Final and penultimate year students.
Will accept students within and outside the EU.

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PRIZES

What could you win?

The winner will receive a ‘Career Kick Starter Package’ including:

1-2-1 mentoring with a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland who is working in a sector that is related to you/your difference making work

€/£1,000 cash towards your degree (college fees, accommodation, travel)

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Apply

WHAT IT TAKES

What makes an award winner?

We are looking for students who are passionate about making a difference and are already actively making a tangible impact in an area they are passionate about – that could be sustainability, mental health, education, community engagement, gender equality etc.

Check out the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide – you could already be contributing to any of these 17 great causes without even realising.

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Apply

FROM OUr PARTNER

Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Difference Maker Undergraduate of the Year Award

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Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s leading professional accounting education and membership body representing over 39,000 members in over 100 countries and educating 6,600 students in the prestigious ACA/CPA qualification, a globally recognised business leadership credential.

Chartered Accountants are influencers, problem-solvers, change-makers. They work around the world, in every industry, leading change and making a tangible difference to businesses, economies and society. We want to champion the ‘Difference Makers’ at 3rd level - students who are making a impact in their own ways.

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GOING ALL THE WAY

How do I win?

Register Online

Complete the application form and answer three questions set out by Chartered Accountants.

Deadline:

February

2026

Online tests

Deadline:

February

2026

Submit by

2 February

2026

Your details & online questions must be submitted and completed by the 1st of February 2026.

If you are successful in getting through to the next stage, you will hear from us by the 18th of February 2026.

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Assessment centre

The top 10/15 shortlisted candidates will be reviewed by Chartered Accountants.

The process to determine the award winner may involve a virtual or face-to-face interview.

This will be confirmed by the sponsor at a later date.

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Grand final

The final shortlist of ten students will be invited to the awards ceremony on the 1st of April 2026, at the Aviva Stadium where the award winners will be announced.

Apply