Ireland Fellows Programme (Fully-Funded) for 2025-2026 | How to Apply

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The Ireland Fellows Programme provides early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, who exhibit leadership potential, with the opportunity to receive a prestigious, world-class education that contributes to capacity building. Selected participants can undertake a fully funded one-year master’s program at a higher education institution in Ireland. The award covers tuition fees, flights, accommodation, and living expenses. Eligible master’s programs in Ireland begin in August or September each year and typically last between 10 and 16 months.

The Ireland Fellows Programme champions gender equality, equal opportunity, and diversity. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, the program encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds. This includes individuals with disabilities, those from minority or disadvantaged groups, women, and those whose gender identity does not conform to the male/female binary.

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The Programme aims to nurture future leaders, enhance in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals, and foster positive relationships with Ireland. 

Graduates of the Programme are expected to apply the skills they acquire to contribute to capacity building in their home countries, positioning themselves as the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. Additionally, they are anticipated to foster enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages. 

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Programme aligns with the Irish Government’s commitments under Global Ireland and the national implementation plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, and Global Citizens 2030 Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy, as well as Global Ireland: Ireland's Strategy for Africa to 2025; Global Ireland: Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region; Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States; and Global Ireland: Ireland's Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025. The programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries. Programme implementation in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS). 

Eligible Countries: 

AngolaBurundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

For country-specific requirement, CLICK HERE.

Eligible Courses: 

Eligible courses are in areas such as agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business and more, and are listed in a Directory of Eligible Programmes.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2025, applicants must: 

Be a resident national of one of the countries listed below: 

Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

The Fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support or visas for spouses or dependents are not included within the scope of the programme. 

How to Apply for Ireland Fellows Programme

To apply, visit https://www.irishaidfellowships.ie/strands/ireland-fellows-programme-africa to commence your application.

Applications

Please read the Applicant Guidance Note carefully before completing as eligibility criteria may differ from country to country. 

The application process consists of three stages:

Stage 1   Preliminary Application;

Stage 2   Detailed Application;

Stage 3   Interviews.

All applicants who are selected to progress after the second stage will be required to sit an online Duolingo English Test. If shortlisted after the interview stage, all applicants will be required to take another English language test, normally the IELTS exam, unless they are already in possession of an IELTS certificate that is dated 2023 or later which shows the applicant has achieved the necessary score for the course(s) they intend to apply to. Early preparation for the IELTS exam is strongly advised, even for native English speakers.

Application Deadline: July 31, 2024