Ireland Fellows Programme 2026/27 (Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Ireland)

The Ireland Fellows Programme 2026/27 is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship opportunity for early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at top-tier universities in Ireland. Funded by the Irish Government through Irish Aid and the Department of Foreign Affairs, this program aims to develop future leaders who can contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and foster positive relationships with Ireland.

Since 1974, nearly 4,000 fellows from 79 countries have benefited from this initiative, gaining world-class education and skills to drive change in their home countries. You can also checkout HKUST Fully-Funded Postgraduate Scholarships

Key Benefits of the Ireland Fellows Programme

This fully funded scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees: Full academic fees for your Master’s program.
• Flights: Economy round-trip airfare to and from Ireland.
• Accommodation: Arranged and paid for during trimesters 1 and 2 (September to May); a monthly stipend of €800–€1,000 for trimester 3, depending on location.
• Living stipend: €700 monthly allowance to cover living expenses.
• Additional allowances: Settling-in allowance for initial needs and a completion/departure allowance.
• Visa and insurance: Covers visa application fees, medical, and travel insurance.
• Extracurricular opportunities: Access to training, volunteering, and networking to enhance leadership and professional skills.

The program supports a diverse range of Master’s programs (10–16 months) starting in August or September 2026, ensuring you can focus on your studies and growth without financial worries.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Ireland Fellows Programme 2026/27, you must:

• Reside in an eligible country:
  • Africa: 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, Zimbabwe. Specific fellowships (e.g., Courtney, Roger Casement, Kader Asmal) apply to Burundi, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia.
  • Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.
  • Latin America: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela.
  • Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree: Must be from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or equivalent (first or second-class honours). The degree must be awarded in 2014 or later (within the last 12 years).
• Have relevant work experience:
  • At least 2 years (Vietnam) or 3 years (Cambodia, Laos, and most African countries) of substantial work experience relevant to your chosen Master’s program.
• Not hold a Master’s degree: Applicants with a Master’s or higher degree are ineligible (except for Senegal, contact the Embassy for details).
• Demonstrate leadership potential: Show commitment to SDGs and building ties with Ireland.
• Meet English language requirements: Most programs require an IELTS or equivalent test score (check specific program requirements). Early preparation is advised, even for native English speakers.
• Be available in August/September 2026: Must start a new Master’s program and not have applied for the fellowship more than once before.
• Note: In some countries (e.g., Burundi, Zambia, Kenya), applications are by invitation only for staff of government departments or NGOs partnered with Irish Aid. Contact your local Irish Embassy to confirm eligibility.

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Available Fields of Study

The Ireland Fellows Programme supports Master’s programs in fields aligned with the SDGs, including:

• Agriculture
• Health
• Education
• Human Rights
• Law
• Governance
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Business
• Climate and Environmental Science
• Development Studies
• International Relations

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Specific fellowships focus on certain fields:

• Courtney Fellowship (Burundi): MPhil in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin.
• Roger Casement Fellowship (Nigeria): Master’s in Law, Human Rights, and Governance.
• Seán MacBride Fellowship (Namibia): Master’s in International Relations, Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, or International Law.
• Cecilia Grierson Award (Latin America): STEMM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine).

Eligible programs are listed in the Directory of Eligible Programmes on the official website. Applicants must select three programs relevant to their academic and professional background.

Application Process: Step-by-Step

The application process has three stages and runs from June 30 to July 25, 2025. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

• Confirm you meet the nationality, academic, and work experience requirements.
• Review the Directory of Eligible Programmes to select three suitable Master’s programs.
• Check English language requirements (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL scores) for your chosen programs.

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Step 2: Prepare Documents

Gather the following:

• Academic transcripts
• Passport copy
• Two reference letters
• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, if available)
• CV or resume highlighting relevant work experience

Step 3: Submit Stage 1 Application

• Complete the Stage 1 preliminary application form with personal and academic details.
• Submit by email to the relevant Irish Embassy or through the online portal by July 25, 2025.

Step 4: Stage 2 Detailed Application

• If shortlisted, submit a detailed application with all supporting documents by the specified deadline.

Step 5: Interviews and Language Tests

• Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
• You may need to take an online Duolingo English Test after Stage 2 and an IELTS exam if shortlisted post-interview (unless you have a valid IELTS certificate from September 2024 or later).

Step 6: Track Your Application

• Monitor your email and the official program portal for updates on your application status.

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Important Dates

• Application Opens: June 30, 2025
• Stage 1 Deadline: July 25, 2025
• Program Start: August or September 2026

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Ireland Fellows Programme website for detailed guidelines, the Directory of Eligible Programmes, and application forms.
2. Contact the Embassy of Ireland in your country for specific instructions or to confirm if applications are by invitation only.
3. For more information on studying in Ireland, check here