Ireland Fellows Programme are now ! Accepting Applications For Africa 2025-26

📄 Fellowship: Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa

📆 Duration: 10 to 16 months, starting August or September each year

🔵 Mode: Full-time, on-campus

💰 Stipend: Fully funded (includes programme fees, flights, accommodation, and living costs)

⏳ Deadline: Specific deadlines vary by country, typically several months before the start of the programme

🏛️ Organization: Irish Government, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

🗺️ Countries Eligible: 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

🏷️ Tags: Education, Capacity Building, Leadership, SDGs, International Development

🌐 About Organization:

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Programme aligns with the Irish Government’s commitments under various international strategies and policies. It aims to nurture future leaders, develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and build positive relationships with Ireland. The Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities and from minority or disadvantaged groups.

🚀 About Fellowship:

The Ireland Fellows Programme enables early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building. It offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation, and living costs. Eligible master’s level programmes in Ireland commence in August or September each year and, depending on the programme, will run for between 10 and 16 months.

The aims of the Programme are to nurture future leaders, develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals, and build positive relationships with Ireland. Graduates are expected to return home and contribute to capacity building and leadership in their respective fields. It is also envisaged that they will contribute to building enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages.

🏆 Benefits:

• Fully funded master’s level programme in Ireland
• Coverage of programme fees, flights, accommodation, and living costs
• Opportunity to study at prestigious Irish higher education institutions
• Development of leadership skills and professional networks
• Contribution to home country’s capacity building and development goals
• Promotion of positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland

🎓 Eligibility Criteria:

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

• Residency: 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, Zimbabwe.
  • For Burundi, please see both this document and the Courtney Fellowship page.
  • For Nigeria, please see both this document and the Roger Casement Fellowship page.
  • For Namibia, please see the Seán Mac Bride Fellowship page.
  • For South Africa, please see the Kader Asmal Fellowship page.
  • For Zambia, please see both this document and the Frank Ferguson Fellowship page.
  • For African SIDS (Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sao Tomé and Príncipe), please see the Ireland-SIDS Fellows page.
• Work Experience: Have a minimum of two or three years’ substantial work experience directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study, depending on the country (see Page 8 for details).
• Academic Qualification: Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) – i.e. a first class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It must have been awarded in 2013 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years). Candidates from Senegal must hold a minimum of a Senegalese Masters 2 with 2-3 years relevant work experience. A Senegalese Masters 1 with significant relevant work experience may be considered.
• Master’s Level: Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher, or be due to start a programme at master’s level or higher in the academic year 2024/25. Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2025.
• Demonstrated Abilities: Show leadership abilities and aspirations, a commitment to achieving the SDGs within your own country, and a commitment to building positive relationships with Ireland.
• Programme Selection: Identify and select three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
• Proficiency: Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all chosen programmes.
• Previous Applications: Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than one previous occasion.
• Fellowship Coverage: The Fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support or visas for spouses or dependents are not included.

📝 Application Process:

The application process for the Ireland Fellows Programme consists of three stages:

1. Stage 1: Preliminary Application
2. Stage 2: Detailed Application
3. Stage 3: Interviews

Applications will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met. Applicants should carefully check that they meet the criteria before requesting application information.

Application Information:

Before applying, read the Applicant Guidance Note carefully, as eligibility criteria may differ from country to country.

• Stage 1: Fill out the preliminary application form.
• Stage 2: Submit a detailed application if shortlisted from Stage 1.
• Stage 3: Attend interviews if shortlisted from Stage 2.

All applicants must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and have selected appropriate programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.

For more detailed information and to access application documents, visit the official Ireland Fellows Programme website.

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