Applications are officially open for the Ireland Fellows Program 2026/27. This fully funded opportunity allows selected candidates from eligible countries to undertake a one-year Master’s degree at a reputable university or institute in Ireland. Aimed at emerging leaders and professionals dedicated to driving positive change in their home countries, the fellowship supports academic advancement and capacity building. Courses will begin in August or September 2026. After completing their studies, fellows are expected to return to their home countries and use their acquired expertise to contribute to national development. There is no application fee, and the fellowship is fully sponsored by the Government of Ireland. More information on eligible courses, participating Irish universities, financial support, and the application procedure is provided below.
International students can choose from a wide range of development-focused courses across fields such as public policy, environmental sustainability, gender studies, human rights, and more. The academic intake begins in August or September 2026, depending on the university and chosen program.
The fellowship covers all major expenses, including tuition fees, travel costs, accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly living allowance. Importantly, there is no application fee. One of the key requirements of the program is that fellows must return to their home countries after completing their studies to contribute to national development using the knowledge and skills gained in Ireland.
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Host Country: Ireland
Host University: Best Universities of Ireland
Financial Assistance: Fully Funded
Degree: Masters Degree
Scholarship Value/ Inclusions
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– Covers the full tuition fees for the Master’s degree program.
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– It provides round-trip international airfare to and from Ireland.
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– Accommodation expenses are fully funded throughout the duration of the program.
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– Living costs are covered to ensure a comfortable stay in Ireland.
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– A monthly stipend is provided to support personal and daily expenses.
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– All application fees are waived for selected candidates.
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Eligible Areas of Study
The Ireland Fellows Program offers a wide range of eligible fields for study, focusing on areas that contribute to sustainable development. These include disciplines such as Health, Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Business, Human Rights, and Computer Science, among others. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official Directory of Eligible Programs and Universities to find specific courses aligned with their career goals.
Participating Irish Universities and Institutions
Selected fellows can pursue their studies at one of Ireland’s leading higher education institutions. The following universities and colleges are part of the program:
- University of Limerick
- Maynooth University
- Technological University Dublin
- University College Dublin
- Griffith College
- Trinity College Dublin
- National College of Ireland
- South East Technological University
- Dublin Business School
- Mary Immaculate College
- Munster Technological University
- Technological University of the Shannon
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Dublin City University
- Atlantic Technological University
- Independent College
- University College Cork
- University of Galway
- National College of Art and Design
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should not already possess a Master’s degree or higher qualification.
- They must fulfill the required English language proficiency standards (such as a valid IELTS score).
Eligible Countries by Region
The program is open to candidates from various regions through the following fellowship streams:
- Asia: Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
- African Region
- Countries across Africa that are eligible include Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Angola, Somalia, Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Djibouti, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Senegal.
- Latin American Region
- Participants from Latin America may come from nations such as Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Argentina, El Salvador, Belize, Venezuela, Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Honduras.
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Eligible SIDS include: Fiji, Tuvalu, Dominica, Maldives, Grenada, Kiribati, Seychelles, Palau, Marshall Islands, Bahamas, Samoa, Suriname, Vanuatu, Saint Lucia, Nauru, Barbados, Guyana, Cuba, Papua New Guinea, Cabo Verde, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Comoros, Niue, Jamaica, São Tomé and Príncipe, Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Solomon Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Timor-Leste, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
- South Africa: Applicants from South Africa may apply through the Kader Asmal Fellowship.
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:
- – A recent passport-sized photograph.
- – Certified copy of their graduation certificate.
- – Official academic transcripts.
- – Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
- – A copy of the passport’s identity page.
- – Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS score report).
- – An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Make sure all documents are accurate and complete before submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.
How to Apply?
Applicants are strongly advised not to apply directly to any Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) unless they are explicitly instructed to do so by the Ireland Fellows Programme. All interested candidates must follow the specific application process outlined by the program.
Before beginning your application, carefully review the Applicant Guidance Note, which provides step-by-step instructions, eligibility criteria, and important details about the selection process.
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official Ireland Fellows Programme website. Please refer to the official links provided below to access the application portal and related resources. Submissions made outside the designated process or through university portals may not be accepted.
Deadline
The deadline for the initial application is July 25, 2025, while the Stage 2 application must be submitted by October 17, 2025.
