The Ireland Fellows Programme is a fully funded scholarship from the Government of Ireland, run by Irish Aid within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It brings early- and mid-career professionals from partner developing countries to Ireland for one academic year to complete a taught master’s degree at an Irish higher education institution. More than 4,000 people from over 50 countries have taken part across five decades.
The programme aims to nurture future leaders, build in-country capacity toward the Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthen ties with Ireland. Eligible fields are wide — agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business and more — chosen from an official Directory of Eligible Programmes.
Benefits & funding
- Full tuition fees at an Irish higher education institution for a one-year master’s.
- Return economy air travel between the fellow’s home country and Ireland.
- Accommodation and a monthly living allowance for the duration of study.
- Medical insurance, visa and residence-permit costs, plus settling-in and departure allowances.
- Covers the recipient only; no funding or visas for spouses or dependents.
Eligibility
- Resident national of an eligible country. Strands cover parts of Africa, Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), Latin America, Palestine, and Small Island Developing States across the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa and Asia.
- Minimum of two to three years’ relevant work experience, depending on country.
- A bachelor’s degree (GPA 3.0/4.0 or first/second-class honours) awarded in 2015 or later.
- Not already holding, currently studying, or about to start a master’s-level or higher qualification.
- Demonstrated leadership, commitment to the SDGs, and to building positive relationships with Ireland.
- In several countries applications are by invitation only, limited to Irish Aid partner organisations.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Angola · Burundi · DR Congo · Djibouti · Eritrea · Eswatini · Ethiopia · Ghana · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Malawi
+ 68 more
Mozambique · Nigeria · Rwanda · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Sudan · Sudan · Tanzania · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe · Namibia · South Africa · Vietnam · Cambodia · Laos · Palestine · Belize · Costa Rica · El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Brazil · Colombia · Ecuador · Peru · Venezuela · Argentina · Bolivia · Paraguay · Cabo Verde · Comoros · Guinea-Bissau · Mauritius · São Tomé and Príncipe · Seychelles · Maldives · Timor-Leste · Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Grenada · Guyana · Haiti · Jamaica · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago · Cook Islands · Fiji · Kiribati · Marshall Islands · Micronesia · Nauru · Niue · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Samoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu
Education required
Bachelor
Experience required
≥ 2 yrs
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Application process
- 1Select three eligible master’s programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- 2Submit a preliminary application within the open window (29 June – 26 July 2026 for the 2027/28 intake).
- 3Complete a detailed application if shortlisted.
- 4Sit an English-language test (Duolingo English Test, or IELTS in January 2027) if you lack certification.
- 5Attend an interview; final selection follows.
Program timeline
Applications open
29 June 2026
Application deadline
26 July 2026
IELTS testing for shortlisted candidates where required
January 2027
Master’s study begins in Ireland
August / September 2027