Fully Funded Ireland Fellows Programme for African Countries – Master’s Studies in Ireland (2026/2027)
Overview
The Ireland Fellows Programme, Africa, offers fully funded master’s scholarships to early and mid-career professionals from selected African countries. This prestigious fellowship supports participants in acquiring a world-class education in Ireland, fostering leadership and capacity development for sustainable development in their home countries.
Funded by the Irish Government and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the programme covers tuition, travel, accommodation, living costs, and health insurance for a 1-year full-time master’s degree at a recognized Irish higher education institution.
Scholarship Categories
This fellowship supports academic programs in a wide range of areas, including:
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Agriculture
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Health
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Education
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Human rights
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Engineering
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Computer science
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Business
(Full list available in the Directory of Eligible Programmes)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Be a resident national of one of the eligible countries:
Angola, Burundi, DRC, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
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Have at least 2–3 years of relevant work experience.
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Hold a bachelor’s degree (min. 2.1 or 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale) obtained from 2014 onwards.
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Not currently hold or be pursuing a master’s degree or higher.
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Show clear leadership qualities and a commitment to SDGs and Ireland-Africa relations.
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Have selected three eligible master’s programmes aligned with your background and goals.
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Understand and meet the English language requirements of their selected programmes.
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Be available to begin the programme in August or September 2026.
In some countries (e.g. Kenya, Liberia, Uganda), applications are by invitation only and restricted to those in partnership with Irish Aid. Please confirm eligibility through your country’s Embassy of Ireland.
Documents Required
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Preliminary application form
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Academic transcripts and certificates
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Proof of work experience
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Motivation and leadership statements
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Selection of 3 eligible master’s programmes
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English proficiency (if required by chosen course)
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Passport or ID copy
Important Notes
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The fellowship does not cover dependents or spouses.
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Only one application attempt is allowed per person.
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Final selection involves three stages:
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Preliminary Application
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Detailed Application
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Interview
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Selection Process
Candidates are selected based on:
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Academic excellence and work experience
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Relevance of chosen courses to the home country’s needs
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Demonstrated leadership potential and SDG focus
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Motivation to build institutional and people-to-people links with Ireland
Application Deadline
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Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open.
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Submission deadlines vary by country; check with your local Irish embassy or visit the official portal.
Apply Now: Visit the Ireland Fellows Programme Africa page
