The Ireland Fellows Programme 2024/25 is now open for applications. Candidates from eligible African countries and regions are invited to send in their applications. The Africa Scholarship is available to candidates from Lesotho and Zimbabwe who will be commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2024/25.
Early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, with leadership potential are given the chance to benefit from a prestigious, qualitative, and world-class education through the Ireland Fellows Programme and after that will contribute to capacity building. Selected students are offered the opportunity to undertake one-year master’s level study at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland with a fully funded scholarship package.
The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, and equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity. Our Development Policy is aligned with SDG 16 on building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, and we are encouraging applications from the broadest possible base.
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): Canon Collins Trust
- Host Institution(s): higher education institution in Ireland
- Scholarship Worth: Full Funding (Amount varies)
- Number of Awards: Not Specified
- Study Level: Postgraduate (Masters)
- Nationality: Africans
The Programme welcomes applications from applicants with disabilities, and applicants who belong to a minority or disadvantaged group. The Ireland Fellows Programme would like to increase the representation of female applicants and those whose gender identity does not align with the male/female gender binary.
Ireland Fellows Programme Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2024, applicants must:
- Have a minimum of two or three years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study, depending on the country (see Page 8 for details).
- Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognized 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 2012 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
- 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 2023/24.
- Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2024.
- Be able to demonstrate the following: leadership abilities and aspirations; a commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country; and a commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
- Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
- Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
- Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2024/2025.
Ireland Fellows 2024/2025 Programme Eligible Countries:
- Angola
- Burundi
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Fellowship Benefits
The award covers:
- University application fees
- Tuition fees
- Examination and other fees
- Economy travel to and from your country of residence to Ireland;
settling in allowance, book allowance, and study allowance - Accommodation
- A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover other living expenses for you only and
the costs of an entry clearance (student visitor visa) application
Ireland Fellows Application Procedures
How to Apply: Interested and eligible candidates for the Ireland Fellows Programme African Scholarship 2023/24 should click here or click the ‘Apply Now’ button on the official site to begin their application.
Applications will not be considered for this fellowship unless all eligibility criteria are met. You should carefully check that you can meet the above criteria before requesting application information.
Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa Application Deadline
Applications for the academic year 2024-25 are now open. The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is 30 July 2023. Application documents are available under the application Information
