Ireland Fellows Programme 2027/28: The Complete Guide to Ireland’s Fully Funded Government Scholarship for Africa, Asia, Latin America, Palestine, and Small Island Developing States

The Government of Ireland has officially opened applications for the Ireland Fellows Programme 2027/28 — one of the most prestigious, fully funded, and globally reaching scholarship programmes offered by any government in the world. Administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland and delivered in partnership with Irish higher education institutions, the Ireland Fellows Programme provides exceptional professionals from developing countries and Small Island Developing States across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific with the opportunity to pursue fully funded master’s degree programmes at leading universities in Ireland.

Applications for the 2027/28 academic year are open from Monday, 29 June to Sunday, 26 July 2026. This is a narrow and firm application window, and prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare their applications well in advance.

This comprehensive guide brings together all available information across every strand of the Ireland Fellows Programme — Africa, Asia, Latin America, SIDS, and Palestine — in one place, providing everything eligible candidates need to know about the programme’s aims, funding, eligibility criteria, application process, and what to expect at each stage.

What Is the Ireland Fellows Programme?

The Ireland Fellows Programme is the Government of Ireland’s flagship international scholarship initiative, funded through Irish Aid, Ireland’s official overseas development assistance programme. It is designed to support emerging leaders from developing countries and Small Island Developing States by providing access to world-class postgraduate education in Ireland.

The programme has three overarching aims:

1. To nurture future leaders in eligible countries by equipping them with advanced academic knowledge and professional skills
2. To develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to long-term development outcomes in the recipients’ home countries
3. To build positive, lasting relationships between Ireland and partner countries and regions across the globe

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded, meaning that selected candidates receive comprehensive financial support for the entirety of their studies in Ireland. It is one of the few government scholarships in the world that covers not only tuition fees but also living costs, travel, accommodation, insurance, and visa fees.

What Does the Ireland Fellows Programme Cover?

The Ireland Fellows Programme award is fully funded. For most strands, the award includes:

• Full payment of academic tuition fees at an Irish higher education institution
• Economy-class return flights from the recipient’s country of residence to Ireland
• Visa application fees
• Medical and travel insurance for the duration of the programme
• The Irish residence permit fee
• A monthly living stipend (for the Palestine strand, this is 700 euros per month, subject to review)
• A settling-in allowance to cover items needed upon arrival in Ireland
• A completion and departure allowance at the end of the study period
• Student accommodation arranged and paid for during Trimesters 1 and 2 (typically September to May); and for Trimester 3, a monthly accommodation stipend of between 800 and 1,000 euros depending on location in Ireland (Palestine strand figures, subject to review)

It is important to note that the fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support and visa assistance for spouses or dependents are not included within the scope of the programme under any strand.

The Strands of the Ireland Fellows Programme

The Ireland Fellows Programme is organized into several distinct geographic strands, each with its own eligible countries, specific named awards, and in some cases unique eligibility conditions. Below is a complete breakdown of every strand.

Strand 1: Ireland Fellows Programme — Africa

The Africa strand is the largest and most geographically diverse strand of the Ireland Fellows Programme, covering 24 countries across the continent.

Eligible Countries (Africa Strand)

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.

Named Fellowships Within the Africa Strand

Several countries within the Africa strand have dedicated, named fellowship awards with specific additional guidance:

• Kader Asmal Fellowship — South Africa
• Roger Casement Fellowship — Nigeria
• Sean Mac Bride Fellowship — Namibia
• Archbishop Michael Courtney Fellowship — Burundi
• Frank Ferguson Fellowship in Engineering — Zambia
• SIDS-Africa Fellowship — Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe (see SIDS strand below)

Candidates from Burundi, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia are advised to review both the general Africa strand guidance and the specific named fellowship page for their country before applying.

Eligible Courses (Africa Strand)

Programmes span a wide range of subject areas including agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business, and more. All eligible programmes are listed in the Directory of Eligible Programmes published by the Ireland Fellows Programme.

Eligibility Requirements (Africa Strand)

To be eligible for the Africa strand commencing in the academic year 2027, applicants must:

1. Be a resident national of one of the eligible African countries listed above
2. Have a minimum of two or three years of substantial work experience directly relevant to the proposed programme of study (the exact requirement varies by country — applicants should refer to page 8 of the guidance note for country-specific details)
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, government-recognized higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, awarded in 2015 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years). A second-class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial and directly relevant work experience
4. Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher, and not be currently undertaking or due to start a master’s programme in the 2026/27 academic year (note: candidates from Senegal and Liberia should contact their respective Irish Embassy about this criterion)
5. Be applying to commence a new master’s level programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2027
6. Demonstrate leadership abilities and aspirations, a commitment to achieving the SDGs within their country, and a commitment to building positive relationships with Ireland
7. Have identified and selected three programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes that are relevant to their academic and professional background
8. Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language requirements for all chosen programmes
9. Not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than once previously
10. Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the 2027/28 academic year

Important Note: Invitation-Only Countries (Africa Strand)

In the following countries, applications are by invitation only: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Eritrea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Zambia. In these countries, fellowships are restricted to staff of government departments and NGOs working in partnership with Irish Aid, and to personnel of organizations aligned with Irish Aid’s development strategy that have already been identified by the Embassy of Ireland. Applications from outside these established partnerships will not be eligible. Prospective applicants from these countries should contact the relevant Embassy of Ireland or their employer to determine whether they are eligible.

Learn More Here

Strand 2: Ireland Fellows Programme — Asia

The Asia strand covers three countries in Southeast Asia and provides opportunities for professionals from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR to pursue master’s level education in Ireland.

Eligible Countries (Asia Strand)

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR.

Eligibility Requirements (Asia Strand)

To be eligible for the Asia strand commencing in the academic year 2027, applicants must:

1. Be a resident national of Vietnam, Cambodia, or Lao PDR
2. Have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience (Vietnam) or three years of relevant work experience (Cambodia and Lao PDR), directly relevant to the proposed programme of study
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, government-recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, awarded in 2015 or later
4. Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher, and not be enrolled in or starting a master’s programme in 2026/27
5. Be applying to commence a new master’s level programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2027
6. Demonstrate leadership abilities, SDG commitment, and commitment to building positive relationships with Ireland
7. Have identified and selected three programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes
8. Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language requirements for all chosen programmes
9. Not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than once previously
10. Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in 2027/28

Learn More Here

Strand 3: Ireland Fellows Programme — Latin America

The Latin America strand covers countries across Central and South America and is organized into three named awards, each focused on a different thematic area.

Eligible Countries and Named Awards (Latin America Strand)

• Central America Award: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
• Roger Casement Award in Human Rights: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
• Cecilia Grierson Award in Equality: Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay

Note: Belize is classified as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) but candidates from Belize must apply via the Central America Award and may not apply via the SIDS Fellowship strand.

Eligibility Requirements (Latin America Strand)

To be eligible for the Latin America strand commencing in the academic year 2027, applicants must:

1. Be a resident national of one of the eligible Latin American countries listed above
2. Have a minimum of three years of substantial work experience directly relevant to the proposed programme of study
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, government-recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, awarded in 2015 or later
4. Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher, and not be enrolled in or due to start a master’s programme in 2026/27
5. Be applying to commence a new master’s level programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2027
6. Demonstrate leadership abilities, SDG commitment, and commitment to building positive relationships with Ireland
7. Have identified and selected three programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes
8. Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language requirements for all chosen programmes
9. Not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than once previously
10. Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in 2027/28

Learn More Here

Strand 4: Ireland Fellows Programme — Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

The SIDS strand of the Ireland Fellows Programme is dedicated to nationals and residents of Small Island Developing States across four geographic regions: Africa and the Indian Ocean, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

Eligible Countries by Region (SIDS Strand)

• Africa, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea: Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles
• Asia: Maldives, Timor-Leste
• Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
• Pacific: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

An important note on residency: applicants must be a national of one of the eligible SIDS countries and also be resident in one of the eligible SIDS countries. They may be a national of one country and resident in another, provided both are within the same region as defined by the programme.

Eligibility Requirements (SIDS Strand)

To be eligible for the SIDS strand commencing in the academic year 2027, applicants must:

1. Be a national of an eligible SIDS country and resident in an eligible SIDS country (within the same region)
2. Have a minimum of three years of substantial work experience directly relevant to the proposed programme of study
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, government-recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, awarded in 2015 or later
4. Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher, and not be enrolled in or due to start a master’s programme in 2026/27
5. Be applying to commence a new master’s level programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2027
6. Demonstrate leadership abilities, SDG commitment, and commitment to building positive relationships with Ireland
7. Have identified and selected three programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes
8. Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language requirements for all chosen programmes
9. Not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than once previously
10. Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in 2027/28

Learn More Here

Strand 5: Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme (IPSP)

The Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme is a distinct and separately administered strand of the broader Ireland Fellows global scholarship programme, run by the Representative Office of Ireland in Ramallah in partnership with Amideast. It is specifically for Palestinians resident in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Please note: applications for the 2026/2027 academic year under the IPSP are now closed. The programme typically opens annually in September. The information below reflects the most recently published programme details.

What the IPSP Covers

The IPSP offers 30 full scholarships for one-year master’s level programmes at 19 higher education institutions across Ireland. The award is fully funded and includes:

• Full academic tuition fees
• Visa application fees
• Medical and travel insurance
• Economy-class return flights to and from Ireland
• Irish residence permit fee
• A monthly living stipend of 700 euros (subject to review)
• A settling-in allowance upon arrival in Ireland
• A completion and departure allowance at the end of the study period
• Student accommodation arranged and paid for during Trimesters 1 and 2 (typically September to May)
• A monthly accommodation stipend of 800 to 1,000 euros during Trimester 3, depending on location in Ireland (subject to review)

Eligibility Requirements (IPSP)

To be eligible for the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme, candidates must:

1. Be a Palestinian currently resident in the occupied Palestinian territory, holding a Palestinian or Jerusalem ID
2. Have identified and selected three relevant courses from the Directory of Eligible Postgraduate Courses
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 80 percent or 3.0 (or equivalent standard)
4. Have achieved the necessary academic standard to be accepted onto a master’s degree course at a higher education institution in Ireland
5. Be applying to commence a new qualification — not seeking funding for a course already commenced or beginning before scholarship awards are notified
6. Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher
7. Be able to take up the scholarship in the relevant academic year
8. Submit a valid English language proficiency score report dated September 2024 or later, with a minimum score of:
   • 6.5 on IELTS, or
   • 550 on the Institutional Testing Program (ITP), or
   • 80 on Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), or
   • 120 overall on Duolingo (with at least 105 in each sub-score)

Importantly, prior professional working experience is not required for the IPSP. The programme is also committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants, irrespective of sex, religious beliefs, race and ethnicity, age, disability status, gender identity and expression, geographic location, income, socio-economic status, or any other dimension of diversity.

Learn More Here

The Application Process: All Strands (Africa, Asia, Latin America, SIDS)

For all strands except Palestine (which has its own separate process), the application process for the Ireland Fellows Programme consists of three stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Application

The initial stage requires applicants to complete and submit an online preliminary application. This stage is used to screen candidates for basic eligibility and to identify the most promising applicants for progression to the detailed application stage.

Stage 2: Detailed Application

Shortlisted candidates from Stage 1 will be invited to submit a more comprehensive detailed application, providing additional information about their background, professional experience, leadership record, SDG commitment, and specific programme choices.

Stage 3: Interviews

Candidates who progress through Stage 2 will be invited to participate in an interview as the final selection step. Successful candidates will be notified following the conclusion of the interview process.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2027/28 academic year are open from Monday, 29 June 2026 to Sunday, 26 July 2026. This is a strict and firm deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to gather all required documents and begin preparing their applications immediately.

English Language Requirements

All Irish higher education institutions require a high standard of English language proficiency, and this requirement is non-negotiable with no exceptions for any applicant to any institution.

• For all strands, English language proficiency will be verified through testing
• English language certification is also required for Irish visa applications
• Shortlisted applicants who do not yet hold the required English language certification for their chosen master’s programmes will be required to take the Duolingo English Test, which is accepted by most Irish higher education institutions
• If shortlisted or selected as a reserve candidate, and the chosen course or institution does not accept Duolingo, the applicant will be required to take an IELTS exam in January 2027

For the Palestine strand specifically, applicants must already submit a valid English language proficiency score with their initial application — with a minimum score of 6.5 on IELTS, 550 on ITP, 80 on iBT TOEFL, or 120 on Duolingo (with at least 105 in each sub-score). This score must be dated September 2024 or later.

Choosing Your Programmes: The Directory of Eligible Programmes

All applicants must select three postgraduate programmes from the official Directory of Eligible Programmes published by the Ireland Fellows Programme. Eligible subject areas span a wide range of fields including:

• Agriculture and food science
• Health and medicine-related fields
• Education and teacher training
• Human rights and law
• Computer science and information technology
• Engineering and technology
• Business and management
• Environmental science and sustainability
• And many more

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they understand the specific academic and English language entry requirements for each of the three programmes they select, as these requirements vary by institution and course. Selecting programmes that align closely with an applicant’s academic background, professional experience, and development goals will strengthen the overall application considerably.

Key Tips for a Strong Application

While the Ireland Fellows Programme does not publish a formal scoring rubric, the following principles — derived from the stated aims and eligibility criteria of the programme — are essential for building a competitive application:

• Ensure that all eligibility criteria are met in full before beginning the application
• Select three programmes from the Directory that genuinely align with your professional background and career aspirations
• Demonstrate clear, specific, and evidence-based leadership experience — not just leadership potential
• Articulate a concrete and credible plan for how the master’s degree will contribute to SDG achievement in your home country
• Show a genuine understanding of and commitment to building positive Ireland-country relationships
• Prepare your English language documentation well in advance
• Apply through the correct strand and the correct Embassy, especially for countries with named fellowships or invitation-only processes
• Contact the relevant Embassy of Ireland early if you have any questions about your eligibility

For more information and to apply, visit HERE

Conclusion

The Ireland Fellows Programme 2027/28 is one of the most comprehensive, fully funded, and globally inclusive government scholarship programmes available to professionals from developing countries and Small Island Developing States. Spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Palestine, the programme offers emerging leaders an extraordinary opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at a world-class Irish university — with all costs covered, from flights and tuition to living expenses and insurance.

With applications open only from 29 June to 26 July 2026, the window to apply is critically short. For professionals across the 70-plus eligible countries who meet the eligibility criteria — holding a relevant bachelor’s degree, possessing the required work experience, demonstrating leadership and SDG commitment, and not yet holding a master’s qualification — this programme represents a once-in-a-career opportunity to access international education, build a global network, and return home equipped to drive meaningful development in their communities and countries.

Review the Directory of Eligible Programmes, contact your nearest Embassy of Ireland to confirm your eligibility and strand, gather your documents, and submit your application before the deadline of 26 July 2026. The Ireland Fellows Programme has transformed the careers and communities of hundreds of professionals around the world — and the 2027/28 cohort could include you.

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