The Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2027 is now open for applications from eligible candidates across selected developing countries. The prestigious fellowship offers outstanding early to mid-career professionals the opportunity to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree at one of Ireland’s leading higher education institutions.
The programme is designed to develop future leaders by equipping them with advanced knowledge and professional skills that contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
Successful applicants will receive comprehensive financial support covering tuition fees, accommodation, monthly living expenses, flights, visa costs, and health insurance throughout the duration of the programme.
In this guide, you’ll find the eligibility requirements, benefits, application process, and deadline for the Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2027.
Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2027 Summary
| Scholarship Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Ireland |
| Study Destination | Europe |
| Study Level | Master’s Degree |
| Scholarship Type | Fellowship |
| Eligible Countries | Selected Developing Countries |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Benefits | Tuition Fees, Accommodation, Living Allowance, Flight Tickets, Visa Costs, Health Insurance |
| Application Deadline | July 26, 2026 |
About the Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2027
The Government of Ireland Fellows Programme is an initiative of the Irish Government aimed at strengthening leadership, promoting sustainable development, and building long-lasting partnerships between Ireland and participating countries.
The fellowship enables talented professionals with demonstrated leadership potential to undertake a world-class one-year Master’s programme in Ireland.
Participants are expected to return to their home countries after graduation and apply the knowledge and experience gained to contribute to national development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme also seeks to strengthen professional and institutional relationships between Ireland and partner countries across Africa and other eligible regions.
Government of Ireland Fellows Programme Benefits
Successful applicants will receive a fully funded scholarship covering:
- Full tuition fees
- Visa application costs
- Return flight tickets
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Accommodation
- Monthly living allowance
- Other approved programme-related expenses
Eligible Master’s programmes generally begin in August or September and last between 10 and 16 months, depending on the course.
Eligible Countries
Applications are invited from nationals residing in the following eligible countries:
- Angola
- Burundi (Archbishop Michael Courtney Fellowship)
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia (Seán McBride Fellowship)
- Nigeria (Roger Casement Fellowship)
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa (Kader Asmal Fellowship)
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia (including Frank Ferguson Fellowship in Engineering)
- Zimbabwe
Additional opportunities are available under the SIDS-Africa stream for eligible applicants.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2027, applicants must:
- Be a resident citizen of one of the eligible countries.
- Possess at least two or three years of relevant professional work experience, depending on the country of application.
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent First Class or Second Class Honours).
- Have obtained the Bachelor’s degree in 2013 or later.
- Not already possess a Master’s degree or higher qualification.
- Not currently be enrolled in a Master’s or doctoral programme.
- Be applying for a new Master’s programme in Ireland beginning in the 2026/27 academic session.
- Demonstrate:
- Strong leadership potential.
- Commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Willingness to contribute to development in their home country.
- Interest in building lasting professional relationships with Ireland.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed in three stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Application
Applicants submit an initial application for eligibility screening.
Stage 2: Detailed Application
Shortlisted candidates submit comprehensive application documents.
Stage 3: Interview
Finalists are invited for interviews.
Applicants progressing beyond Stage Two will be required to complete the Duolingo English Test.
Candidates recommended after the interview stage will also take an approved English language examination, usually IELTS, unless they already possess a valid IELTS result obtained in 2023 or later that satisfies their chosen university’s admission requirements.
Applicants are encouraged to begin IELTS preparation early.
How to Apply for the Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2027
Interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Visit the official Government of Ireland Fellows Programme application portal.
- Carefully read the Applicant Guidance Note for your country before beginning your application.
- Complete and submit the Preliminary Application before the deadline.
- If shortlisted, proceed with the Detailed Application stage.
- Participate in the interview and required English language assessments if invited.
- Await the final selection and admission outcome.
Application Deadline
Deadline: July 26, 2026
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.
