Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2026 | Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships
The Government of Ireland Fellows Programme 2026 is now open for applications, offering fully funded master’s-level scholarships to professionals from eligible developing countries. This prestigious opportunity is designed for early to mid-career professionals with leadership potential, aiming to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs) in their home countries through high-quality education in Ireland.
Study in Ireland with Full Financial Support
The Ireland Fellows Programme provides recipients with the chance to pursue a one-year master’s degree at a top-tier Irish higher education institution (HEI). The scholarship covers all essential expenses including:
- Full tuition fees
- Round-trip airfare
- Accommodation
- Monthly living allowance
Programmes typically begin in August or September 2026 and last between 10 to 16 months, depending on the course and institution.
Objective of the Ireland Fellows Programme
This fellowship initiative is funded by the Irish Government to:
- Develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDGs
- Empower future change-makers and leaders
- Strengthen long-term professional partnerships between Ireland and participating countries
Scholars are expected to return home after completing their studies to apply the skills and knowledge acquired to national development efforts, while also fostering positive relationships with Ireland.
Eligible Countries
The 2026 programme is open to nationals of specific African countries, including but not limited to:
- Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Angola, Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan
- South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Djibouti, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Ireland Fellows Programme, applicants must:
- Be a resident national of one of the eligible countries
- Have 2–3 years of relevant professional experience
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (minimum GPA 3.0) awarded from 2013 onward
- Not hold a master’s degree or higher
- Be committed to SDGs and development in their country
- Exhibit strong leadership qualities and willingness to build relations with Ireland
- Be ready to begin studies in August 2026
Application Process – Step by Step
The application involves a three-stage process:
- Stage 1 – Preliminary Application
- Stage 2 – Detailed Application (for shortlisted candidates)
- Stage 3 – Interviews and English language proficiency tests
Note: All shortlisted candidates will need to sit for the Duolingo English Test. Final applicants may also be required to submit valid IELTS scores unless they already hold a certificate dated 2022 or later.
Pro Tip: Early preparation for IELTS is strongly advised—even for native English speakers.
Download the Applicant Guidance Note here »
Application Deadline
The exact deadline has not yet been specified, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible and subscribe for alerts to stay updated.
