Deadline: 25 July 2025, 5:00 PM GMT
The Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa, managed in partnership with the Canon Collins Trust, provides early to mid-career professionals from eligible African countries with the opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in Ireland. This prestigious initiative, funded entirely by the Irish Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), aims to nurture future leaders and strengthen in-country capacity through world-class education and leadership development.
Overview
The programme enables qualified individuals to undertake a one-year master’s degree at a recognized Irish higher education institution (HEI). Eligible courses, commencing in August or September 2026, span between 10 and 16 months and are aligned with critical sectors such as agriculture, health, education, human rights, engineering, business, computer science, and others. All eligible programmes are listed in the official Directory of Eligible Programmes.
The overarching aim of the Ireland Fellows Programme is threefold:
- To cultivate leadership potential among participants.
- To contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their home countries.
- To strengthen bilateral relationships and institutional partnerships with Ireland.
This initiative also emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds and promoting gender equality and equal opportunity.
What the Fellowship Covers
Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive scholarship package that includes:
- Tuition and university application fees.
- Examination and other academic fees.
- Economy-class travel to and from Ireland.
- Settling-in, book, and study allowances.
- Full accommodation.
- A monthly personal living stipend.
- Student visa application costs.
Please note that the fellowship covers expenses for the awardee only. It does not include financial or visa support for dependents or spouses.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2025/26 academic year intake, applicants must:
- Be a resident national of one of the following countries: 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, or Zimbabwe.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) awarded in 2012 or later.
- Possess a minimum of two to three years of substantial work experience relevant to their chosen field of study.
- Not already hold or be currently pursuing a master’s or higher-level degree.
- Demonstrate leadership qualities, a commitment to the SDGs, and a desire to contribute to positive Ireland-country relations.
- Select three relevant programmes from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- Understand the academic and language requirements for each chosen programme.
- Not have previously applied to the programme more than once.
- Be available to begin studies in Ireland in August or September 2026.
In addition, in select countries—including Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Eritrea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia—applications are by invitation only. This restriction applies to employees of government departments and NGOs aligned with Irish Aid’s development strategy. Interested individuals must confirm their eligibility through their employer or by contacting the relevant Embassy of Ireland.
How to Apply
The application process consists of multiple stages. Stage 1 applications must be submitted online via the official portal. Only applicants who successfully pass this stage will be contacted by the Canon Collins Trust with the outcome. Applicants are advised not to contact the Irish Embassy directly during the selection period.
Before submitting an application, candidates must carefully review the full eligibility guidelines and ensure they meet all academic and professional requirements. For further details visit the official Canon Collins Trust webpage.
Deadline
The closing date for applications is 25 July 2025 at 5:00 PM GMT. Early submission is strongly encouraged to avoid technical issues or last-minute complications.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
