Ireland Fellows Programme Overview
Providing early career professionals, with leadership potential, opportunities to undertake a Master's course in an Irish higher education institution.
My experience with the IAFP has been incredible, filled with enjoyable moments and substantial personal growth, both academically and socially.
What is the Ireland Fellows Programme?
The Irish Government offers a number of fellowship programmes to students from developing countries to undertake full-time study at Master's level at an Irish higher level institution.
The programme focuses on courses that build capacity to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals in the Fellow’s home country.
Aims and values of the Ireland Fellows Programme
A focus on education has been at the core of Irish government policy since the foundation of the State in 1922. Ireland has a longstanding international reputation for high-quality education, built on a solid foundation of commitment to excellence.
Ireland’s higher education system is in the top-twenty worldwide, offering globally recognised expertise, and at 65%, Ireland has one of the highest educational participation rates at third level in the world. Studying at postgraduate level in Ireland offers a unique opportunity to join programmes that are driving innovation and changing lives worldwide.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, 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. The programme welcomes applications from applicants with disabilities, and applicants who belong to a minority or disadvantaged group. We would like to increase the representation of female applicants and those whose gender identity does not align with the male/female gender binary.
The aims of the programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals; and to build positive relationships with Ireland.
The programme is intended to support graduates on their return home, through the skills they develop, to contribute to capacity building in their home countries and to become one of the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. It is also envisaged that they will contribute to building enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages.
Why was the Ireland Fellows Programme created?
The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The programme aligns with the Irish Government’s commitments under Global Ireland and the national implementation plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, and Global Citizens 2030 Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy. It also aligns with Ireland’s regional partnership strategies:
- Global-Ireland---Irelands-Strategy-for-Africa-to-2025
- Global Ireland Renewing our commitment to delivering in the Asia-Pacific-region to 2025
- Ireland’s Second Strategy-for-Partnership-with-Small-Island-Developing-States
- Global Ireland Ireland’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025
- Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for the Middle East & North Africa.
The programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries.
Programme implementation in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).
What does an Ireland Fellowship offer?
The Ireland Fellows Programme enables early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building.
The fellowship offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs. Eligible master’s level programmes in Ireland commence in August or September each year and, depending on the programme, will run for between 10 and 16 months.
Furthermore, the fellowship offers a fully supported calendar of orientations, social and networking events, support, as well as a whole suite of specifically designed trainings to ensure capacity building in areas such as leadership, conflict management, project management and more.
The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, 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. The programme welcomes applications from applicants with disabilities, and applicants who belong to a minority or disadvantaged group. We would like to increase the representation of female applicants and those whose gender identity does not align with the male/female gender binary.
Eligibility for the programme
A range of different strands are available under the programme. Each strand has a different focus, such as eligible countries and subject areas. Read carefully to check which programme you are eligible for. All eligibility criteria must be met for applications to be considered.
Some fellowships are by invitation only and you need to check what applies for your country. In such cases, embassies will invite applications from staff in designated partner organisations. Only applications from these will be considered. Unsolicited applications will not be considered. In other countries, applications submitted under an open call will be considered.
The programme is fully funded by the Irish Government. It is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries. Implementation of the Fellows Programme in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).
Language requirements
Irish higher education institutions require applicants to have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam certificate (or equivalent). Early preparation for the IELTS exam is strongly advised, even for native English speakers.
My favourite part of the fellowship so far is the opportunity to study at a top-notch institution of higher learning, expand my knowledge of my field of interest, and meet many great new people.
How do I apply?
You may only apply if you meet all of the criteria relevant to your country.
>> Detailed guidance notes and application forms
The application process consists of three stages:
- Stage 1 - preliminary application (approximately June/July annually)
- Stage 2 - detailed application (approximately mid-September to mid- October annually):
- Only if your Stage 1 application is successful, you will be invited by the Embassy to move on to Stage 2 of the process, and complete a more detailed application form including the submission of originals of all required documents.
- Stage 3 –Interviews (approximately November/December annually)
Applications for the 2027/28 academic year are now closed.
Contact information
For enquiries related to applicants ( eligibility / application / partner enquires) for Ireland Fellowship Programme, please contact the relevant Embassy of Ireland.
General fellowship enquiries
For general inquiries about Ireland's Fellowship Programme, course submissions and website feedback, please contact the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).