Ireland's fellows programme

The Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme is a fully-funded scholarship opportunity open to students and professionals in Tanzania to study at Master’s level in Ireland’s world-renowned Higher Education Institutions. During their time in Ireland, Fellows benefit from extensive academic and professional development, as well as having the opportunity to development experience Irish culture and build lasting positive relationships with Ireland.

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, and A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development.

The Ireland-Africa Fellowship Programme broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals. For 2027-28 and in line with our Mission Strategy, the Embassy will target the following themes:

1. Gender Equality and Human Rights
2. Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action
3. Health and Nutrition
4. Management, Technology and Innovation

We encourage interested applicants who meet all the eligibility criteria below to apply.

In order to be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme - Africa award from Tanzania, commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of Tanzania and be residing in Tanzania.
• Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.7 (5.0 scale) – i.e. a first-class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It must have been awarded in 2015 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
• Have a minimum of two- or three-years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
• Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher or be due to start a programme at master’s level or higher in the academic year 2027/2028.
• Be able to demonstrate leadership abilities and aspirations, as well as commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within Tanzania.
• Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Irish Aid Directory of Eligible Programmes. Applications will only be considered for courses relevant to the applicant's experience.
• Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
• Must not have applied for an Ireland Fellowship on more than one previous occasion.
• Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2027/2028.

The application process consists of three stages:

• Stage 1 Preliminary Application (expression of interest)
• Stage 2 Detailed Application
• Stage 3 Interview

Full guidance on the application process, including Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam contact details, and eligibility are found in the Applicant Guidance Note Please read the Guidance Note carefully before applying.

How to apply

All applicants who are selected to progress after the first stage will be required to sit an online Duolingo English Test, unless they are already in possession of an IELTS certificate that is dated 2024 or later which shows the applicant has achieved the necessary score for the course(s) they intend to apply to. Early preparation for the Duolingo English Test is strongly advised, even for native English speakers.

To apply for an Ireland Fellows Programme - Africa, you must complete the application form and send to the Embassy by email (TanzaniaFellowships@dfa.ie), including supporting documents as outlined in the above Applicant Guidance Note

For any queries related to the application process, please use the above cited e-mail address.

Application forms and further details are available here on the program website.

Candidates should pay careful attention to the eligibility criteria laid out in the Applicant Guidance Note

The closing date for Stage 1 applications is strictly Sunday 26 July 2026.

Applications are by invitation only. This means that fellowships in Burundi are restricted to the staff of government departments and NGOs which work in partnership with Irish Aid, and to personnel of organisations that are aligned with Irish Aid's development strategy in their country which have already been identified by the Embassy of Ireland.

Applications from outside these partnerships will not be eligible. To find out if you are eligible to apply, please contact the Embassy of Ireland, Tanzania at TanzaniaFellowships@dfa.ie or your employer.

Please visit Courtney Fellowship and Ireland Fellows Programme - Africa for more information.

The closing date for Stage 1 applications is strictly Sunday 26 July 2026.

Please visit Ireland - SIDS Fellows Programme for more information.

The closing date for Stage 1 applications is strictly Sunday 26 July 2026.

Applications are by invitation only. This means that fellowships in DRC are restricted to the staff of government departments and NGOs which work in partnership with Irish Aid, and to personnel of organisations that are aligned with Irish Aid's development strategy in their country which have already been identified by the Embassy of Ireland.

Applications from outside these partnerships will not be eligible. To find out if you are eligible to apply, please contact the Embassy of Ireland, Tanzania at TanzaniaFellowships@dfa.ie or your employer.

Please visit Ireland Fellows Programme - Africa for more information.

The closing date for Stage 1 applications is strictly Sunday 26 July 2026.

• Ireland Africa Fellowships Programme
• Education in Ireland