DUBLIN, Ireland — The Ireland Fellows Programme 2027–28 is set to officially open for applications on 29 June 2026, offering outstanding international professionals the opportunity to pursue fully funded master’s degrees at leading higher education institutions in Ireland.
Sponsored by the Irish Government through Irish Aid, the programme is designed to support future leaders who can contribute to the sustainable development and growth of their home countries. Since its establishment in 1974, the programme has transformed over 4,000 lives, making invaluable contributions to capacity development worldwide.
Beyond academic study, the fellowship provides leadership development opportunities, professional networking, and international exposure, making it one of Ireland’s most prestigious scholarship programmes for emerging professionals. The programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity, with participants gaining skills to contribute to their countries when they return home.
The fellowship covers full tuition fees, international travel expenses, monthly living stipend of €700, student accommodation arranged and paid for trimesters 1 and 2, settling-in allowance, completion and departure allowance, and study-related expenses. The total package is valued at approximately €25,000 to €40,000 depending on the course and location.
The programme is open to applicants from eligible partner countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Middle East. In the 2025/26 academic year, 225 fellowships were awarded, the highest number ever, with 146 fellows from continental Africa, 31 from Palestine, 18 from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, 15 from Small Island Developing States, and 15 from Latin America.
Eligible applicants are expected to be early to mid-career professionals with leadership potential, hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, have two to three years of relevant work experience, and demonstrate a strong commitment to contributing to the development of their home country. Applicants must not already hold a master’s qualification and must be applying to commence a new master’s programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2026.
The final list of approved courses will be announced with the official call, but previous editions have included fields such as public policy, sustainable development, climate change, agriculture, food security, education, human rights, public health, business, information technology, engineering, and social sciences.
The application process consists of three stages: Stage 1 preliminary application, Stage 2 detailed application, and Stage 3 interviews. Shortlisted candidates may be required to take an English language test, such as IELTS or the Duolingo English Test.
Interested candidates are encouraged to begin preparing their documents early, including academic transcripts, employment records, and letters of recommendation, due to the highly competitive nature of the programme. For more information, applicants should visit the Irish Aid website or contact the nearest Embassy of Ireland in their home country.
