Ireland Fellowship Programme 2026-27 for Master Studies (Fully Funded)

Applications are open for the Ireland Fellowship Programme for the academic year 2026-27. A fully funded fellowship in Ireland is offered by Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and managed through Irish embassies in eligible countries. The fellowship offers an incredible opportunity to early to mid-career professionals from the eligible countries to pursue a full-time Master’s degree programme in one of 20 participating higher education institutions (HEI) in Ireland. The fellowships are being offered in a wide range of academic fields covering Education, Human Rights, Computer Science, Business, Agriculture, Engineering, and much more that we will discuss later in this post.

Applicants with excellent academic achievements with leadership potential are highly encouraged to apply. The Ireland fellows program aims to nurture future leaders by providing them access to high quality master level education in Ireland, strengthening in-country capacity to achieve SDGs, and fostering long-term relations with Ireland. The duration of the eligible master’s degree program is 10-16 months, depending on the programme, which usually commences in August or September 2026.

There is no application fee requirement to apply for the fellowship. Read more about the Irish Fellows program eligibility criteria, list of participating institutes, eligible fields, and application process below.

Details About Ireland Fellowship Programme 2026-27

• Host Country: Ireland
• Hosted by: Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs
• Managed by: Irish embassies
• Coverage: Fully Funded
• Degree Level: Master’s Degree program

Also, Check: ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025-26 in Switzerland

Fellowship Coverage

The Irish fellowship offers generous support, and the coverage includes:

• Flight coverage
• Accommodation
• Programme fee
• Competitive Allowance to cover living expenses
• Application fees

Eligible Fields

The fellowships are available in a wide range of areas such as Health, Education, Computer Science, Engineering, Health, Human Rights, Business, and much more. Check out the list of all eligible programs by visiting the Directory of Eligible Programmes.

List of Participating Institutions

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants from the eligible countries are invited to submit applications
• Possess a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience
• Applicants possess a Bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record
• Applicants already holding a master’s degree are not eligible
• Students currently enrolled in master’s degree programs are not eligible
• Committed to begin a master’s in Ireland in August/September 2026
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Commitment towards SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
• Meet the specific English requirements

List of Eligible Countries

Applicants from the following countries are invited to submit their applications:

1. Africa: Angola, Burundi, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, and Malawi

2. Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

3. Latin America: Argentina, Belize,  Ecuador,  Honduras, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, and Venezuela

4. Small Island Developing States: St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Samoa, São Tomé & Príncipe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands,  Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea‑Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, Comoros,  Timor‑Leste and Tonga

Note: Fields and requirements may vary region to region; therefore, do check out the details criteria for your desired region before starting with your application.

Required Documents

1. Academic Transcripts
2. Bachelors Degree Certificate
3. Updated Curriculum Vitae/Resume
4. Personal Statement
5. 1-2 Letter of Recommendation
6. Proof of English Proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo)
7. Applicant’s ID or Passport

Also, Check:

• List of Fellowships in the United States 2026
• Bonn International Fellowships 2026 in German
• List of Best Fellowships in Europe 2025-26

How to Apply for the Ireland Fellows Programme?

The application consists of three steps:

• Step 1: Initial Application
• Step 2: Detailed Application
• Stage 3: Interviews

Application Deadline:

• Stage 1: Preliminary Application: July 25, 2025
• Stage 2: Details Application: October 17th, 2025