Exciting fully funded fellowship opportunity: Apply now for the 2027/28 Ireland Fellows Programme to study in Ireland

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Closing Date: 26 July 2026

Exciting fully funded fellowship opportunity: Apply now for the 2027/28 Ireland Fellows Programme to study in Ireland

The Ireland Fellows Programme offers people from around the world the opportunity to spend one year studying in Ireland.

Ireland believes that education is central to creating a better world. The programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Almost 4,000 people have studied in Ireland over the past 50+ years as part of the programme.

2027/28 Ireland Fellows Programme Overview

Providing early career professionals, with leadership potential, opportunities to undertake a Master’s course in an Irish higher education institution.

The Ireland Fellows Programme provides a unique opportunity to early to mid-career professionals with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building.

What is the Ireland Fellows Programme?

The Irish Government offers a number of fully funded 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. The Development Policy is aligned with SDG 16 on building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and the programme is 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.

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.

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.

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 fully funded fellowship is offered by the Irish Government. 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.

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 3 –Interviews (approximately November/December annually)

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.