Deadline: July 26, 2026.

The aims of the programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals and to build positive relationships with Ireland.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Kader Asmal award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027, applicants must:

• Be a resident national of South Africa.
• Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
• Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 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).
• 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 2026/2027.
• Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2027.
• Be able to demonstrate the following: leadership abilities and aspirations; a commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country; and a commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
• Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
• Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
• Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
• Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2027/2028.

BENEFITS

Ireland Fellows Programme awards are fully funded. The award includes the payment of academic fees; visa application fees; medical and travel insurance; economy flights to and from Ireland; and the Irish residence permit fee. Allowances include the following:

1. Student accommodation arranged and paid for trimesters 1 and 2 (normally September to May), and in trimester 3 a monthly accommodation stipend of €800-€1000 depending on location in Ireland (subject to review).
2. In addition, the Ireland Fellows Programme features many extracurricular, training and volunteering
   opportunities to help you make the most of your experience in Ireland
3. A settling-in allowance towards items needed on arrival in Ireland;
4. A completion and departure allowance at the end of the study period;
5. A monthly living stipend of €700 (subject to review);

APPLICATION

The application process consists of three stages:

1. Preliminary Application
2. Detailed Application
3. Interviews.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE