Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa

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. It offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. 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. The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity.

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.

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 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, A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, and Ireland’s International Education Strategy. The programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries. Programme implementation in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).

Eligible courses are in areas such as agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business and more, and are listed in a Directory of Eligible Programmes.

Eligible nationalities for this programme via the Canon Collins Trust: Zimbabwe and Lesotho

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa scholarship commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027/8 applicants must:

• Be from Zimbabwe or Lesotho
• 2–3 years’ relevant work experience (country-dependent)
• Bachelor’s degree (strong academic record, obtained 2015 or later)
• Clear understanding of academic and English language requirements
• Not applied more than once previously to the programme
• Available to commence studies in the 2027/2028 academic year
• Not holding or pursuing a Master’s (or higher) degree
• Applying for a new Master’s programme in Ireland from August 2027
• Demonstrates leadership, commitment to SDGs
• A commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland
• Selected three eligible programmes

Please download and read the guidelines carefully before applying for this scholarship.

What we offer

The award covers:

• university application fees
• tuition fees
• examination and other fees
• economy travel to and from your country of residence to Ireland;
• settling in allowance, book allowance and study allowance
• accommodation
• a monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover other living expense for you only and
• the costs of an entry clearance (student visitor visa) application

How to apply

We will only accept Stage 1 applications submitted online. Please apply via the link. You will be contacted by Canon Collins Trust once final decisions have been made and informed whether you have been successful or unsuccessful at Stage 1. Please do not otherwise contact the Irish Embassy during this period.

Applications close on 27 July 2026, 3pm GMT.