Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme
The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a fully-funded scholarship opportunity offered to South African students to study at Master’s level in Ireland’s world-renowned Higher Education Institutions.
This flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa is part of the broader Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme offered by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is targeted at early career professionals in South Africa, with leadership potential.
The scholarship broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals, and supporting the development of women’s leadership capacity and women’s participation in STEM are key priorities.
In addition, the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme aims to support students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue Master’s level education in Ireland, and graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology in particular are encouraged to apply.
Are you eligible?
Eligible courses
12 Annual Awards for Postgraduate Study in the following areas:
- Climate Change & Resilience, Environment, Marine, Sustainable Development, GIS
- Engineering and Sustainable Technology
- Development Studies, Human Rights, Peace Studies, International Relations, Politics, Public Policy
- International Law, Human Rights Law, Business Law
- Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology and related
- Education
- Sociology, Social Policy, Social Research and related
- Women’s Studies, Gender Studies and Equality Studies
- Information Systems, Communications Technology, Digital Media
- Business, Economics, Project Management, Strategic Management, Leadership and related
- Food Science, Food Engineering and Food Industry
- Tourism and Hospitality
Please refer to the Directory of Programmes for more information about the eligible course.
Are you eligible?
To be eligible for a Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027 applicants must:
- South African citizen and resident
- Minimum 2 years’ relevant work experience
- Bachelor’s degree (strong academic record, obtained 2015 or later)
- Not currently holding or pursuing a Master’s (or higher) degree
- Applying for a new Master’s in Ireland (starting Aug/Sept 2027)
- Demonstrated leadership and commitment to SDGs
- A commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
- Selected 3 eligible programmes and meet academic and English requirements
Please read the application guidelines carefully before applying.
What we offer
The Kader Asmal Fellowships will cover:
- 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
Kindly follow the application guidelines.
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, 3pm GMT.
For any enquiries, please email fellowships@canoncollins.org.uk.