The Ireland Fellows Programme is entirely funded by the Irish government and is run by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Programme is consistent with the Irish Government’s commitments under Global Ireland and the national implementation plan for the SDGs (SDGs).
The Master’s fellowship award covers program fees, flights, housing, and living expenses.
Overview
The Ireland Fellows Programme enables early- to mid-career professionals with leadership potential from eligible countries to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education that contributes to capacity building. It provides selected students with the opportunity to pursue a fully-funded one-year master’s degree program at an Irish higher education institution (HEI). The award covers program fees, flights, lodging, and living expenses. In Ireland, eligible master’s level programs begin in August or September of each year and last between 10 and 16 months, depending on the program. The Ireland Fellows Programme encourages gender equality, equal opportunity, and diversity.
Level/Field of Study
This scholarship is only available to Master’s programs in law, human rights, and governance at Irish universities.
Host Nationality
The Government of Ireland Fellowship is a fully-funded Master’s degree program available to qualified Nigerian students interested in studying in Ireland.
Eligibility for the Ireland Fellows Programme
- must be a Nigerian national who resides in Nigeria.
- possess at least two years of substantial work experience in a field directly related to your desired program(s).
- possess a bachelor’s degree from a government-recognized institution of higher learning with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), equivalent to a first- or second-class honours grade in Grade 1. (a second-class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It needed to have been given in 2011 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
- not currently possess a master’s degree or higher. Not currently enrolled in a master’s degree program or higher, or scheduled to begin a master’s degree program or higher in the academic year.
- be submitting an application to start a new master’s program in Ireland no earlier than August 2023.
- Be able to show that you have leadership skills and aspirations, are dedicated to helping your country achieve the SDGs, and are willing to do your part to foster good relations with Ireland.
- have chosen three human rights programs from the Casement Fellowship Directory of Eligible Programs that are pertinent to your academic and professional background.
- Clearly understand the academic and English language requirements for all of the chosen programs.
- must not have previously submitted more than one application to the Ireland Fellows Program.
- comply with all applicable procedural requirements set forth by the Nigerian government.
Only the recipient is covered by the Fellowship. Visas for spouses or dependents or financial support for them are not covered by the program’s purview.
Application Process for the Ireland Fellows Programme
Before completing your application for the Ireland Fellows Programme, please carefully read the Applicants Guidance Note as eligibility requirements may vary from country to country.
The following three steps make up the application process:
- Stage 1 Preliminary Application;
- Stage 2 Detailed Application;
- Stage 3 Interviews.
Unless they already have an IELTS certificate dated 2021 or later that verifies they have attained the required score for the course(s) they intend to apply to, all applicants who are shortlisted after the interview stage will be required to take another English language test, typically the IELTS exam. Even for native English speakers, it is highly recommended to start preparing for the IELTS exam early.
Scholarship Award
- The award includes program fees, travel, lodging, and living expenses. Each year, eligible master’s level programs in Ireland begin in August or September and last between 10 and 16 months, depending on the program.
- The Ireland Fellows Program supports diversity, equality of opportunity, and gender parity.
- The Program’s objectives are to develop the capacity of the country to achieve national SDG goals and to foster good ties with Ireland.
- The program’s goal is to assist graduates in becoming one of the upcoming generations of leaders in their respective fields upon their return to their home countries and through the skills they acquire.
Deadline for the Ireland Fellows Programme
This scholarship will run till the last day of July 2024.