Application for the Ireland Fellowship Program – Seán MacBride Fellowship award 2027/28 is open now!!!
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.
Get the Youth Opportunities iOS App here for the fully-funded opportunities.
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.
The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity. Our Development Policy is aligned with SDG 16 on building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and we are 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. We would like to increase the representation of female applicants and those whose gender identity does not align with the male/female gender binary.
Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox.
- Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
2. Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
3. Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
4. Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
5. Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
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.
Benefits
- Fully funded 1-year master’s degree in Ireland for early- to mid-career professionals with leadership potential.
- Covers tuition, flights, accommodation, and living expenses.
- Includes leadership, project management, conflict management, networking, and other professional development training.
- Promotes gender equality, diversity, inclusion, and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and minority/disadvantaged groups.
Eligibilities
An eligible applicant must:
- Be a citizen and resident of Namibia.
- Have at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
- Be employed by one of the following Namibian government institutions:
- Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation
- Ministry of Justice (including the Office of the Judiciary)
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Protection
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution:
- Minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 (or equivalent First Class or Second Class Honours, Grade 1).
- A Second Class Honours, Grade 2 may be accepted with substantial relevant work experience.
- Degree must have been awarded in 2015 or later.
- Must not already have a master’s degree or higher, and must not be currently enrolled in or due to begin a master’s (or higher) programme in 2026/27.
- Apply to begin a new master’s programme in Ireland for the 2027/28 academic year.
- Demonstrate:
- Leadership potential.
- Commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Namibia.
- Commitment to strengthening relations with Ireland.
- Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to the applicants academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- Meet the academic and English language requirements for all chosen programmes.
- Have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme no more than once previously (i.e., a maximum of one previous application is allowed).
- Be available to take up the fellowship in the 2027/28 academic year.
Application Process
Applicants are required to apply online by filling out the application form and providing the necessary documents through email to [email protected]
- Official identification: either passport (only the identity page is required), or other official
identification document if the applicant does not have a passport at this time; - Undergraduate degree award certificate;
- Final degree academic transcripts. Please also include the explanation of the grading system,
where provided with applicant’s transcript or otherwise available.
For further details, please check out the stage-1 guidance note from the official link.
Application Deadline: July 26, 2026 (12 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
