Deadline: November 30, 2016

The Fellowship Training Programme was Irish Aid’s first scholarship programme, begun in 1974. Since that time, it has brought suitably qualified candidates from developing countries to undertake Masters degrees at universities and colleges in Ireland, with further students supported for similar courses in their own region.

Awards are made in fields such as development studies, rural development, health care, education and law with the aim of supporting and enhancing the contribution recipients can make to Irish Aid’s partner organisations. Eligible Masters programmes in Ireland commence in the period August to September each year and, depending on the course, scholarships will run for between 10 and 16 months.

Fellowship

• The scholarship award covers course fees, required flights, accommodation (for out of country study), monthly allowances, insurance and other incidental expenses.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must

• be a citizen of one of the partner countries named above and be residing in that country. See eligible countries: Cambodia, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Palestine, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia,  and Zimbabwe;
• be employed by and supported in their application by an Irish Aid partner organisation;
• have a minimum of three years relevant work experience;
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of their home country have identified up to two relevant and eligible Taught Masters or Postgraduate Diploma courses in Ireland or within their own region;
• be able to take up the fellowship in the academic year for which it is offered;
• provide a letter from their employer granting study leave for the duration of the fellowship and guaranteeing that they will be able to return to an equivalent position in the organisation at the end of the fellowship period;
• apply using the correct application form and by the stated deadline.

For study in Ireland, applicants must also

• be able to demonstrate skills in academic English by achieving an appropriate score on a recognised test (IELTS 6.5)
• nominate courses marked as applicable for their home country from the directory of eligible courses.

Application Process

Application for the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme is by invitation, not open call. Irish Embassies and Missions begin inviting applications from partner organisations and Ministries in September of each year.

Please contact your nearest Embassy of Ireland / Mission for further information on the Fellowship Training Programme.

Embassy of Ireland contact information by country: Cambodia (via embassy in Vietnam), Ethiopia, Lesotho (via embassy in South Africa),Liberia (via embassy in Sierra Leone), Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar (via embassy in Vietnam), Palestine, Rwanda (via embassy in Uganda), Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia,Zimbabwe (via embassy in South Africa).

For more information, visit Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme.