Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme 2020/2021 for young Africans

Application Deadline: August 28th 2019

The aims of the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme are to nurture future African leaders, women and men, to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals, and to build positive relationships between Ireland and Africa. 

Through the programme, early career professional women and men, with leadership potential, from eligible countries will avail of relevant postgraduate study opportunities in Irish higher education institutions. On completion of their studies, graduates will have acquired relevant skills and knowledge and be better capacitated and positioned to influence the advancement of national social, economic and development priorities. Fostering women’s leadership capacity will be a priority. On return, graduates are expected to resume work and put their acquired skills into good use for the benefit of their home countries

The programme offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded one-year master’s programme at a prestigious higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. The award covers course fees, flights, and accommodation and living costs. Eligible master’s courses in Ireland commence in August or September each year and, depending on the course, will run for between 10 and 16 months. The Programme promotes equal opportunity and welcomes diversity.

Studying at postgraduate level in Ireland offers a unique opportunity to join programmes that are driving innovation and changing lives worldwide. Applicants can choose from almost 200 postgraduate programmes specially selected to enhance capacity in line with stated country development goals and the strategy of the Irish Embassy. The range of courses includes development studies, gender studies, climate related rural development, health care, education and strategic management.

Eligible Countries:  Burundi Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Lesotho Malawi Mozambique Rwanda Sierra Leone Somalia Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Eligible Courses: 

A draft directory of eligible postgraduate programmes is available below. The final directory of programmes will be available in early August. Choose from courses in areas such as agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business and more.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme scholarship commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2020 applicants must:

• Be a resident national of one of the following countries: Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Have a minimum of two or three years’ relevant work experience (this can include internships and volunteering positions), depending on the country (details provided in the application form).
• Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 75% – i.e. a first class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (in some cases a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted).
• Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher.
• Be applying to commence a new course at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August/September 2020.
• Be able to demonstrate leadership abilities and aspirations, as well as commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country.
• Have identified and selected two relevant courses from the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme Directory of Eligible Courses.
• Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for both courses chosen.
• Must not have applied for any Irish Aid Fellowship programme on more than one previous occasion.
• Be in a position to take up the scholarship in the academic year 2020/2021.

Applications

Please read the Applicants Guidance Note carefully before completing as eligibility criteria may differ from country to country. 

The application process consists of three stages:

• Stage 1   Preliminary Application;
• Stage 2   Detailed Application;
• Stage 3   Interviews.

All applicants who are selected to go forward to second stage will be required to sit an IELTS exam, unless they are already in possession of an IELTS certificate that is dated 2018 or later at the time of application which shows the applicant has achieved the necessary score for the course they intend to apply to. Early preparation for the IELTS exam is strongly advised, even for native English speakers.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme 2020/2021