2026 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Study in Ireland

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. It 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.

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.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 25 July 2025
2. Countries to Study: Ireland, South Africa
3. Program Type: Postgraduate
4. Sponsor: Irish Aid
5. Eligible Gender: Men and Women

Eligibility Criteria for 2026 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Study in Ireland

To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Kader Asmal award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2025, applicants must:

1. Be a resident national of South Africa.
2. Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
3. Hold a bachelor’s-level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale)—i.e., a first-class honor or second-class honor, Grade 1 (a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It must have been awarded in 2014 or later (i.e., within the last 12 years).
4. Not already hold a qualification at the master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher or be due to start a programme at the master’s level or higher in the academic year 2025/26.
5. Be applying to commence a new programme at the master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2025.
6. Be able to demonstrate the following: leadership abilities and aspirations; a commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country; and a commitment to contributing to building positive relationships with Ireland.
7. Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
8. Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
9. Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
10. Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2026/2027.

Benefits of 2026 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Study in Ireland

1. Ireland Fellows Programme awards are fully funded. The award includes the payment of academic
2. fees; visa application fees; medical and travel insurance; economy flights to and from Ireland; and
3. the Irish residence permit fee. Allowances include the following:
4. A settling-in allowance towards items needed on arrival in Ireland;
5. A completion and departure allowance at the end of the study period;
6. A monthly living stipend of €700 (subject to review);
7. Student accommodation arranged and paid for trimesters 1 and 2 (normally
8. September to May), and in trimester 3 a monthly accommodation stipend of €800-
9. €1000 depending on location in Ireland (subject to review).
10. In addition, the Ireland Fellows Programme features many extracurricular, training and volunteering
11. opportunities to help you make the most of your experience in Ireland.

How to Apply

For more details, visit Irish Aid Feloowship webpage

Application Deadline

July 25, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for 2026 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Study in Ireland