Irish Aid’s Fellowship Training Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of development partner organisations in countries benefiting from Irish Aid support through the provision of higher education study opportunities.
The programme offers a number of study fellowship awards annually to candidates from partner organizations in developing countries to further their education in Ireland or within their own region in areas relevant to Irish Aid programme objectives.
Fellowships are offered for full time Postgraduate Diploma/Master’s level study and there is a particular emphasis on linking fellowship awards to the priorities of Irish Aid country strategies in our partner countries.
Countries participating in the Fellowship Training Programme
The participating countries are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Palestine.
Target Group
Fellowships are targeted at mid-career professionals in development partner organisations who on completion of the programme are committed to returning home to resume work and put their acquired skills into practice for the benefit of the organisation and the wider community.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an Irish Aid Fellowship applicants must:
- be a citizen of one of Irish Aid’s partner countries (i.e. Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia) or Palestine.
- be currently employed by an Irish Aid partner organisation and nominated by that organisation to apply.
- be residing in their home countries.
- have achieved the necessary standard to be accepted onto a PG/MA course in a Higher Education Institute in Ireland or within their own region.
- have a minimum of three years relevant work experience in development.
- have identified a relevant college course in a Higher Education Institute in Ireland or within their own region.
- be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for one already commenced.
- have obtained a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 570 if applying to study at an Irish Higher Education Institute and be able to provide an original copy of the test results. Results must be from a test taken within two years of the application date.
- be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of their home country.
- 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.
Closing Date
The closing date for receipt of applications to the Embassy of Ireland in the participating countries is 31 December each year.
For more information, visit this link.
