Ireland is currently inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for fully funded 1-year Master’s scholarships under the 2026 Ireland Fellows Programme 🇮🇪 

Here’s the full breakdown:

1. Programme Name: Ireland Fellows Programme 2026/2027

This is funded by the Government of Ireland through Irish Aid. It’s for early and mid-career professionals from Nigeria + Ghana.

Special Track for Nigerians: The Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights. It focuses on Master’s in Law, Human Rights, and Governance.

2. What It Covers - 100% Fully Funded

• Full tuition fees
• Return flight tickets to Ireland
• Visa costs
• Monthly living allowance/stipend
• Accommodation support/stipends
• Health insurance
• University accommodation

Total value: Everything covered so you only focus on studies.

3. Duration & Study Level

• 1-year, full-time Master’s degree at top Irish universities
• 10 to 16 months depending on course and institution
• Start date: August/September 2026

4. Eligibility for Nigerians

1. Nationality: Must be a resident of Nigeria
2. Academic: Bachelor’s degree with minimum Second Class Lower 2:2. Or GPA 3.0/4.0 awarded in 2014 or later
3. Work Experience: At least 3 years of relevant, verifiable work experience.
4. Career Level: Early to mid-career professionals
5. Other: Not already holding or pursuing a Master’s degree. Must show leadership potential + commitment to SDGs/national development
6. English: IELTS 6.5+ or valid certificate from 2024/2025

5. Eligible Fields of Study

You must pick 3 programmes from the official Directory. Examples include:

• Agriculture & Rural Development
• Public Health & Nutrition
• Education & Literacy
• Human Rights & Social Justice / Law / Governance
• Computer Science & Engineering
• Business Administration & Economics
• Environmental Science & Climate Action
• Gender Studies & Public Policy

6. Key Dates for 2026 Intake

• Applications Open: Monday, June 29, 2026
• Applications Close: July 26, 2026

Apply here: https://irelandfellows.africa

7. Application Process

It’s 3 stages:

1. Preliminary Application
2. Detailed Application
3. Interview Stage

Shortlisted candidates will need to provide IELTS if not already submitted.

8. Other Ireland Scholarship Option: GOI-IES

There’s also the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships.

• 60 scholarships/year for non-EU/EEA students
• Covers: Full tuition fee waiver + €10,000 stipend for 1 year
• Deadline: March 12, 2026, for Sept/Oct 2026 start
• Open to all disciplines

Important Tips for Nigerians Applying

1. Target SDGs: The programme is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Show how your Masters will impact Nigeria.
2. Return Requirement: Fellows are expected to return home to contribute to national development
3. Competitive: It’s highly competitive. Strong work experience + clear development goals matter.
4. No AADP for study: The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme is for business grants, not scholarships, and won’t run in 2026.

Official Portal: https://irelandfellows.africa