Deadline: July 26, 2026
Applications are open for the Ireland Fellows Programme – Seán MacBride Fellowship 2027-2028. The aims of the programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals and to build positive relationships with Ireland.
The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Foreign Affairs, with implementation support in Ireland from ICOS.
Benefits
- Fully funded tuition
- Living stipend included
- Global alumni network
Eligibility
To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Seán MacBride Fellowship award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027, applicants must:
- Be a resident national of Namibia.
- Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
- Be working with the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the Ministry of Justice (including the Office of the Judiciary), the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Protection in Namibia.
- 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 honour, or second class honour, 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 2015 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
- Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher, or be due to start a programme at master’s level or higher in the academic year 2026/27.
- Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2026.
- 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 contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
- Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from Sections C and D of the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
- Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
- Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2027/2028.
Application
Applications should be submitted by email to the Embassy of Ireland, Zambia at the email address: [email protected].
For more information, visit Seán MacBride Fellowship.
