The Government of Ireland has announced a fully funded Master’s scholarship programme for eligible early and mid-career professionals from Nigeria and Ghana, with applications opening on June 29, 2026 and closing on July 26, 2026.
The announcement was made by the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria, which administers the fellowship programme for applicants from both countries. The initiative enables successful candidates to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at leading Irish universities while gaining skills to support development in their home countries.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be resident nationals of Nigeria or Ghana.
Hold at least a Second-Class Lower bachelor’s degree.
Have a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience.
For Nigerian applicants, the scholarship is offered through the Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights, covering Master’s programmes in Law, Human Rights, and Governance.
Applicants from Ghana can apply for a wider range of approved Master’s programmes, including Agriculture, Health, Education, Human Rights, Engineering, Business, and other eligible disciplines.
Interested applicants can apply using this link
Scholarship benefits
Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding package covering:
Full tuition fees.
Return airfare.
Visa costs.
Monthly living allowance.
Health insurance.
Accommodation stipend throughout the one-year programme.
The Embassy encouraged interested candidates to submit their applications within the application window.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply using this link
Programme objective
The Ireland Fellows Programme targets early and mid-career professionals seeking to strengthen their academic qualifications, leadership skills, and professional capacity through postgraduate education in Ireland.
Further details on eligibility, available courses, and the application process are available on the programme’s official website.
Broader Talent Strategy
The scholarship programme aligns with Ireland’s broader efforts to attract international talent.
Earlier this year, the country introduced 32 reforms to its employment permit system to address labour shortages in sectors such as construction, healthcare, transport, agri-food, and specialist services. The changes expanded the Critical Skills Employment Permit list, introduced new General Employment Permit quotas, and removed several occupations from the ineligible list.
Last year, Ireland also launched fully funded postgraduate research opportunities, providing up to two years of funding for Master’s by Research programmes and four years for PhD programmes, further strengthening its appeal to international students and professionals.
Interested applicants can apply using this link
