Are you an early to mid-career Zambian professional working in government or civil society with big dreams of creating change? Here’s your golden ticket: the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme 2025 is now accepting Stage 1 applications for a fully funded one-year master’s degree at top Irish universities!
This prestigious opportunity nurtures future leaders from Zambia by offering postgraduate education that aligns with the country’s development goals and the Irish Embassy’s strategic vision.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
- Full tuition fees for a 10–16-month master’s degree at an Irish Higher Education Institution
- Return flights to Ireland
- Accommodation and living expenses fully covered
- Access to nearly 200 eligible master’s programs in fields supporting the UN SDGs and Zambia’s development priorities
- Opportunities to grow your leadership and development impact.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this life-changing fellowship, you must:
- Be a citizen of Zambia and currently residing in the country
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with Merit or higher from a recognized institution
- Have at least 3 years of substantial relevant work experience
- Not already hold a master’s degree or higher
- Be applying for a new master’s program beginning August or September 2025
- Be currently employed by one of the listed eligible government or civil society institutions
- Choose three relevant courses.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to Zambia’s development goals
- Comply with Government of Zambia’s procedural requirements
- Meet the English language proficiency standards required by Irish universities (usually via IELTS)
Note: Applicants must not have applied more than once for an Ireland Fellowship in the past.
Eligible Institutions Include
Government Bodies:
Zambia Development Agency, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture, ZAMSTATS, Anti-Corruption Commission, Smart Zambia Institute, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), and more.
Non-State Entities:
Law Association of Zambia, Civil Society, NGOs, and organizations working in Human Rights, Climate Justice, Disability, Gender Equality, and CSR.
The last date to submit your Stage 1 application for the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme 2025 is 25 July 2025.