Latin America Ireland Fellowships 2027 Admissions Open
A fully funded master’s year in Ireland is now on the table for early and mid-career professionals from 13 Latin American countries, with the Irish Government covering not only tuition but flights, accommodation, visa costs, insurance, and a monthly living stipend.
The Ireland Fellows Programme – Latin America 2027-28 is a Government of Ireland fellowship for professionals who want to study a one-year master’s degree at an Irish higher education institution. It is aimed at applicants with leadership potential from eligible Latin American countries. The award covers academic fees, travel, accommodation, living costs, insurance, visa-related costs, and Ireland residence permit fees.
What the Fellowship Actually Pays For?
This is one of the more financially complete government-funded awards available for Latin American applicants because it does not stop at tuition. Selected fellows receive full payment of academic fees, economy flights to and from Ireland, visa application fees, medical and travel insurance, and the Irish residence permit fee.
The living support is also clearly defined. Fellows receive a settling-in allowance after arrival, a completion and departure allowance at the end of the study period, and a monthly stipend of €700, subject to review. Student accommodation is arranged and paid for during trimesters 1 and 2, normally from September to May. For trimester 3, fellows receive a monthly accommodation stipend of €800 to €1,000 depending on location in Ireland, also subject to review.
One important restriction should not be missed: the fellowship covers the selected recipient only. It does not include financial support or visas for spouses or dependents.
Who Can Compete for the 2027-28 Intake?
The Ireland Fellows Programme – Latin America is open to resident nationals of specific countries under three award routes. Applicants from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras apply under the Central America Award. Applicants from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela apply under the Roger Casement Award in Human Rights. Applicants from Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay apply under the Cecilia Grierson Award in Equality, which focuses on STEMM subjects.
Candidates must have at least three years of substantial work experience directly relevant to their proposed master’s programme. They must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, government-recognised institution, normally with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent, awarded in 2015 or later.
Applicants who already hold a master’s degree or higher are not eligible. Those currently studying at master’s level, or due to begin a master’s programme in 2026/27, are also excluded.
Why This Award Is Selective, But Not Out of Reach?
This fellowship is not designed as a general study-abroad scholarship for fresh graduates. It is aimed at professionals who can show a credible link between their career, their chosen master’s programmes in Ireland, and the development priorities of their home country.
That makes the competition more strategic than purely academic. Strong grades matter, but the application will likely favour candidates who can show leadership, public-value work, relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a convincing plan to build professional links between Latin America and Ireland.
Applicants must choose three eligible master’s programmes from the official directory. The guidance strongly recommends selecting programmes across three different Irish higher education institutions where possible, because this can improve the chance of receiving a course offer later in the process.
Ireland’s Offer Goes Beyond the Degree
Ireland’s higher education system is positioned within a country that has built a strong international profile in technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, innovation, and research partnerships. For Latin American professionals, the appeal is not only the funded master’s year but also access to an English-speaking European academic environment with postgraduate programmes tied to public policy, development, human rights, equality, science, and institutional capacity building.
The programme is funded by the Irish Government and managed through the relevant Embassy of Ireland, with implementation support in Ireland from the Irish Council for International Students. Its stated purpose is to develop future leaders who return home with skills that contribute to national capacity building.
Application Documents, English Testing, and Deadline
Stage 1 is a preliminary application submitted by email to the relevant Embassy of Ireland. Applicants must submit a typed application form with official identification, undergraduate degree certificate, and final academic transcript. Applications without these documents are not valid.
The application also asks for personal details, education history, work experience, leadership roles, three master’s programme choices, and a motivation statement explaining how the selected programmes support career goals, national SDG priorities, and links with Ireland. Shortlisted applicants without acceptable English language certification may be asked to take the Duolingo English Test, while some candidates may later need IELTS in January 2027. Most Irish institutions require around IELTS 6.5 overall, although some programmes may require higher scores.
The Stage 1 application deadline for the Ireland Fellows Programme – Latin America 2027-28 is 26 July 2026.