Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded Master's in Ireland

Scholarship Description

The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a fully-funded scholarship opportunity offered to South African students to study at Master's level in Ireland's world-renowned Higher Education Institutions. This flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa is part of the broader Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme offered by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs.

The programme is targeted at early career professionals in South Africa with leadership potential. It broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with key priorities including developing women's leadership capacity and increasing women's participation in STEM fields. The programme aims to support students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue Master's level education in Ireland, and graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology are particularly encouraged to apply.

Named after the late Professor Kader Asmal, a South African anti-apartheid activist, human rights lawyer, and former Minister of Education, the fellowship honours his legacy of leadership, service, and commitment to education as a powerful tool for change.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship supports study at Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. Fellows will pursue their Master's degrees at Irish universities, including University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, National University of Ireland Galway, and other world-renowned institutions across the Republic of Ireland.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications close on 27 July 2026 at 3:00 PM GMT.

Host Institution / Organizer

The programme is managed by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa in partnership with the Canon Collins Trust, which administers the application process. The Canon Collins Trust is a South African educational trust that supports scholarships and fellowships for Southern African students.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Master's degree (postgraduate).

Eligible fields of study (12 annual awards):

• Climate Change & Resilience, Environment, Marine, Sustainable Development, GIS
• Engineering and Sustainable Technology
• Development Studies, Human Rights, Peace Studies, International Relations, Politics, Public Policy
• International Law, Human Rights Law, Business Law
• Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology and related
• Education
• Sociology, Social Policy, Social Research and related
• Women's Studies, Gender Studies and Equality Studies
• Information Systems, Communications Technology, Digital Media
• Business, Economics, Project Management, Strategic Management, Leadership and related
• Food Science, Food Engineering and Food Industry
• Tourism and Hospitality

Please refer to the Directory of Programmes for more information about eligible courses.

Target Group

The programme is targeted at early career professionals in South Africa with leadership potential. Key priorities include:

• Supporting leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Developing women's leadership capacity
• Increasing women's participation in STEM fields
• Supporting students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study in Ireland
• Graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology are particularly encouraged to apply

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: Duration of the Master's programme (typically 1 year).

Scholarship Coverage (fully funded):

• University application fees
• Tuition fees
• Examination and other fees
• Economy travel to and from South Africa to Ireland
• Settling-in allowance
• Book allowance
• Study allowance
• Accommodation
• Monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover other living expenses
• Costs of an entry clearance (student visitor visa) application

Number of Awards: 12 annual awards for postgraduate study.

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Citizenship: South African citizen and resident.
• Work experience: Minimum 2 years' relevant work experience.
• Education: Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record, obtained in 2015 or later.
• Degree status: Not currently holding or pursuing a Master's (or higher) degree.
• Application: Applying for a new Master's in Ireland (starting August/September 2027).
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Commitment: Commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
• Programmes: Selected 3 eligible programmes and meet academic and English requirements.

Priority groups:

• Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage.
• Graduates of Universities of Technology.
• Students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study in Ireland.

Application Procedure

1. Check eligibility – Ensure you meet all criteria: South African citizenship, 2+ years' work experience, Bachelor's degree (2015 or later), and no current Master's degree.
2. Review application guidelines – Read the application guidelines carefully before applying.
3. Select 3 eligible programmes – Identify three eligible Master's programmes in Ireland that match your field of study and meet academic and English requirements.
4. Prepare required documents – Gather the following:
   • Completed online application form
   • Academic transcripts and degree certificates
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Motivation letter or personal statement
   • Letters of recommendation
   • Proof of English language proficiency
   • Work experience documentation
   • Leadership and SDG commitment statements
5. Submit Stage 1 application – Applications are submitted online via the Canon Collins Trust application link. Only Stage 1 applications submitted online will be accepted.
6. Wait for notification – You will be contacted by Canon Collins Trust once final decisions have been made and informed whether you have been successful or unsuccessful at Stage 1. Please do not contact the Irish Embassy during this period.
7. Stage 2 application – If successful at Stage 1, you will be invited to complete Stage 2 of the application process.

Important notes: Applications close on 27 July 2026 at 3:00 PM GMT. Late applications will not be accepted. For any enquiries, email [email protected].

Official Website & Application Links

Canon Collins Trust – Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme Official Page

Contact Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Ireland in South Africa: www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/south-africa/