The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa invites eligible South African students to apply for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme for the 2026/2027 academic year. This fully-funded scholarship is managed by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, providing exceptional individuals with the opportunity to pursue Master’s-level studies in Ireland’s top universities.
Scholarship Application Closing Date: 25 July 2025 at 17:00 (South African Time)
Study Location: Ireland (at participating Higher Education Institutions)
About the Kader Asmal Fellowship
The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is an initiative of the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme. It offers a life-changing opportunity to South African professionals who want to contribute to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals in their communities and fields of expertise.
The programme consists of two application strands:
Strand 1: 12 Annual Awards for Master’s Degrees in:
- Business, Economics, Project/Strategic Management, Leadership
- Climate Change, Environment, Marine, Sustainable Development, GIS
- Development Studies, Human Rights, Peace Studies, Public Policy
- Education
- Engineering and Sustainable Technology
- Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Industry
- Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology
- ICT, Digital Media, Information Systems
- Law (International, Human Rights, Business)
- Sociology, Social Policy, Social Research
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Gender, Women’s and Equality Studies
Strand 2: 2 Awards for Human Rights Law
- Master’s in International and Comparative Law (LL.M) at Trinity College Dublin
- Selected by CASAC (Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution)
Scholarship Benefits
Successful candidates will receive comprehensive financial support, covering:
- University application & tuition fees
- Visa and exam fees
- Return flights to Ireland
- Settling-in allowance
- Monthly living stipend
- Accommodation support
- Book and study materials allowance
Who Should Apply?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be a South African citizen and resident
- Must have completed an Honours-level qualification (from 2014 onwards)
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
(First Class or Second Class Honours Grade 1; Grade 2 may be considered with strong work experience) - Must not hold a Master’s or higher qualification
- Must have selected two eligible Master’s programmes from the Directory of Eligible Courses (.pdf)
- Must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience
- Must demonstrate leadership potential
- Must be committed to development and the UN SDGs
- Must not have applied more than once before for this fellowship
How to Apply
Click here to apply for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme 2026/2027:
https://www.gapgrants.com/bslgap/DseatFFX.jsp
Before applying, download and read the official guidelines:
Kader Asmal Fellowship Guidelines (.pdf)
Required Documents
- Passport or South African ID
- Honours degree certificate
- Final academic transcripts (with grading explanation)
Note: All documents must be submitted via the online portal by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
- Stage 1 applications will be reviewed by Canon Collins Trust
- Shortlisted applicants may undergo further assessment and interviews
- Final awardees will be notified directly—please do not contact the Irish Embassy during this process