The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunity, and welcomes diversity. Our Development Policy is aligned with SDG 16 on building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and we are encouraging applications from the broadest possible base. The Programme welcomes applications from applicants with disabilities, and applicants who belong to a minority or disadvantaged group. We would like to increase the representation of female applicants and those whose gender identity does not align with the male/female gender binary.
The aims of the Programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals; and to build positive relationships with Ireland.
The Programme is intended to support graduates on their return home, through the skills they develop, to contribute to capacity building in their home countries and to become one of the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. It is also envisaged that they will contribute to building enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages.
The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa offered to South African students. The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is targeted at early career professionals in South Africa with leadership potential. The scholarship broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals, and supporting the development of women’s leadership capacity and women’s participation in STEM are key priorities. In addition, the Kader Asmal Fellowship 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 in particular are encouraged to apply
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Kader Asmal award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2024, applicants must:
- Be a resident national of South Africa.
- Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
- Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) – i.e. a first class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It must have been awarded in 2012 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
- Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher, or be due to start a programme at master’s level or higher in the academic year 2023/24.
- Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2024.
- Be able to demonstrate the following: leadership abilities and aspirations; a commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country; and a commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
- Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
- Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
- Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2024/2025.
Offered Benefits
The Fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support or visas for spouses or dependents are not included within the scope of the programme.
The Kader Asmal Fellowships will cover:
- University application fees
- Tuition fees
- Examination and other fees
- Economy travel to and from your country of residence to Ireland;
- Settling in allowance, book allowance and study allowance
- Accommodation
- A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover other living expense for you only and
- The costs of an entry clearance (student visitor visa) application
Application Process
Go to Irish Aid Ireland Fellows Programme on www.gapgrants.com to apply
The application process consists of three stages:
Stage 1 - preliminary application:
Opens 1 July 2024, closes 28 July 2024 A copy of the Stage 1 application form can be found below. This is a short application form which allows our selection panel to assess your eligibility under the various criteria of the Programme. You can download the Stage 1 application form at Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme — Canon Collins Trust. You will be contacted by the Canon Collins Trust once final decisions have been made and informed whether you have been successful or unsuccessful at Stage 1. Please do not otherwise contact the Irish Embassy during this period.
Stage 2 - detailed application:
Opens 23 September 2024, closes 18 October 2024 If your Stage 1 application is successful, you will be invited to move on to Stage 2 of the process, and complete a more detailed application form including the submission of all required documents. (Please see note on page 10 which provides details of all stage 2 requirements.)
Stage 3 –English language tests and interviews: (Please see note on page 11 which provides details of all stage 3 requirements). 3. Stage 1 Application - Detailed guidance notes for applicants Please read through these notes fully before you submit your Stage 1 application.
Please apply via the link to the application form available here: Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme — Canon Collins Trust.
Required Documents:
The Stage 1 process is a preliminary application which seeks information under the headings detailed below and requires you to submit a scanned copy of the following documents with your application form:
- Official identification: either your passport (only the identity page is required), or other official identification document if you do not have a passport at this time;
- Your undergraduate degree award certificate;
- Final degree academic transcripts. Please also include the explanation of the grading system, where provided with your transcript or otherwise available.
Your application will not be valid unless copies of the above documents are included
