Ireland Fellows Programme 2027/28: Fully Funded Master's Scholarships in Ireland
The Government of Ireland’s 2027/28 Ireland Fellows applications are closed for most strands; the Ireland–Palestine Scholarship Programme remains open until 20 October 2026.
This captured cycle appears closed. Use this page for historical guidance unless the official source has reopened the program.
Captured cycle: This page is retained for historical guidance. Confirm whether the program has reopened before planning an application.
Ireland Fellows Programme 2027/28: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Ireland
The Government of Ireland’s Ireland Fellows Programme offers fully funded master’s study through country and regional strands. For the 2027/28 academic year, the broad application hub currently says that applications are closed for the Africa, Latin America, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Asia streams. One route is still open: the Ireland–Palestine Scholarship Programme (IPSP) is accepting applications from eligible applicants living in Palestine until 20 October 2026 at 23:59 Palestine time (GMT+3). This page describes that live route separately from the strands that have closed; it is not a general invitation for applicants from any country to apply.
The Ireland Fellows Programme is funded by the Irish Government under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Relevant embassies manage applications, while the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) supports programme implementation in Ireland. The fellowships help early- to mid-career professionals build skills through a master’s programme and apply those skills toward development priorities in their home countries. Each strand sets its own eligible countries, courses, criteria, and submission route, so the details below focus on the currently open IPSP call wherever a deadline or concrete rule is given.
Key Details at a Glance
| Item | 2027/28 cycle detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Ireland Fellows Programme, academic year 2027/28 |
| Funder and administrator | Government of Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; applications managed by relevant embassies |
| Study level | One-year master’s-level programme at an eligible Irish higher education institution |
| Funding | Fully funded award; IPSP offers 30 scholarships for one-year master’s programmes |
| IPSP deadline | 20 October 2026, 23:59 Palestine time (GMT+3) |
| Current status | IPSP open; Africa, Latin America, SIDS, and Asia streams closed for 2027/28 |
| Study start condition | Take up the scholarship during academic year 2027/28 |
| IPSP eligible applicants | Palestinian applicants currently resident in Palestine and holding a Palestinian or Jerusalem ID, subject to all course, degree, and language requirements |
| Application route | Online application with clear scanned supporting documents; originals requested from candidates selected after Round-One interviews |
| Official application hub | Ireland Fellows application hub |
The programme’s official pages emphasize that eligibility differs by country and strand. Applicants must follow the route for their place of residence and should not assume that eligibility for one strand transfers to another. For applicants outside Palestine, the page currently describes a closed 2027/28 route unless their official strand page says otherwise.
What the 2027/28 Award Covered
For the open IPSP call, the official programme page describes a fully funded award and says 30 scholarships are offered for one-year master’s programmes at participating Irish institutions. Coverage includes academic fees, visa application fees, medical and travel insurance, economy flights to and from Ireland, and the Irish residence permit fee. Allowances include a settling-in allowance and completion and departure allowance, plus a monthly living stipend of €700 subject to review.
The IPSP page says student accommodation is arranged and paid for during trimesters 1 and 2, normally from September to May. In trimester 3, fellows receive a monthly accommodation stipend of €800 to €1,000, depending on their location in Ireland and subject to review. These are the terms published for this call and should not be assumed to remain unchanged in future years or apply identically to every Ireland Fellows strand.
The award covers the fellow, not accompanying dependants. The IPSP guidance says practical, visa, or residency support for family members is outside the programme’s scope. Applicants also cannot assume that any master’s course in Ireland qualifies: they must use the IPSP Directory of Eligible Postgraduate Courses and confirm course requirements with the institution.
Who Was Eligible for This Cycle
The official IPSP requirements apply to the open Palestine route. They should not be substituted for another strand’s rules:
- Nationality, residence, and identification. Applicants must be Palestinian, currently resident in Palestine, and hold a Palestinian or Jerusalem ID. This call is not open to Palestinians living elsewhere under the criteria stated on the programme page.
- Undergraduate degree. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 80% or 3.0 GPA, or an equivalent standard. They must also meet the academic entry requirements for their selected master’s courses.
- Three appropriate courses. Applicants must identify and select three relevant courses from the IPSP’s official directory of eligible postgraduate courses. They should confirm entry standards directly with the institutions and rank choices carefully.
- English proficiency. The application must include a valid English-language score report dated September 2025 or later. The page accepts IELTS 6.5, ITP 550, TOEFL iBT 80, or Duolingo 120 overall with at least 105 in each sub-score. Course providers may impose their own standards as well.
- Previous study and application history. Applicants must not already hold a master’s-level or higher qualification. They must be applying to begin a new qualification rather than seeking funding for a programme already started or one that begins before scholarship awards are notified. A person who has applied more than once previously to the Ireland Fellows Programme is ineligible.
- Availability and commitment. Successful applicants must be able to take up the scholarship in academic year 2027/28. The programme also expects successful scholars to return to their home country after completing their studies.
These conditions explain why a broad scholarship summary can be misleading. A strong bachelor’s degree alone was not enough. The course list, work history, country route, previous application history, English preparation, and development plan all mattered.
How the 2027/28 Application Worked
The wider Ireland Fellows process is described as three stages, but the current IPSP call uses an online form and has its own supporting-document process. Applicants should rely on the IPSP page and application guidance rather than the steps of a closed strand:
- Online application. Use the IPSP page’s online application link. Complete the fields and upload clear scanned copies of every required supporting document in its designated field. Applications must arrive before the stated deadline; a late submission should not be assumed eligible.
- Review and interviews. The official page says shortlisted candidates can expect interviews in December 2026. Keep original documents because the programme asks selected applicants to submit originals by hand to Amideast after Round-One interviews. It says it will contact selected candidates directly about submission options given the practical constraints some applicants face.
- Further selection and university applications. Do not independently apply to Irish universities before being shortlisted and instructed. The programme’s FAQ says shortlisted applicants will receive information from ICOS about applying to selected courses. Admission is subject to the relevant higher education institution’s requirements.
The IPSP route specifically requires an online application with scanned documents. Other strands may use a different embassy, email, partner, or online process, but those routes are not interchangeable. An applicant should open the page for their strand, read its guidance, and use only its linked form and submission instructions.
Materials a Prospective Applicant Needed
For an IPSP application, the official FAQ specifies clear scanned copies of a recent passport-sized photograph; official graduation certificates for completed higher education qualifications; academic transcripts and grading explanations; two academic reference letters on official letterhead with original signatures; passport identity page and Palestinian ID; national ID; a current CV; and the qualifying English score report. The two referees must be academics who taught the applicant personally. Their letters should explain the applicant’s suitability and why the selected programmes fit.
The three course choices must come from the IPSP directory, not merely from a general search of Irish universities. For each choice, check prerequisites and English requirements on the institution’s own course page as well. Applicants should make sure that their academic record supports admission and that their course choices connect to a credible plan to use the training at home. The programme’s FAQ says that course applications should wait until the applicant is shortlisted and receives instructions.
Retain the originals of all documents submitted online. If selected after interviews, the programme may request physical copies through Amideast; the FAQ identifies 18 January 2027 as the hard-copy submission deadline. Applicants should also be prepared to provide any additional documents requested during selection and to meet the English standards required by their chosen institutions.
What Readers Should Do Now
Eligible applicants living in Palestine can still apply to the IPSP by 20 October 2026 at 23:59 Palestine time (GMT+3) through the online form linked from the official programme page. Before starting, check that the selected courses appear in the current directory, prepare the required scans and English score evidence, and ensure the application is complete. The other 2027/28 streams identified on the hub as closed are not accepting new Stage 1 submissions.
Applicants from other countries should monitor their relevant embassy and the official application hub for future calls. A closed 2027/28 strand should not be treated as open merely because the programme generally recurs each year. When a future call appears, follow its own country eligibility criteria, form, deadline, course directory, and documentary requirements. The programme is selective, and the relationship among academic preparation, professional direction, course choices, and home-country development goals matters throughout selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still submit a 2027/28 application?
The Ireland–Palestine Scholarship Programme is open to eligible applicants living in Palestine until 20 October 2026. The application hub says the Africa, Latin America, SIDS, and Asia streams are closed for this academic year.
Was the programme fully funded?
Yes. For IPSP the official page lists academic fees, visa application fees, medical and travel insurance, economy flights, the Irish residence permit fee, living and accommodation support, and settling-in and completion/departure allowances. Published allowance rates are subject to review.
Did every eligible developing country use the same rules?
No. Eligibility and route differ by country. The currently open IPSP call is for Palestinians residing in Palestine who meet its stated criteria; other applicants must use the page for their own strand.
Did the award include dependants?
No. The guidance says the fellowship covers the recipient only and excludes financial support or visas for spouses and dependants.
When should I check again?
The application hub lists the current status by strand. It does not announce a replacement round for the closed streams in the material reviewed for this update.
Official Source
Use the Government of Ireland Ireland Fellows Programme application hub for strand status and the linked guidance. The currently open Palestine call is detailed on the official Ireland–Palestine Scholarship Programme page, which includes its deadline, award coverage, eligibility, application link, and document list. Both are Government of Ireland pages. The verified application hub resolves to the official Ireland.ie API-hosted page.