Organization: Irish Aid
Application Deadline: September 29, 2025
Location: Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam

Overview

Early to mid-career professionals from qualified nations have the opportunity to enroll in a fully funded Master’s program at a prestigious Irish university through the Ireland Fellows Programme-Asia. The program, which encourages academic achievement, leadership development, and capacity building in line with national SDG targets, is aimed at future leaders.

It encourages submissions from women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented groups and advances diversity, inclusion, and gender equality. It is anticipated that fellows would return home and significantly contribute to their nations’ development while cultivating enduring relationships with Ireland.

Eligibility

• Be a resident national of Vietnam, Cambodia or Lao PDR. 
• Have a minimum of two years’ (Vietnam) or three years’ (Cambodia and Lao PDR) 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 2014 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 2025/26. 
• Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2026.  
• 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 2026/2027. 
• Eligible courses are in areas such as agriculture, health, education, human rights, engineering,

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 award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs.

How to Apply

The application process consists of three stages:

• Stage 1   Preliminary Application;
• Stage 2   Detailed Application;
• Stage 3   Interviews.

Visit the official webpage to apply.

Please note: Applications will not be considered for this fellowship unless all eligibility criteria are met. You should carefully check that you can meet the above criteria before requesting application information.

For more information, please visit the Irish Aid webpage:

https://www.irishaidfellowships.ie/strands/ireland-fellows-programme-asia