Summary
The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a prestigious, fully funded Master’s scholarship flagship program offered by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa (as part of the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs). It provides 12 annual fully funded awards to early-career South African professionals with leadership potential, supporting transformative postgraduate education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Named in honor of Professor Kader Asmal, the fellowship explicitly prioritizes women’s leadership development, women’s participation in STEM, and candidates from Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology.
- 🎓 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a fully funded Master’s scholarship for South African students to study at leading universities in Ireland.
- 🇮🇪 Offered by: The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa under the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme, managed by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs.
- 🌍 Annual Awards: 12 fully funded fellowships are awarded each year to early-career South African professionals with leadership potential.
- 👩🎓 Mission: Supports postgraduate education while promoting leadership, sustainable development, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- 👩🔬 Priority Groups: Strong emphasis on women’s leadership, women in STEM, and graduates from Historically Disadvantaged Universities and Universities of Technology.
- 🏛️ Named After: Professor Kader Asmal, a renowned South African democratic leader and former Irish academic.
- 💰 Comprehensive Funding Includes:
- Full tuition fees
- University application and examination fees
- Return economy airfare
- Accommodation
- Monthly living stipend
- Settling-in allowance
- Book and study allowances
- Student visa costs
- 📚 Eligible Study Areas: Climate Change, Engineering, Sustainable Development, Human Rights, International Relations, Law, Health, Medicine, Biotechnology, Education, Sociology, Gender Studies, ICT, Business, Economics, Leadership, Food Science, Tourism, and Hospitality.
Overview Table
| Detail | Information |
| Fellowship Name | Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme |
| Offered By | Embassy of Ireland in South Africa / Dept. of Foreign Affairs |
| Administered By | Canon Collins Trust |
| Host Country | Ireland |
| Degree Level | Master’s (Postgraduate) |
| Number of Awards | 12 annual fellowships |
| Application Deadline | 27 July at 3:00 PM GMT |
Designation / Award Level
- Designation: Kader Asmal Fellow / Postgraduate Scholar
- Degree Level: Master’s Degree (Postgraduate)
Location
- Host Country: Ireland (at world-renowned higher education institutions across Ireland)
- Target Applicants: South Africa
Research / Subject Areas
Eligible Master’s programs must align with sustainable development and South Africa’s national priorities, spanning the following fields:
- Climate Change & Resilience, Environment, Marine, Sustainable Development, and GIS
- Engineering and Sustainable Technology
- Development Studies, Human Rights, Peace Studies, International Relations, Politics, and Public Policy
- International Law, Human Rights Law, and Business Law
- Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Biotechnology
- Education
- Sociology, Social Policy, and Social Research
- Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, and Equality Studies
- Information Systems, Communications Technology, and Digital Media
- Business, Economics, Project Management, Strategic Management, and Leadership
- Food Science, Food Engineering, and Food Industry
- Tourism and Hospitality
Eligibility / Qualification
- Must be a citizen or resident of South Africa.
- Must be an early-career professional with demonstrated leadership potential.
- Specific priority is given to women applicants (especially in STEM fields) and students graduating from Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology in South Africa.
- Candidates must identify three eligible Irish university programs from the official Directory of Programmes that match their academic background.
Fellowship Benefits (Job / Award Description)
This is a fully funded, zero-cost government-backed fellowship that eliminates every significant financial barrier. The comprehensive package covers:
- Full university application, tuition, examination, and academic fees.
- Return economy international flights between South Africa and Ireland.
- A one-time settling-in allowance.
- Book and study allowances for required course materials.
- Accommodations support for the duration of the fellowship.
- A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover regular expenses.
- Full coverage of entry clearance (student visitor visa) application costs.
How to Apply
The application follows a structured process administered by the Canon Collins Trust:
- Review Guidelines: Read the official Stage 1 Application Guidance Note available on the Canon Collins Trust website.
- Select Programs: Choose three eligible Irish university programs from the official Directory of Programmes.
- Submit Online: Complete and submit the Stage 1 online application form through the official Canon Collins Trust application portal.Note: Do not contact the Irish Embassy during the Stage 1 review period; Canon Collins Trust will contact all applicants directly with selection decisions. For enquiries, applicants can email fellowships@canoncollins.org.uk.
Last Date to Apply
- Application Deadline: July 27 at 3:00 PM GMT
