The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme 2026 for early to mid-career Namibian Professionals

The Ireland Fellows Programme enables early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building. It offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs. Eligible master’s level programmes in Ireland commence in August or September each year and, depending on the programme, will run for between 10 and 16 months.

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.?  

• Table of Content
• About Irish Aid
• The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme
• Requirements for The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Irish Aid

Irish Aid is the Irish Government’s programme for overseas development. The programme is managed by the Development Co-operation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The work we do in fighting global poverty and hunger is integral to Ireland’s foreign policy.  

The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme

Aim and Benefits of The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme

Ireland Fellows Programme awards are fully funded. The award includes the payment of academic
fees; visa application fees; medical and travel insurance; economy flights to and from Ireland; and
the Irish residence permit fee. Allowances include the following:

• A settling-in allowance towards items needed on arrival in Ireland;
• A completion and departure allowance at the end of the study period;
• A monthly living stipend of €700 (subject to review);
• Student accommodation arranged and paid for trimesters 1 and 2 (normally September to May), and in trimester 3 a monthly accommodation stipend of €800-€1000 depending on location in Ireland (subject to review).
• In addition, the Ireland Fellows Programme features many extracurricular, training and volunteering
  opportunities to help you make the most of your experience in Ireland.

Requirements for The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme Qualification

To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Seán MacBride Fellowship award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2026, applicants must: 

• Be a resident national of Namibia. 
• Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study. 
• Be working with the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the Ministry of Justice (including the Office of the Judiciary), the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Protection in Namibia. 
• 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 Sections C and D of 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. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for The Seán MacBride Fellowship Programme

The application process consists of three stages:

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

All applicants who are selected to progress after the second stage will be required to sit an online Duolingo English Test. If shortlisted after the interview stage, all applicants will be required to take another English language test, normally the IELTS exam, unless they are already in possession of an IELTS certificate that is dated 2024 or later which shows the applicant has achieved the necessary score for the course(s) they intend to apply to. Early preparation for the IELTS exam is strongly advised, even for native English speakers.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Irish Aid Fellowship webpage