Ireland Fellows Programme — Latin America 2027-28: Fully Funded Master’s in Ireland

Full academic fees, economy flights, visa costs, medical insurance, a €700/month stipend, and accommodation — for professionals from 13 Latin American countries studying in Ireland.

The Ireland Fellows Programme is the Government of Ireland’s flagship fellowship. The 2027-28 round closed July 26, 2026 — but the next cycle opens ~July 2027. If you’re from an eligible country, this is your preparation window.

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Scholarship	Ireland Fellows Programme — Latin America
Funded by	Government of Ireland (Irish Aid)
Level	Master’s
Value	Full fees + €700/month stipend + accommodation + flights
Awards	Varies by route/year
Duration	Duration of Master’s program
Eligibility	Professionals from 13 Latin American countries
Coverage	Fees, flights, visa, insurance, stipend, accommodation
Application Route	Online application (annual cycle)
Deadline	Next cycle ~July 2027
Website	irelandfellowships.ie

—

What the Fellowship Covers

A complete package for a year or two of Master’s study in Ireland.

Fees and Travel

• Full academic fees: covered

• Economy flights: to and from Ireland

• Visa costs and residence permit fee: covered

• Medical and travel insurance: covered

Living Support

• Monthly stipend of €700: living allowance

• Accommodation: provided in trimesters 1-2

• €800-1,000/month accommodation stipend in trimester 3

Three Routes

• Central America Award: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

• Roger Casement Award in Human Rights: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

• Cecilia Grierson Award in Equality/STEMM: Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay

What it does NOT cover:

• Dependents’ costs

• Personal expenses beyond the stipend and accommodation

—

Eligibility Requirements

1. Citizenship

• Citizen of one of the 13 eligible Latin American countries

• Route-specific: Central America (5), Roger Casement (5), Cecilia Grierson (3)

2. Professional Background

• Designed for professionals with work experience

• Relevant background in the award’s focus area (human rights for Casement; equality/STEMM for Grierson)

3. Academic Standing

• Strong academic record

• Meets Irish university admission requirements

4. Commitment to Return

• Commitment to return home and contribute to development

—

Application Process

Timeline: Annual cycle. 2027-28 closed July 26, 2026. Next cycle ~July 2027.

Step 1: Identify Your Route (Now)

• Determine which award fits: Central America, Roger Casement (Human Rights), or Cecilia Grierson (Equality/STEMM)

• Confirm your country is on the list

Step 2: Prepare (Now-June 2027)

• Academic transcripts, CV, references

• Statement of purpose aligned with the award’s focus

• Research Irish universities and eligible Master’s programs

Step 3: Apply (Next Cycle ~July 2027)

• Submit the online application when the window opens

• Deadline: ~July 2027 (verify when announced)

Step 4: Selection and Admission

• Stage 1 shortlisting, then admission to Irish universities

• Award confirmation follows

—

Selection Criteria

Professionals with development potential in each route’s focus area.

1. Professional Experience

• Relevant work experience in the award’s field

• The programme funds practitioners, not just students

2. Academic Merit

• Strong academic record and program fit

3. Development Commitment

• Credible plan to apply the degree in your home country

4. Route Alignment

• Casement: human rights commitment

• Grierson: equality/STEMM background

—

Ireland Fellows vs. Other Latin America Routes

Scholarship	Country	Coverage	Deadline
Ireland Fellows	Ireland	Full fees + €700/mo + accommodation	~Jul 2027
ICETEX (Colombia)	Colombia	100% tuition + living	~Mar-Jun 2027
PEC-G (Brazil)	Brazil	Tuition-free UG	~mid-2027

Ireland advantages:

• Complete package including accommodation and stipend

• English-speaking destination with strong universities

Choose ICETEX if: you want to study in Latin America itself. Choose PEC-G if: you’re targeting undergraduate study in Brazil.

—

Common Mistakes

1. Missing the Annual Window

Mistake: Applying outside the cycle.
Fix: The programme runs one cycle per year — 2027-28 closed July 26, 2026. Next window ~July 2027. Prepare now.

2. Applying to the Wrong Route

Mistake: Ignoring country-route alignment.
Fix: Each route has specific countries and focus areas. Apply only to your match.

3. Preparing a Generic Statement

Mistake: Writing a standard “why this Master’s” essay.
Fix: Align your statement with the award’s focus (human rights or equality/STEMM) and your development plan.

4. Underestimating the Professional Requirement

Mistake: Applying as a fresh graduate.
Fix: This is a professional fellowship. Build and document relevant work experience first.

5. Waiting for the Announcement

Mistake: Doing nothing until July 2027.
Fix: Research programs, prepare documents, and identify referees in the months before the window opens.

—

Should You Apply?

Yes, if:

• You’re a citizen of one of the 13 eligible countries

• You have professional experience in the award’s focus area

• You can commit to returning home after the degree

Realistic expectations:

• Competitive and route-specific — alignment with the award’s focus matters

• The annual cycle means one chance per year; preparation is everything

Worth applying:

• A fully funded Master’s in Ireland with stipend and accommodation

• Irish Aid’s network adds long-term development-career value

—

Strategy Tips

1. Prepare a Year Ahead

The window is ~July 2027. Use the next 12 months to strengthen your profile, experience, and program list.

2. Align With the Route’s Focus

Human rights for Casement; equality/STEMM for Grierson. Show genuine depth, not just interest.

3. Research Irish Universities Now

Identify eligible Master’s programs that fit your field. Admission is part of the process.

4. Document Professional Impact

Quantify your work: projects, outcomes, communities served.

5. Line Up References Early

Strong referees who know your professional work matter in a development-fellowship selection.

—

Next Steps

1. Now: Confirm your route (Central America, Casement, or Grierson) and country eligibility

2. This year: Strengthen professional experience and research Irish programs

3. Early 2027: Prepare transcripts, references, and statement drafts

4. ~July 2027: Apply when the next cycle opens

5. On award: Complete admission and prepare for Ireland

Full fees, €700/month, accommodation, and flights — for professionals from 13 Latin American countries. The 2027-28 round just closed, but the next window is ~July 2027. Use the year to prepare.

—

Related: Colombia Government Scholarship (ICETEX) 2027 · PEC-G Brazil 2027 · KU Leuven Scholarship for Central & South America · Commonwealth Scholarships 2026-27