Applications from Zambia for the 2027-2028 Ireland Fellows Programme are now open! 
The Ireland Fellows Programme offers early-to-mid career professionals from Zambia the opportunity to undertake a fully funded Master’s level programme at a higher education institution in Ireland.
For Zambian applicants the following application streams are available: 
Ireland-Africa Fellowship (IAFP): https://tinyurl.com/mv88n3fk
Frank Ferguson Fellowship: https://tinyurl.com/5n7bdkrm
Applications for the Frank Ferguson Fellowship are only open to members of the Engineering Institute of Zambia.
Applications are by invitation only. For more details on the institutions which qualify, please contact the Embassy of Ireland in Zambia via zambiafellowships@dfa.ie
Eligible countries:
Zambia
Eligible courses:
Applicants must select from the following list of courses offered by the University of Galway:
- MSc in Civil Engineering
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering
- MSc in Energy Systems Engineering
- MSc in Intelligent Robotics*
- MSc in Medical Electronics & Digital Health*
- MSc in Marine and Freshwater Resources: Management.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Frank Ferguson Fellowship award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027, applicants must:
- Be a resident national of Zambia.
- Have a minimum of three years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
- Be a member of the Engineering Institution of Zambia.
- Hold a Degree in Engineering or related discipline with Merit or higher from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution.
- Have achieved the necessary academic standard to be accepted onto a Master’s level programme of studying in Engineering at the University of Galway.
- 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 2026/27.
- Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2027.
- 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 two programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the list of engineering programmes at the University of Galway.
- 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 2027/2028.
In addition, please see the Ireland Fellows Programme Africa page.
The Fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support or visas for spouses or dependents are not included within the scope of the programme.
Applications
Please read the Applicant Guidance Note carefully before completing as eligibility criteria may differ from country to country.
The application process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Application
- Detailed Application
- Interviews.
English language requirements
Irish higher education institutions require a high standard of English language proficiency and this will be verified by English language testing. This is necessary for admission to all Irish HEIs, with no exceptions. English language tests are also required for visa applications.
If successful in stage 1, shortlisted applicants who do not yet have the English language certification required for their master’s programmes in Ireland will take the Duolingo English Test. This test is accepted by most higher education institutions in Ireland. However, if you are shortlisted as a candidate or reserve candidate, and your course or HEI does not accept DuoLingo, then you will be required to take an IELTS exam in January 2027.
Application documents
Directory of Eligible Postgraduate Programmes
Ireland Fellows Directory of Programmes 2027-2028
Stage 1 Guidance note
Ireland Fellows Programme Frank Ferguson 2027 / 2028 Stage 1 Guidance Note
Application form
Download Ireland Fellows Programme Frank Ferguson 2027 / 2028 Stage 1 Application Form Word format
Looking for more fully funded opportunities?
The Frank Ferguson Fellowship is just one of several elite global awards open to Zambian scholars this year. To compare this fellowship against other major funding options like Chevening, Commonwealth, and the Mastercard Foundation, explore our comprehensive flagship resource: Scholarships in Zambia: The Complete Guide.