The Ireland Fellows Programme, Courtney Fellowship is a fully funded master’s opportunity for professionals from Burundi who want to study in Ireland and return home ready to lead. It is financed by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Foreign Affairs, with implementation support inside Ireland provided by ICOS.
The programme is built around three goals: nurturing the next generation of leaders, strengthening in-country capacity to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and building lasting, positive ties with Ireland. If you are a mid-career Burundian professional with a strong academic record and a clear sense of how a master’s degree fits your goals, this is a rare, cost-free route to postgraduate study abroad.
The award covers your tuition and includes a living stipend, and successful Fellows join a global alumni network, a valuable long-term asset for anyone building a career tied to development and public impact.
Scholarship benefits
- Fully funded tuition for a master’s programme in Ireland
- A living stipend to support you during your studies
- Membership of a global alumni network
Eligibility checklist
✔ You are a resident national of Burundi.
✔ You have at least three years of substantial work experience directly relevant to your proposed programme of study.
✔ You hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, government-recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (first class honours, or second class honours Grade 1; second class honours Grade 2 may be accepted with substantial directly relevant work experience).
✔ Your bachelor’s degree was awarded in 2014 or later (within the last 12 years).
✔ You do not already hold a master’s-level qualification or higher, and are not currently doing or due to start in 2026/27 a master’s or higher programme.
✔ You are applying to begin a new master’s programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2027.
✔ You can demonstrate leadership ability and ambition, commitment to the SDGs in Burundi, and commitment to building positive relationships with Ireland.
✔ You clearly understand the academic and English-language requirements of the programmes you choose.
✔ You have not previously applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme more than once.
✔ You are able to take up the Fellowship in the 2027/2028 academic year.
Application tips for African students
- Plan your English test early. The programme expects you to understand the English-language requirements of your chosen courses. Book IELTS or TOEFL well ahead so you have results and time to retake before deadlines.
- Get your transcripts and degree certificate ready and certified. You’ll need to prove your GPA and that your degree was awarded in 2014 or later; arrange certified copies (and translations if needed) before you start.
- Make your work experience count. This fellowship rewards relevance. Spell out how your three-plus years of experience connect directly to the master’s you want to study.
- Write a focused statement. Tie your career, your programme choice, and Burundi’s SDG priorities into one clear story of leadership and impact this is exactly what the selectors are looking for.
- Line up strong recommenders now. Choose people who can speak to your leadership and professional impact, and give them plenty of notice.
- Start the preliminary application early. With three stages to clear, leave room for the detailed application and interview rather than rushing at the July 26, 2026 deadline.
How to apply
Applications run through three stages: a preliminary application, a detailed application, and interviews. Confirm the exact steps, required documents and course eligibility on the official page before you begin, and submit ahead of the July 26, 2026 deadline. Full details are available on the official website: Ireland Fellows – Michael Courtney.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Courtney Fellowship?
It is open to resident nationals of Burundi who have at least three years of relevant work experience and a qualifying bachelor’s degree, and who do not already hold a master’s-level qualification.
What does the fellowship cover?
It is fully funded: tuition is covered, a living stipend is included, and Fellows gain access to a global alumni network.
When would studies begin?
You must be applying to start a new master’s programme in Ireland no sooner than August 2027, and be ready to take up the Fellowship in the 2027/2028 academic year.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is July 26, 2026.
Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree?
No. You cannot already hold a master’s-level qualification or higher, nor be currently enrolled in — or due to start one in 2026/27.
How many times can I apply?
You must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.