The Irish Government 2027/2028 Frank Ferguson Fellowship in Engineering for young Zambians (Fully Funded Study in Ireland)

Application Deadline: July 26, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 Irish Government Frank Ferguson Fellowship in Engineering. The aims of the programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals and to build positive relationships with Ireland.

Eligible countries: 

Zambia

Eligible courses: 

Applicants must select from the following list of courses offered by the University of Galway:

1. Master of Civil Engineering (MENG-MEC)
2. ME in Energy Systems Engineering (MENG-MEES)
3. MSc in Mechanical Engineering (MSC-MSME)
4. ME in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (MENG-MEEE)
5. MSc in Marine and Freshwater Resources: Management (MSC-MFR)

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.

Benefits

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.

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:

1. Preliminary Application
2. Detailed Application
3. 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.

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

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Irish Government 2027/2028 Frank Ferguson Fellowship in Engineering