Courtney Fellowship for Burundian Students in Ireland 2026/2027

The Courtney Fellowship 2026/2027 was set up in 2026 to commemorate the late Archbishop Michael Courtney, the Irish-born Papal Nuncio to Burundi, who was murdered in 2026. Each year it provides sponsorship for a student from Burundi to study in Ireland for the MPhil in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin.

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Programme aligns with the Irish Government’s commitments under Global Ireland and the national implementation plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, and Global Citizens 2030 Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy, as well as Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2026; Global Ireland: Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region; Ireland’s Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States; and Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2026. The programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries. Programme implementation in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).

Benefits of Courtney Fellowship 2026/2027

• The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs.

Eligibility for Courtney Fellowship 2026/2027

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

• Be a resident national of Burundi.
• Have a minimum of three years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
• 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 2026 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 2026/25.
• 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 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.

Application

Read the Applicant Guidance Note carefully before completing as eligibility criteria may differ from country to country.

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 2026 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.