Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme South Africa 2026/ 2027

 

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP PROVIDER – KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP

The Irish Aid Kader Asmal Scholarship was created in the honour of late Professor Kader Asmal, who taught law and specialised in labour; human rights and international law at the Trinity College Dublin for 27 years. Professor Asmal also co-founded the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement and was part of the ANC team who negotiated the transition to democracy.

The aim of the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is to allow for South Africans with leadership potential, to pursue relevant postgraduate studies in Irish higher education institutions, as well as to build positive relationships between Ireland and Africa.
 

ABOUT THE KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED & COVERAGE VALUE

The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, is inviting students to apply for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme, for the 2026/ 2027 academic year. The fully-funded scholarship programme is managed by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is for South African students to pursue Master’s level studies, in Ireland’s top-rated Higher Education Institutions.

The fellowship programme has two strands:
1) 12 annual awards for Postgraduate Study in the following areas:

  • Business, Economics, Project Management, Strategic Management, Leadership and related
  • Climate Change & Resilience, Environment, Marine, Sustainable Development, GIS
  • Development Studies, Human Rights, Peace Studies, International Relations, Politics, Public Policy
  • Education
  • Engineering and Sustainable Technology
  • Food Science, Food Engineering and Food Industry
  • Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology and related
  • Information Systems, Communications Technology, Digital Media
  • International Law, Human Rights Law, Business Law
  • Sociology, Social Policy, Social Research and related
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Women’s Studies, Gender Studies and Equality Studies

2) 2 annual awards for a fellowship in Human Rights Law at Trinity College Dublin
Master’s degree in Human Rights Law, specifically the LL.M (International and Comparative Law) at the prestigious Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. To be selected by the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC).

See which courses are covered here: Directory of Programmes/ eligible courses (.pdf).
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

ABOUT THE KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED

The fellowships will provide cover for the following expenses: student visitor visa application fee,
university application fees, tuition fees, examination fees, economy travel to and from your country of residence to Ireland, allowance for settling in, accommodation, book allowance, study allowance and a monthly personal living allowance/ stipend for other living expense.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • You must be a resident national of South Africa
  • You must have completed an Honours’ level qualification within the last 12 years (2014 or later)
  • You must have achieved a minimum 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)
  • You must have completed your Honours’ qualification at an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution
  • You must NOT have completed a Master’s or higher level qualification
  • You must be applying to study towards a Master’s level qualification in Ireland, starting after August/ September 2026
  • You must have chosen 2 relevant courses from the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme Directory of Eligible Courses (from the list above)
  • You must have at least 2 years of relevant working experience that is relevant to your course of study (this may include internships and volunteering positions, see page 6 of the guidelines for more information)
  • You must showcase leadership abilities and aspirations
  • You must showcase commitment to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals within your own country
  • You must understand the academic and English language proficiencies required for your courses (see guidelines above for more information)
  • You must NOT have applied for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme more than once previously

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP

Applications must be submitted online at: Kader Asmal Fellowship Application 2026/ 2027

You will be required to register an account before you can login and apply.

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Kader Asmal Fellowship.

Applicants must read the Kader Asmal Fellowship Guidelines (.pdf) before applying.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

  • Passport identity page/ ID document if you do not have passport yet
  • Undergraduate degree award certificate
  • Final degree academic transcripts (and an explanation of the grading system, where provided with your transcript or otherwise available)

 

SELECTION FOR THE KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP

Candidates will be contacted by Canon Collins Trust once final decisions have been made and informed whether you have been successful or unsuccessful at Stage 1. Please do not otherwise contact the Irish Embassy during this period.
 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE KADER ASMAL FELLOWSHIP

25 July 2025 (at 15:00 GMT/ BST – 17:00 South African time).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Canon Collins Trust directly:
Email: fellowships@canoncollins.org.uk
Tel: 010 500 2303
 

Please do NOT contact the Canon Collins Trust or the Irish Embassy if this scholarship has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in July 2025.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.