The Government of Ireland, through the Irish Government’s Programme for Overseas Development (Irish Aid), has announced the 2020/21 Call for Ireland-SIDS Fellows Programme. The scholarship is open to nationals from select OECS Member States who are interested in Master's level studies relevant to addressing climate change, the blue economy and associated challenges.

The aims of the Programme are to nurture future SIDS leaders, women and men; to develop in-country capacity to address climate change and its associated challenges, and to build positive relationships between Ireland and SIDS. On return home, graduates are expected to bring their acquired skills to contribute to capacity building in their home countries.  It is also envisaged that they will contribute to building enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages.

Target Group

The Programme enables early to mid-career professional women and men, with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building. It offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded one-year Master's level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. 

Scholarship Benefits

The award covers:

• course fees
• flights
• accommodation, and
• living costs

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible countries in the Caribbean region include Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Cuba, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.
• Have a minimum of three years’ relevant experience (this can include internships and volunteering positions). 
• Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognized higher education institution, with a first-class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (in some cases a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted).
• Not already hold a qualification at Masters level or higher.
• Be applying to commence a new course at Masters level in Ireland no sooner than August/September 2020 (see eligible courses).
• Be able to demonstrate leadership abilities and aspirations, as well as a commitment to addressing climate change and its associated challenges within their own country.
• Have identified and selected two relevant courses from the directory of eligible courses.
• Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for the courses chosen.
• Be in a position to take up the scholarship in the academic year 2020/2021.

Application deadline

Applications for the scholarships are now open on the Fellowships website: https://www.irishaidfellowships.ie/strands/ireland-sids-fellows-programme. Applications close on 31 January 2020.