The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Irish Government invites Ugandan prospective master’s candidates to apply for the 2014-2015 Postgraduate/Masters Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme (IAFTP) for Ugandans
The programme, administered by Irish Aid, is a key element in supporting capacity building in developing countries. The programme has in recent years become more closely aligned with the poverty reduction strategies of the partner countries.
Program Objective
- The objective of the IAFTP is to strengthen capacity of the development partner organisations benefiting from Irish Aid support, through the provision of higher education opportunities.
- The programme aims to address capacity deficits that hinder the attainment of long-term development goals through the training and development of key individuals, generally drawn from the public services, NGO sectors and Private Sector.
- In doing so, it is anticipated that the programme will contribute to increased access to specialist knowledge which we believe will greatly contribute to the long-term development goals in Uganda.
- The main priority areas for support under this programme are education, HIV/AIDS, governance, gender, vulnerability & social protection issues, trade & economic opportunities and support to Civil Society Organisations.
Worth of Awards: Successful applicants will be communicated the value of the scholarship
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, applicants must:
- be a citizen of Uganda.
- Be currently employed by an Irish Aid partner organisation and nominated by that organisation to apply.
- Have achieved the necessary academic standard to be accepted onto a postgraduate diploma or masters course in an institute of higher education in Ireland or within their own region.
- Have a minimum of three years relevant employment experience. Candidates with less than the three years relevant employment experience will not be considered for a fellowship.
- Be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of their home country.
- Have identifies relevant college courses in an institute of higher education in Ireland or within their own region.
- Be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for a course they have already commenced or which will begin before fellowship awards have been notified.
- Be able to take up the fellowship in the academic year applied for.
- provide a letter from their employer granting study leave for the duration of the fellowship and guaranteeing that they will be able to return to an equivalent position in the organisation at the end of the fellowship period
- Fellowships are targeted at mid-career professionals who on completion of the programme are committed to returning home to resume work and put their acquired skills into practice for the benefit of the organisation and the wider community.
- Only candidates nominated by an Irish Aid partner organisation invited to participate in the scheme are eligible to apply. The average age of successful candidates is 35 years.
How to Apply
- Applicants must download the 2014/2015 IAFTP Application form (see link below), and ensure they read the accompanying notes carefully before completing any of the sections.
- Applications must be made both for the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme and the chosen course. These are separate application processes.
- Applications are not received directly from individual applicants. However, host organisation might request that their staff submit to them their application form in advance of the deadline so that they can meet the above deadline.
Course Application
- Applicants must submit their course application directly to the college or academic department in question and not to Irish Aid.
- For more details on the course choice and application, see detailed instructions on their website (see link below)
For further information about the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme, all applicants are to contact the Fellowship Officer of the Embassy of Ireland on Tel: +256 41 7713000 / 117 or by Email on [email protected]
Deadline: The deadline for receipt of applications to the Embassy of Ireland from partner organizations is December 31, 2013;
Click here for more details and to apply online