Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming T.D., met with Fellows taking part in the Latin America strand of the Ireland Fellows Programme at the Orientation Day on 22 September 2023. [Photo credit: ICOS].
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming T.D., met with Fellows taking part in the Latin America strand of the Ireland Fellows Programme at the Orientation Day on 22 September 2023. [Photo credit: ICOS].
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming T.D., met with Fellows taking part in the Latin America strand of the Ireland Fellows Programme at the Orientation Day on 22 September 2023. [Photo credit: ICOS].

Minister Fleming meets Ireland's Fellows

The Department of Foreign Affairs is delighted to welcome the first-ever Fellows taking part in the Ireland Fellows Programme - Latin America for the academic year 2023-2024. 

The Ireland Fellows Programme enables early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, 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. 

The aims of the Programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals; and to build positive relationships with Ireland. The Programme is intended to support graduates on their return home, through the skills they develop, to contribute to capacity building in their home countries and to become one of the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. It is also envisaged that they will contribute to building enduring positive personal and professional relationships with Ireland, promoting institutional linkages.

This year, we welcome the first Fellows from Latin America, specifically from; Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. Under the Latin America strand of the Programme, the following Fellowships are available: 

  • Roger Casement Award in Human Rights: This award was established to honour the memory of the Irish human rights activist Roger Casement, who served as British Consul-General in Brazil in the early twentieth century. Roger Casement was instrumental in shedding light on human rights abuses in the Amazon region. Applicants in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela can apply for this award.
  • Cecilia Grierson Award in Equality: This award was established to honour the memory of Cecilia Grierson, who was an Irish-Argentine activist, pioneering medical practitioner, and the first woman in Argentina to qualify as a doctor. It has a focus on STEMM subjects. Applicants in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay can apply for this award.

We are pleased that the Latin America strand will expand for academic year 2024-2025 to include an additional Fellowship: 

  • Central America Award: Applicants in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras can apply for this award.
A welcome reception was held for the Latin America Fellows in Iveagh House on 16 October 2023.
A welcome reception was held for the Latin America Fellows in Iveagh House on 16 October 2023.

The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government and administered by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) and aligns with Ireland's commitment to support education and development under our Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Minister of State Fleming met with the Latin America Fellows at an Orientation Day facilitated by ICOS on 22 September 2023. In addition, the Latin America Caribbean Unit was delighted to welcome the Latin America Fellows to a welcome reception in Iveagh House on 16 November 2023.