African biosphere reserve professionals have a unique opportunity to enhance their expertise in land restoration through the AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Fellowships. This fully funded program, offered by GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme in Iceland, aims to build capacity in combating degraded ecosystems and promoting sustainable land management. The application deadline is September 15, 2025, for fellowships commencing in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Two fully funded fellowships are available for African biosphere reserve professionals.
- The program focuses on ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.
- It offers cutting-edge knowledge, practical tools, and an international network.
- The fellowship covers tuition, travel, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.
- Applications are due by September 15, 2025.
Program Overview
The GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT) in Iceland is providing two fully funded fellowships for 2026. These fellowships are designed for African biosphere reserve professionals actively involved in restoration activities. The program’s core objective is to equip participants with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and a global network to effectively address environmental challenges within their home countries.
This initiative directly supports practitioners working to restore degraded ecosystems that pose a threat to biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate stability. It aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) and UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme’s Strategic Action Plan.
Fellowship Details
The GRÓ LRT program, hosted at the Agricultural University of Iceland, will run from February 27 to August 27, 2026. The curriculum is a blend of academic coursework, intensive field training, and a personalized individual project. This project is developed in collaboration with the Fellow’s home institution to ensure its practical applicability upon their return. Upon successful completion, graduates will receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management, equivalent to 30 ECTS credits.
The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, including full tuition and academic expenses, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a monthly stipend to cover living costs. The program is structured into two main phases: the first 12 weeks involve courses, specialized training, and field visits across Iceland, followed by 12 weeks dedicated to the individual project.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Fellowships, candidates must meet several requirements:
- Hold a significant role in ecosystem restoration within a biosphere reserve.
- Possess at least one relevant university degree or substantial relevant professional experience.
- Have a minimum of one year of experience working within a biosphere reserve.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
- Be under 40 years of age.
Additionally, the candidate’s home institution must formally approve a six-month study leave, commit to maintaining the Fellow’s salary and benefits throughout the training period, and guarantee the Fellow’s return to their position upon completion of the fellowship.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online by the deadline of September 15, 2025. Required application materials include a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae (CV), an endorsement letter from the candidate’s biosphere reserve, and an endorsement from the national MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee. Applications will undergo a joint review by GRÓ LRT and the UNESCO MAB Secretariat. Only complete applications that satisfy all stipulated requirements will be considered for selection.
