Applications Invited for the AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2026

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About the Organization

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a specialized agency dedicated to strengthening our shared humanity through the promotion of education, science, culture, and communication.

We set standards, produce tools and develop knowledge to create solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time, and foster a world of greater equality and peace.

About the Fellowship

Hosted in a UNESCO Category 2 Centre in Iceland, the GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT) is offering two fully funded fellowships for African biosphere reserve professionals engaged in restoration activities.

Every year, the GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT) in Iceland brings together professionals from across the globe for an intensive six-month postgraduate-level course in ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management. Hosted at the Agricultural University of Iceland, the programme combines academic coursework, hands-on field training, and an individual project tailored to each participant’s professional needs.

In 2026, a minimum of two fully funded fellowships will be awarded to African biosphere reserve professionals actively engaged in restoration work. Fellows will gain cutting-edge knowledge, practical tools, and an international network to help them address environmental challenges in their home countries.

Benefits:

The 2026 programme runs from 27 February to 27 August 2026 and includes:

• Full tuition and academic expenses
• Round-trip travel
• Health insurance
• Monthly stipend for living costs

The first 12 weeks focus on courses, specialized training, and field visits across Iceland. The final 12 weeks are devoted to an individual project, designed in collaboration with the Fellow’s home institution to ensure direct application upon return. Graduates receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management (30 ECTS).

Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Hold a prominent role in ecosystem restoration within a biosphere reserve
• Have at least one relevant university degree (e.g. ecology, natural sciences, environmental management)
• Possess at least one year of experience in a biosphere reserve
• Be proficient in English
• Be under 40 years old
• In exceptional cases, extensive relevant experience may substitute for a degree.

The home institution must:

• Approve a six-month study leave
• Maintain the Fellow’s salary and benefits during training
• Guarantee the Fellow’s return to their position

How to Apply

Submit the following until 15 September 2025 via the online form:

• Letter of motivation
• CV
• Endorsement from your biosphere reserve
• Endorsement from your national MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee

Applications will be reviewed by GRÓ LRT and the UNESCO MAB Secretariat. Only complete applications meeting all requirements will be considered.

For more information please check the Link

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