Applications Open for the 2026 AfriMAB–GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships: Fully Funded
Professionals working in African biosphere reserves now have the opportunity to apply for the 2026 AfriMAB–GRÓ Land Restoration Training (LRT) Fellowships. Hosted at the GRÓ LRT, a UNESCO Category 2 Centre located at the Agricultural University of Iceland, this prestigious program offers two fully funded fellowships for African restoration practitioners to undertake an intensive six-month postgraduate-level training in ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.
This initiative is jointly supported by GRÓ LRT and UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, with a strong focus on strengthening institutional and human capacities within biosphere reserves across Africa.
Why This Fellowship Matters Now
The urgency of environmental restoration has never been more pressing. Across the African continent and globally, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change are threatening livelihoods, food security, and ecological balance. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) has placed a spotlight on restoration as a global priority for sustainable development.
Within this context, the AfriMAB–GRÓ LRT Fellowship directly supports capacity-building in line with UNESCO’s MAB Programme objectives. Restoration will be a key focus area in MAB’s forthcoming Strategic Action Plan, to be launched at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China, in September 2025. These fellowships aim to empower individuals who are on the frontlines of restoration, equipping them with the scientific tools, global insights, and collaborative networks needed to effect real change at home.
What the Fellowship Offers
The 2026 GRÓ LRT programme will run from 27 February to 27 August 2026, and includes:
- Full tuition and academic materials
- Round-trip international airfare
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of the training
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses in Iceland
The training consists of two integrated phases:
- Academic and Field Training (12 weeks): Fellows participate in structured courses, workshops, and field excursions across Iceland, focused on restoration ecology, land degradation processes, sustainable land use, project design, and monitoring techniques.
- Individual Project (12 weeks): Each participant undertakes a professional project aligned with the priorities of their home biosphere reserve. This project is developed in collaboration with both GRÓ LRT mentors and the Fellow’s institution to ensure immediate applicability upon return.
Graduates are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management (30 ECTS credits) upon successful completion.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, candidates must:
- Be actively engaged in restoration work within an African biosphere reserve
- Hold a relevant university degree (e.g., in ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, or similar fields)
- Have at least one year of experience working in a biosphere reserve
- Demonstrate proficiency in English
- Be under the age of 40 at the time of application
In exceptional cases, substantial professional experience in ecosystem restoration may be accepted in lieu of a formal academic degree.
In addition, the candidate’s home institution must:
- Approve a six-month study leave
- Maintain the Fellow’s salary and benefits throughout the training period
- Guarantee the Fellow’s return to their position after completion
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted by 15 September 2025 through the official online application portal.
Required documents include:
- A letter of motivation outlining the applicant’s interest and objectives
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A formal endorsement letter from the applicant’s biosphere reserve
- A recommendation from the national MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee
Only complete applications that meet all eligibility criteria will be reviewed. Selection will be jointly conducted by GRÓ LRT and the UNESCO MAB Secretariat.
Empowering Change Through Education
The impact of the AfriMAB–GRÓ LRT Fellowship is already evident in the work of its past participants. In 2024, Dominic Awukuvie from Bia Biosphere Reserve (Ghana) and Uhunwa Precious Igho-Osagie from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria/Omo Biosphere Reserve were selected as fellows, joining a growing community of African professionals dedicated to environmental restoration.
One notable alumnus, Leonard Gondwe from Mulanje Mountain Biosphere Reserve (Malawi), recalls his 2022 experience with pride. Having led the planting of over 300,000 seedlings of the endangered Mulanje cedar, Leonard credits the program with motivating him to pursue advanced studies and emerge as a restoration ecology expert.
Call to Action
The 2026 AfriMAB–GRÓ LRT Fellowships offer a rare and valuable opportunity for African biosphere reserve professionals to gain world-class training, engage in meaningful knowledge exchange, and return home better equipped to restore and protect vital ecosystems.
Interested candidates are encouraged to begin preparing their applications early and consult with their institutions and national MAB Focal Points for support.
