The REFOREST Africa Scholarships Programme is inviting applications for 20 fully funded scholarships in Forest Sciences for candidates from Eastern and Southern Africa. The programme is scheduled to commence in April/May 2026 and aims to strengthen advanced forestry research and doctoral-level training across the region.

The initiative is coordinated by the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania, with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). It is designed to develop highly skilled researchers capable of addressing complex challenges related to forests, climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable land management.

Programme Focus Areas

Applicants are expected to propose research aligned with one of the following thematic areas:

• Commercial forestry and the bio-economy

• Sustainable natural forest management

• Agroforestry systems

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation

• Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management

Proposals that do not clearly fit within these themes may not be considered.

Partner Institutions

The programme is implemented in collaboration with leading regional and international universities, including:

• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden)

• Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique)

• National University of Rwanda (Rwanda)

• Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University (Ethiopia)

• Makerere University (Uganda)

These partnerships support joint supervision, academic quality, and international research exposure.

Structure of the PhD Programme

• Year 1: Coursework at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

• Years 2–4: Research phase, primarily conducted in the candidate’s home country

Doctoral candidates are expected to publish in peer-reviewed international journals and successfully defend their thesis before graduation. Each student is supported by a joint supervisory team drawn from SUA, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and a partner university in the student’s home country.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: 25 January 2026

• Programme start: April/May 2026