The 2026 UNESCO AfriMAB–GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships are now open for applications, offering an exceptional opportunity for African professionals working in biosphere reserves to enhance their expertise in ecological restoration. This initiative, hosted at a UNESCO Category 2 Centre in Iceland, is part of the renowned GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT), which will award two fully funded places to eligible participants dedicated to restoration efforts.

Each year, the GRÓ LRT programme brings together specialists from various parts of the world for an immersive six-month postgraduate-level training in sustainable land management and the recovery of degraded ecosystems. Based at the Agricultural University of Iceland, the fellowship blends classroom instruction with extensive fieldwork and a customised research project, ensuring that every participant’s professional context and goals are directly addressed.

For the 2026 intake, a minimum of two African professionals with active roles in biosphere reserve restoration will be selected. Those chosen will gain advanced knowledge, practical restoration skills, and access to a global network of peers and experts, equipping them to tackle environmental challenges more effectively in their home regions.

Applicants should be actively involved in managing restoration activities within a biosphere reserve, hold a relevant academic qualification in fields such as ecology, natural sciences, or environmental management, and have at least one year of direct work experience in a biosphere reserve. Proficiency in English and an age of under 40 are also expected, though substantial practical experience may be considered in place of formal education in exceptional cases. Candidates’ employers must agree to grant a six-month study leave, continue paying their salary and benefits during the fellowship, and guarantee their reinstatement upon completion.

The programme will run from 27 February to 27 August 2026. Fellows will receive full coverage of tuition fees, travel to and from Iceland, health insurance, and a monthly stipend to cover living expenses. The first three months are dedicated to academic courses, specialised technical training, and site visits across Iceland. The latter part focuses on an individual project developed in collaboration with the participant’s home institution, ensuring that the acquired knowledge and skills are immediately applicable. Graduates will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management, equivalent to 30 ECTS credits.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity