AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2027 in Iceland (Fully Funded)

Professionals working in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves across Africa can now apply for the AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2027. The fully funded fellowship is jointly offered by UNESCO AfriMAB and Iceland's GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT) to strengthen the capacity of ecosystem restoration professionals across the continent.

The six-month fellowship will take place at the Agricultural University of Iceland from 26 February 2027. Participants will receive advanced postgraduate training in land restoration and sustainable land management while working on an individual restoration project designed to address the needs of their home institution.

The programme covers tuition, international travel, health insurance, living expenses, and academic costs, making it an excellent opportunity for professionals committed to restoring degraded ecosystems in Africa.

Host Organization: UNESCO AfriMAB in partnership with the GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT)

Programme Type: Fully Funded Fellowship

Programme Duration: Six months (26 February 2027 - August 2027)

Funding: Fully Funded

Eligible Applicants: Professionals working in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves across Africa

Location: Agricultural University of Iceland, Iceland

Application Deadline: 10 September 2026

The fellowship is part of the collaboration between UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme, which provides postgraduate training for specialists from low- and middle-income countries working in land restoration and sustainable land management.

The six-month programme combines classroom instruction, practical field training, field excursions, and an independent restoration project.

During the programme:

• The first 12 weeks focus on coursework, practical training, and field trips.
• The final 12 weeks are dedicated to an individual research or restoration project related to the participant's professional work.

• Fellows who successfully complete the programme receive 30 ECTS postgraduate credits from the Agricultural University of Iceland together with a GRÓ LRT Diploma.

  The programme also supports UNESCO's ecosystem restoration priorities under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Full tuition and academic expenses
• International return airfare
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Monthly living stipend throughout the programme
• Six months of postgraduate training in Iceland
• Practical field training and restoration experience
• 30 ECTS postgraduate university credits
• GRÓ LRT Postgraduate Diploma
• International networking opportunities with restoration professionals

Applicants must:

• Be working in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Africa.
• Be under 40 years of age.
• Have at least one year of relevant professional experience working in a biosphere reserve.
• Hold at least one university degree in a relevant field such as:

Ecology

Environmental Management

Environmental Studies

Natural Sciences

Land Restoration

Or related disciplines

• Demonstrate good English language proficiency (speaking, reading, and writing).

In exceptional cases, applicants without the required academic qualification may still be considered if they possess extensive professional experience in ecosystem restoration.

The applicant's employer or institution must agree to:

• Grant full study leave for the six-month fellowship.
• Continue paying the participant's salary and employment benefits throughout the programme.
• Reinstate the participant to their position after completing the fellowship.

Applicants must submit the following documents in PDF format:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of endorsement from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where they work
• Letter of endorsement from the National MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee
• Academic certificates

Only complete applications submitted with all required documents will be considered.

The fellowship combines academic learning with practical restoration experience.

Participants will:

• Complete intensive postgraduate coursework.
• Participate in practical field training and site visits.
• Develop an individual restoration project relevant to their home institution.
• Build professional networks with restoration experts and other fellows from across Africa.

Interested applicants should complete the official online application form before the deadline.

Applications must include all required supporting documents in PDF format.

10 September 2026