Apply for UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2027 – Fully Funded to Iceland for Professionals from African Biosphere Reserves

Application Deadline: September 10, 2026

About the Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2027 UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowships. Applications are now open for the 2027 AfriMAB GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships, offering fully funded places for professionals from African biosphere reserves engaged in ecosystem restoration. Selected candidates will spend six months, from 26 February 2027, at the Agricultural University of Iceland, combining coursework with an individual restoration project tailored to their home institution’s needs, before returning to their posts with a postgraduate diploma and university credits. The GRÓ LRT programme is a capacity-building initiative that focuses on land restoration, sustainable land use, and ecosystem management. The fellowship is offered in partnership with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the AfriMAB network, which promotes sustainable development in African biosphere reserves.

Programme Structure

The GRÓ LRT programme runs an annual six-month training in Iceland, hosted at the Agricultural University of Iceland:

• First 12 weeks: Focus on coursework, introductory and specialized alongside practical training and field trips
• Following 12 weeks: Each Fellow develops an individual project tailored to their academic background and the needs of their home institution

Fellows who complete the training receive 30 ECTS at postgraduate level from the Agricultural University of Iceland, as well as a GRÓ LRT diploma. In this context, GRÓ LRT offers to train at least two fellows from African biosphere reserves engaged in restoration activities in its 2027 cohort.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should hold a prominent role in ecosystem restoration activity within a biosphere reserve, and hold at least one university degree relevant to GRÓ LRT’s field of work, such as ecology, natural sciences, environmental management or studies, and related disciplines.

Candidates must:

• Have at least one year of relevant experience working in a biosphere reserve
• Be able to communicate in English (speak, read, and write), the working language of GRÓ LRT
• Be under the age of 40

In some cases, GRÓ LRT has accepted candidates who do not fulfil the education requirement but bring extensive working experience in a relevant area.

Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship is fully funded, covering:

• Tuition and academic expenses
• Travel costs
• Health insurance
• A full living stipend covering all living expenses during the six-month stay in Iceland

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. A letter of motivation
2. A CV
3. A letter of endorsement from the biosphere reserve where they work
4. A letter of endorsement from the national MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee in their country
5. Certificates of academic achievement

All documents must be uploaded in PDF form as attachments via the online application form.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated jointly by GRÓ LRT and the MAB Secretariat. Only complete applications meeting the stated requirements will be considered.

How to Apply

Application Link: Click here

For More Information: Visit the Official GRÓ LRT Website