The GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT) in Iceland is giving two full scholarships in 2026 to African professionals working in biosphere reserves.
The AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships are for people who are already doing work to restore land and nature.
The goal is to help these professionals learn new skills, get practical tools, and connect with an international network so they can tackle environmental problems back home.
The training is for people who are fighting against damaged land and ecosystems that harm wildlife, people’s livelihoods, and the climate. It supports the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and UNESCO’s work in biosphere reserves.
Timelines
Applications are accepted till September 30, 2025. The programme will run from 27 February to 27 August 2026 at the Agricultural University of Iceland.
It includes classroom lessons, hands-on field training, and a special project designed for each Fellow to apply their learning in their home country.
Benefits
- When you finish, you will get a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management, equal to 30 university credits.
- The scholarship pays for everything: tuition, academic costs, round-trip travel, health insurance, and a monthly living allowance.
- The first 12 weeks focus on courses, training, and field trips in Iceland. The last 12 weeks are for your personal project.
To apply, you must:
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Work in a biosphere reserve on ecosystem restoration
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Have at least one university degree or a lot of experience in this work
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Have worked in a biosphere reserve for at least one year
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Be fluent in English
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Be under 40 years old
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Your workplace must agree to give you 6 months off, keep paying your salary and benefits, and guarantee you will return to your job after the training.
Application requirements
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A motivation letter
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Your CV
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A letter from your biosphere reserve
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A letter from your country’s MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee
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The GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme in Iceland is offering two full scholarships for African professionals in biosphere reserves in 2026, through the AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships.
This initiative aims to equip individuals with new skills, practical tools, and international networking opportunities to address environmental issues in their countries.
The programme supports UN's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and UNESCO's biosphere reserves work.
Applications are open until September 30, 2025, with the programme running from February 27 to August 27, 2026, at the Agricultural University of Iceland.
It combines classroom learning, field training, and the application of these skills through a personal project.
Scholarships cover tuition, travel, health insurance, and provide a living allowance, culminating in a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management.
Eligibility requires applicants to work in a biosphere reserve, possess a minimum of one university degree or substantial experience, have worked in a reserve for at least a year, be under 40, and have their workplace's support to take six months off while ensuring job reinstatement.
Necessary documents include a motivation letter, CV, letters from the biosphere reserve, and from the country's MAB Focal Point or Committee.
