Who can apply
- Professionals working in African UNESCO biosphere reserves
- Applicants holding a prominent role in ecosystem-restoration activities
- Applicants with at least one year of relevant experience working in a biosphere reserve
- Applicants under 40 years of age
- Professionals able to speak, read and write English
- Applicants holding a relevant university degree
- Experienced professionals without the standard academic qualification may be considered exceptionally
Focus areas
- Restoration of degraded land
- Ecosystem restoration
- Sustainable land management
- Biosphere-reserve conservation
- Ecology and natural-resource management
- Environmental management
- Community-based restoration
- Institutional restoration planning
- Applied land-restoration research
Requirements
- Be under 40 years of age
- Have at least one year of relevant experience within a biosphere reserve
- Hold a relevant university degree in ecology, natural sciences, environmental management or a related discipline
- Demonstrate a significant role in ecosystem-restoration activities
- Communicate effectively in written and spoken English
- Provide a current passport bio-information page
- Provide a curriculum vitae
- Provide a motivation letter
- Provide an endorsement letter from the applicant’s biosphere reserve
- Provide an endorsement letter from the national MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee
- Provide certificates of academic achievement
- Upload all required documents in PDF format
- Secure six months of study leave from the employing institution
- Obtain institutional commitment to continue salary and benefits during the fellowship and reinstate the fellow after completion
Application steps
- Read the official fellowship conditions and confirm eligibility
- Contact the relevant biosphere reserve and national MAB Focal Point for endorsement
- Prepare the passport copy, CV, motivation letter and academic certificates
- Obtain endorsement letters from the biosphere reserve and national MAB authority
- Complete the official GRÓ LRT online application form
- Upload all documents in PDF format and submit before 10 September 2026
Global Grants Hub strategic note
This fellowship is only suitable for professionals already working in or closely connected to an African UNESCO biosphere reserve. General environmental practitioners without biosphere-reserve experience and official endorsements are unlikely to qualify. Strong applicants will demonstrate practical restoration responsibilities, relevant experience and a project idea that benefits their home institution. Begin obtaining the two endorsement letters early, especially the letter from the national MAB Focal Point. The employer must also support six months of study leave and continue the applicant’s salary and benefits.