Ukrainian organizations and institutions can nominate their employees to participate in the prestigious international GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GRÓ GEST), which will take place in Iceland from January to May 2027.

This special call has been made possible through funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland as part of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Iceland. Up to two scholarships will be awarded to participants from Ukraine for the 2027 programme.

What is GRÓ GEST?

GRÓ GEST is an international postgraduate programme worth 30 ECTS credits, offered by the University of Iceland. It combines academic study with practical tools for advancing gender equality, human rights, social justice, and institutional change.

Participants will study:

• gender analysis;
• policy development;
• project management;
• research methods;
• international knowledge exchange;
• integrating gender perspectives into the work of public institutions and organizations.

Who can apply?

The programme is intended for Ukrainian professionals, early-career researchers, and representatives of institutions working to advance gender equality.

Applications are particularly encouraged from professionals working in the fields of:

• gender equality policy;
• women’s rights;
• prevention of and response to gender-based violence;
• peacebuilding;
• post-war recovery;
• human rights;
• social inclusion;
• education;
• civil society development;
• gender mainstreaming in public institutions.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• hold a university degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree);
• have a minimum of two years of professional experience;
• be employed by the nominating organization;
• demonstrate proficiency in English;
• show leadership potential and a strong commitment to gender equality.

Preference will be given to young professionals and researchers, generally under the age of 35.

For detailed admission requirements, please refer to the official programme guidelines.

An Individual Project or Research Proposal Is Required

During the programme, each participant will complete a final project directly related to their professional work.

Applicants may choose one of two tracks:

• Project Track — developing a practical project to be implemented in Ukraine after completing the programme;
• Research Track — conducting an academic research project with the aim of publishing the results in a peer-reviewed journal.

A well-developed, feasible project or research proposal is one of the key selection criteria.

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship provides full financial support, including:

• international airfare;
• accommodation in Iceland;
• a living allowance throughout the five-month programme;
• tuition fees;
• study materials;
• access to all programme resources.

How to apply

Individual applications are not accepted. Candidates must first be nominated by a Ukrainian organization or institution.

The nomination form is available through the official application portal.

The nominating organization must provide:

• information about the nominee;
• a description of the nominee’s professional background;
• a justification for the nomination;
• a brief description of the proposed project or research;
• confirmation of the nominee’s English language proficiency.

After reviewing nominations, GRÓ GEST will invite shortlisted candidates to submit a full application.

Important dates

• 15 July 2026 — deadline for submitting nominations.
• 17 August 2026 — deadline for invited candidates to submit full applications.
• January–May 2027 — programme takes place in Iceland.

More information about the programme is available on the GRÓ GEST website.