Please read this page carefully before applying or nominating a candidate.
The deadline for nominations for the 2027 programme is 10 March 2026.
The link to the nomination form is at the bottom of this page.
During the nominations period, organizations are invited to submit nominations for candidates to attend the 30 ECTS postgraduate programme. GRÓ GEST then contacts the qualified nominees and invites them to fill out a more elaborate application form.
The programme offers two distinct tracks for admissions: the Project Track and the Research Track. These tracks cater to different goals and needs of fellows, as described below.
The nomination form is made available during the nomination period each year. The last day for submitting open call nominations for the spring term 2027 is 10 March 2026.
See the timeline for the admission process here.
Separate calls are made in GEST's partner universities through the EU Erasmus+ programme for which deadlines for applications vary (see further details below).
Target group
The target group for the GRÓ GEST postgraduate programme consists of young professionals from low- and middle-income countries and conflict or post-conflict societies who are working on gender equality within government ministries and agencies, civil society organisations, and educational or research institutions.
In line with the GRÓ Theory of Change and GRÓ’s strategic priorities for partner-country engagement, the programme places a clear and intentional emphasis on nominations from Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, with Africa designated as a UNESCO priority region. Within these regions, GRÓ GEST’s core focus is on building and consolidating gender equality capacity in the following priority countries:
- Uganda
- Malawi
- Sierra Leone
- Nepal
- Palestine (see special policy on Palestinian nominations at the bottom of the page)
- Ghana
- India
- Kenya
- Sri Lanka
- Pakistan
- Lebanon
Nominations from these countries are explicitly prioritised in the selection process, as the programme is designed to strengthen a critical mass of gender equality professionals in contexts where GRÓ GEST has established partnerships, alumni networks, and clear opportunities for long-term impact.
Nominations from organisations in countries outside this priority list must be supported by exceptional applications demonstrating very high potential for post-programme impact, as well as credible prospects for sustained institutional collaboration with GRÓ GEST.
Across all regions, candidates must be nationals and residents of low- or middle-income countries, or from conflict or post-conflict societies, with priority given to applicants from least developed and lower middle-income countries as defined by the OEDC's DAC list of ODA recipients. As institutional infrastructure and support for gender equality vary across contexts, applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Candidates who are nationals or residents of countries not included on the DAC list are not eligible to participate in the GRÓ GEST programme.
Prerequisites for both Project and Research Tracks
Applicants to both tracks must:
- Have at least one university degree at BA/BS/BEd level, equivalent to University of Iceland bachelor’s degree according to Enic/Naric Iceland recognition office.
- Be fluent in both spoken and written English.
- Have at least two years of professional experience relevant to the advancement of gender equality.
- Be junior professionals or young researchers (priority is given to individuals younger than 35 years old).
- Demonstrate leadership skills and the potential to be agents of change.
- Be committed to advancing gender equality.
- Be nationals and residents of low or middle-income countries, or from conflict/post-conflict societies. Priority is given to candidates from least developed and lower middle-income countries as defined on the DAC list. As infrastructure and institutional support for gender equality in these countries can vary, each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Candidates who are residents and/or nationals of countries not on the DAC list are ineligible to participate in the GRÓ GEST programme.
Admissions Tracks
Starting in 2025, the GRÓ GEST programme introduces two distinct tracks for admissions:
Project Track
The Project Track is for applicants who plan to develop practical projects as their final assignment (see more details about the final assignment below). This track emphasizes applied outputs that address real-world issues through actionable components. While projects may (and often do) involve research, the primary focus is on practical implementation. Fellows on this track are required to create project plans that will be implemented in their home country with the support of their home organization. Projects without the backing and funding of the applicant’s home organization are not eligible.
Key Features of the Project Track:
- Focus on practical outputs, often addressing pressing gender equality challenges.
- Projects are implemented with full backing from the fellow’s home organization.
- Fellows develop actionable project plans incorporating theories, methods, and skills studied during the programme.
Research Track
The Research Track is intended for applicants whose final assignments will be purely research-based, aiming to produce scholarly work suitable for publication in academic journals. This track is for individuals with a strong academic background and a demonstrated ability to conduct high-level research.
Additional Prerequisites for the Research Track:
Applicants to the Research track must:
- Demonstrate very good to excellent grade averages from their recent academic institutions.
- Hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum first-class grade equivalent to 7.25 on the Icelandic grading scale.
- Provide evidence that their research has a high chance of publication in a respected academic journal.
Key Features of the Research Track:
- Focus on producing rigorous, publishable academic research.
- Fellows work closely with expert supervisors to refine and complete their research projects.
- Research outputs must meet academic standards for journal submission.
The Final Assignment
The final assignment is the cornerstone of the GRÓ GEST programme and a critical element of the admissions process. Applicants must propose a solid and realistic idea for their final assignment as part of their application. Without a strong and feasible final assignment plan, candidates cannot be admitted to the programme.
Fellows work on their final assignment throughout their time in Iceland, under the guidance of expert supervisors. The assignment’s format depends on the selected admissions track:
- Project Track: Fellows develop a project proposal that outlines a detailed plan of action, including steps and activities needed to address and solve a specific problem. These projects are designed to be implemented in the fellow’s home country with the backing of their home organization.
- Research Track: Fellows undertake a research project aimed at producing publishable academic work. This requires rigorous analysis and adherence to scholarly standards.
Fellows begin the programme with their proposed final assignment topic, which cannot be changed after admission. The purpose of the final assignment is to reflect on the theories, methods, and skills studied during the programme and apply them in a practical or research context. At the end of the semester, fellows present their work at an open seminar organized by GRÓ GEST.
Selection Process
Once nominations have been reviewed, qualified nominees are invited to submit comprehensive applications. Based on the nominations submitted by organizations and the individual applications, a limited number of candidates are shortlisted for interviews. During the interviews, candidates need to:
- Explain their work and their role in their organization.
- Outline how the GRÓ GEST programme will benefit their organization and the population it serves.
- Demonstrate that their proposed project or research is feasible, implementable, and impactful (and in case of research: publishable).
- Show an in-depth understanding of their professional work/field of research and its relation to gender equality.
Financing of Candidates and Programme Costs
Programme participation is based on scholarships that are either:
- Funded directly by the GRÓ GEST programme through its core funding provided by the Government of Iceland.
- Funded (in part or in whole) by agencies such as development agencies, embassies, and governments.
- Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme and GRÓ GEST (applicable for currently enrolled MA students in GEST’s partner universities).
Candidates employed by UN agencies (with the exception of UNRWA) must be fully funded by their organizations.
The scholarships cover travel costs for fellows, housing on campus, and per-diem during the five-month course, in addition to educational facilities, learning material, and lessons.
Erasmus+ Scholarships
GRÓ GEST collaborates with various universities through the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. This programme enables GRÓ GEST to invite master's students in gender studies or related disciplines to enroll in the programme. Such scholarships are announced separately by GEST’s partner universities. Nominations are screened by GEST, followed by interviews. The process is equivalent to the open call applications process.
Prerequisites for Erasmus+ Candidates:
- Be enrolled in a relevant MA programme at GEST’s partner university throughout the duration of the GRÓ GEST programme.
- Be enrolled in a subject relevant to the advancement of gender equality.
- Be fluent in both spoken and written English.
- Be junior professionals or young researchers (priority is given to individuals younger than 35 years old).
- Demonstrate leadership skills and the potential to be agents of change.
- Be committed to enhancing gender equality.
- Be nationals and residents of low or middle-income countries, or from conflict/post-conflict societies.
- Receive credit transfer (ECTS) for the GRÓ GEST programme to their home university.
For all candidates: Here you can find Tips and tricks on how to write a good application and prepare for screening interviews, and here you may find answers to some frequently asked questions about the programme and living in Iceland.
Special Policy on Palestinian Nominees
The GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training (GEST) Programme has a long-standing tradition of accepting nominations and applications from Palestinian organizations. To date, 32 Palestinian fellows have successfully completed the programme, making it one of GRÓ GEST’s largest alumni networks.
In line with Iceland’s commitments in international development cooperation and GRÓ GEST’s mandate, the programme only accepts nominations from countries and territories included on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients. Palestine is on the DAC list and is therefore eligible under the programme’s standard criteria.
As a rule, and to ensure consistency with eligibility requirements for all applicants, Palestinian nominees must be nationals and residents of the State of Palestine to be nominated. However, recognizing the displacement and varied legal status affecting many Palestinians, GRÓ GEST will, in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, consider nominations for:
- Palestinians residing in Arab-majority areas of Israel in proximity to the occupied territories, who work on gender-related issues for Palestinian-identified organizations.
- Palestinians residing in Israel but engaged in gender-related work in the Palestinian territories.
- Palestinians, residing in Israel or Palestine, who are enrolled in an Erasmus+ partner university in the Palestinian territories for the duration of the GRÓ GEST programme.
This approach ensures that the programme remains consistent with international development cooperation principles while maintaining its long-standing engagement with Palestinian gender equality professionals.