A mobility and peer-mentorship program to support capacity strengthening for climate adaptation on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – deadline for applications 9 March 2026, 5pm EST

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are on the frontlines of climate change and consistently rank high on a range of risk and climate vulnerability indices. IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report recognizes the urgency of these challenges and the need for transformational adaptation strategies for small islands.

Responding to this need, the RECOVER project launches the “Hubs of Island Innovation” mobility and peer-mentorship program to support capacity strengthening for climate adaptation on SIDS. Designed in consultation with professionals in SIDS, this 6-month fellowship program is designed to advance scientific knowledge, professional capacities, and networks for researchers and practitioners living and working in SIDS. 

This initiative offers a virtual component, as well as up to 2 months of in-person placement a leading institution, providing access to research methods, resources, global networks, mentorship, and to work in teams to design climate adaptation solutions. At the start of the fellowship, awardees will participate in a 10-week online course coordinated and certified by University of Waterloo, Canada. Up to 12 participants will be selected in 2026, each receiving up to CAD $12,000 to fully support their mobility experience and join a network of hubs of island innovation. 

To learn more about the program, click on the concept note PDF link below. 

Download PDF

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be living and working full time (in any sector) in one of the 39 UN Member SIDS
• Demonstrate interest and experience in resource-use and security on SIDS, with clear alignment with future career goals.
• Work within one or more priority areas: water, energy, food security, transport, infrastructure, to institutional capacity strengthening related to resource-use governance and policy.
• Provide a CV reflects a track record of accomplishments appropriate to their career stage and sector.
• Show willingness to commit at least 1-month of in-person mobility, supported by an endorsement from their home institution confirming release from work duties during their placement. *Exceptions can be made on compelling or accessibility grounds, with alternatives such as leave of absence considered.

· Submit a 3-page proposal outlining:

• Problem context
• Your track record in addressing the issue
• Existing barriers to addressing the problem
• How this mobility program will help you overcome those barriers 
• A monthly work plan with milestones for virtual and in-person activities, and outputs (see concept note PDF for suggestions)
• Preferred placement location (from existing host institutions or your own suggestions; we will do our best to accommodate)
• An estimated budget for the in-person component (as an annex)

How to apply·      

Submit your full application as one PDF file titled: Application to Hubs of Island Innovation.

To: Alessandra Aponte Donaire <aaponte@uwaterloo.ca>

 The deadline for applications is March 9^th, 2026, at 5PM (EST). 

Steering Committee responsible for the selection and overseeing the mobility program:

• Simron Singh (Canada): Professor and University Research Chair, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Canada [chair of the mobility program]
• Crystal Drakes (Barbados): former Senator, Govt of Barbados, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on People and Planet. She has a Ph.D. in Ecological Economics, and affiliated to University of the West Indies, and also a co-founder for a non-profit organization. 
• Ahmed Inaz (Maldives): former Finance Minister, currently Assistant Professor at Maldives National University (MNU), and also chairs the island nation’s Pensions Board.
• Sunil Dowarkasing (Mauritius): former MP, former Pan-Africa parliamentarian, former advisor to the Prime Minister, former global strategist at Green Peace, and COP negotiator, and regularly writes in the media, including books and articles on the SDGs.
• Bibhya Sharma (Fiji): Professor of Applied Mathematics, and Head of the School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Physics, University of South Pacific (USP), Fiji

Potential host institutions (this will continue to be updated) 

• University of South Pacific (USP), Fiji
• Maldives National University (MNU), Maldives
• University of the West Indies, SALISES – Cave Hill campus, Barbados
• University of the West Indies, SALISES – St. Augustine campus, Trinidad and Tobago
• University of Aruba, SISSTEM program, Aruba
• University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Institute of Sustainable Futures, Australia
• The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Australia
• Sophia University, Sophia Island Sustainability Institute, Japan
• University of Delaware, Island Policy Lab, U.S.A
• Leiden University, Institute for Environmental Sciences (CML), Netherlands
• University of Waterloo, Faculty of Environment, Canada
• University of Augsburg, Resource Lab, Germany