14–24 October 2026
Kibale National Park, Uganda
The COGENT project (Excellence in Conservation Biology through Accelerated Research and Training) is pleased to announce a field-based training course in conservation biology and biodiversity research, to be held in Uganda from 14–24 October 2026 (tentative dates).
COGENT is part of the BioAlliance CoRE and brings together five partner universities in Africa and Europe to advance research, training, mobility, and collaboration in biodiversity and conservation science:
- University of Oslo, Norway
- Makerere University, Uganda
- University of Rwanda, Rwanda
- Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
- Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
The field course is part of COGENT's capacity-building activities and will provide MSc and PhD students with practical experience in biodiversity research and conservation while strengthening scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange among students and researchers across the partner institutions.
Field Course Location
The course will take place primarily in Kibale National Park, Uganda, with the possibility of field visits to other protected areas, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, depending on the final programme and logistical arrangements.
The course will combine field-based training, practical exercises, lectures, group activities, discussions, and interaction with researchers and conservation practitioners.
What Will Participants Gain?
The field course will provide participants with practical experience in:
- Designing and conducting field-based biodiversity research;
- Biodiversity assessment and monitoring;
- Ecological and conservation field methods;
- Field sampling and data collection;
- Species and habitat observations;
- Field data management and quality control;
- Approaches to analysing and interpreting biodiversity data;
- Conservation research and management;
- Linking field observations to research questions and conservation priorities;
- Developing research skills through collaborative fieldwork; and
- Working across institutions and disciplines in an international research environment.
Participants will have the opportunity to apply research methods in a real-world conservation setting and develop skills that can contribute to their MSc or PhD research and future careers in biodiversity and conservation science.
Who Can Apply?
The field course is open to MSc and PhD students from the five COGENT partner universities:
- University of Oslo
- Makerere University
- University of Rwanda
- Addis Ababa University
- Eduardo Mondlane University
Applicants should have an academic or research interest relevant to biodiversity, conservation biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, or related fields.
Selection and Available Places
The course will bring together students from all five COGENT partner universities.
Two students will be selected from each COGENT partner university outside Uganda, while Makerere University, as the host institution, will select an additional 8–10 students.
The final number of participants may be adjusted depending on logistical and funding considerations.
Selection will consider:
- Academic background and relevance to the course;
- Current research or study interests;
- Motivation for participating;
- Potential benefits to the applicant's MSc/PhD research and professional development; and
- Potential contribution to the COGENT research and training network.
Financial Support
For selected COGENT-funded participants, the programme will cover:
- Round-trip international or regional travel to Uganda;
- Visa application fees;
- Accommodation;
- Field-course-related travel; and
- Other approved costs directly related to participation in the field course.
Further information on travel and logistical arrangements will be provided to selected participants.
Application - by 10 September 2026
Interested MSc and PhD students should complete the online application form by: 10 September 2026
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- Basic academic and institutional information;
- Information about their current research or academic interests;
- A short description of previous 2``field or biodiversity research experience, if applicable;
- A motivation statement of up to 500 words explaining why they wish to participate and how the course will contribute to their research or professional development; and
- A CV.
Apply through the online application form
Contacts
All COGENT project members are contact persons, and applicants are welcome to contact project members at their respective institutions for further information.
Primary contacts
- Dr Venuste Nsengimana, venusteok@gmail.com
- Dr Mary namaganda, mary.namaganda@mak.ac.ug
- Dr Perpetra Akite, perpetra.akite@gmail.com
- Prof Charlotte Sletten Bjorå, csletten@nhm.uio.no
Applicants may also contact other COGENT project members through the COGENT project webpage.