Call for application: Training on the Application of Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Mountain Cryosphere

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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its cryosphere intervention in collaboration with College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, invites graduate students, government employees, and full-time early career scientists from research institutes across the HKH region to apply for a fully funded training on the application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) in mountain cryosphere studies. The program is designed to build foundational knowledge of state-of-the-art ML and DL models and their applications in cryosphere research. Participants will gain hands-on experience in applying these methods to cryosphere datasets, with practical exercises covering data preparation, model training, and real-world applications using open datasets and advanced computational tools. In addition, the training aims to foster collaboration and project-based learning among participants, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary engagement in cryosphere science.

Training content

The training sessions will introduce participants to the mountain cryosphere, including its key components and the impacts of climate change on these fragile environments. Participants will also gain exposure to geospatial data, available datasets, and practical tools such as the Google Earth Engine (GEE) Python API. The program will cover the fundamentals of machine learning, focusing on essential algorithms, data preprocessing, and feature engineering techniques relevant to cryosphere applications. In addition, the training will explore the basics of deep learning, with particular emphasis on convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures and commonly used frameworks. Advanced topics such as transfer learning methods and vision transformer models will also be introduced, offering participants insights into their applications in cryosphere research. Throughout the program, there will be extensive hands-on exercises designed to give participants practical experience with data collection, cleaning, preprocessing, feature engineering and model development.

Target participants

A total of 25 participants from Regional Member Countries (RMCs) will be selected through an open selection process. The training is designed for early-career researchers, graduate students, and professionals working in the fields of mountain cryosphere science, geoinformatics, environmental science, and climate change studies. Prior knowledge of Python, remote sensing, and google earth engine (GEE) is required and applicants should have a keen interest in learning and applying the machine learning and deep learning techniques in the mountain environment.

Training approach

Participants are required to bring their personal  laptops for the training. The program will be delivered through a mix of theoretical sessions and practical hands-on exercises. Participants will work collaboratively on group projects, which will be presented at the end of the training.

Eligibility and application requirements

Graduate students (Bachelors 4th year doing thesis, masters level and PhD level), government employees, and full-time early career scientists from research institutes in the following countries can apply: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, or Pakistan. Priority will be given to professionals and researchers working in mountain cryosphere.

Interested candidates are requested to fill this form.

Important dates

Application deadline: 24 October 2025

Selection process complete by 29 October 2025

Notify selected candidate by 31 October 2025

Training period: 1-6 December 2025

ICIMOD is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and offers equal opportunities to applicants from all backgrounds including but not limited to gender, age, national origin, religion, race, ethnicity, social status. We strongly encourage application from all eligible applicants specially women and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, from all parts of the HKH region.

Selection & funding

Applications will undergo review by an expert committee on climate and cryosphere hazard at ICIMOD. Selected candidates will be  notified by 31 October 2025, and granted a full scholarship including round-trip travel, food, and accommodation to attend the training in College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan, from 1–6 December 2025.

This work is part of Action Area: Cryosphere and Water under the Strategic Group: Climate and Environment, funded by the Government of Norway and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Planned follow up

We will be following up with the participants for further support in mountain cryosphere monitoring and research in the region, through the HKH CryoHub and other channels. The training will also work as a networking event and will contribute to building a network of researchers working in mountain cryosphere and its related hazards in the region. Participants will be asked to fill out a post-training survey that is critical to improving similar capacity building training in the future.

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