The original Project of SARA(S)² Institute envisioned the organization of a PhD program in conjunction with the University of Wageningen. Nevertheless, it was perceived that this initiative could be seen as a competition for other postgraduate programs across Latin America and thus jeopardize the integration of the Institute in the academic-scientific context of the region. Considering this, the Institute decided to develop a postgraduate program focused in regional non-consolidated or poorly developed areas. Among them, main identified issues are:
- Complex systems dynamics and early signs of change.
- Governability, complexity and resilience of socio-ecological systems.
- Ecological Economics.
- Adaptability, transformation and innovation in socio-ecological systems.