STIAS Individual Fellowship for Independent Researchers 2023

STIAS provides and maintains an independent ‘creative space for the mind’ to advance the cause of science and scholarship across all disciplines. It is global in its reach and local in its African roots, and values original thinking and innovation in this context. No restriction is placed on the country of origin, discipline, or academic affiliation when STIAS considers a fellowship invitation. It encourages the cross-pollination of ideas and hence gives preference to projects that will tap into, and benefit from, a multi-disciplinary discourse while also contributing unique perspectives to such a discourse. This interaction is fostered by inviting individual fellows or project teams where each team member is evaluated individually.

About Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)

n today’s knowledge society accessing reliable, appropriate, future-orientated, ground-breaking knowledge and being able to process the technologies and know-how that flows from this knowledge is key. It is also critical to nurture a future generation of independent thinkers and leaders. Leaders who not only understand the realities of a changing world, but also have the abilities and skills to implement new advances to the benefit of society.... read more

Individual Fellowship

Requirements for Individual Fellowship Qualification

The STIAS Fellowship and Research Programme Committee meets regularly for a preliminary selection of candidates against the criteria listed above. Final selection is concluded during a biannual meeting of the committee where the overall composition of a semester programme is also taken into consideration. The Director is further advised by the STIAS Academic Advisory Board.

The STIAS terms run from mid-January to mid-June (first semester), and from mid-July to mid-December (second semester). During recess periods STIAS cannot offer standard fellowship support, although it may be possible to make ad hoc accommodation arrangements.

Applications and suggestions for fellowships of one academic semester, (approximately mid-January to mid-June; or mid-July to mid-December) may be submitted in writing or via e-mail at any time in advance of announced deadlines. Selection is generally concluded 12 months in advance of the proposed period of residence. In well-motivated cases STIAS will, at the

Director’s discretion, consider applications for either a shorter period of residency (with a minimum of six weeks) or a period longer than one semester (with a maximum of two full semesters).

STIAS accepts and welcomes proposals for team projects: for more information please visit the Team Fellowships page.

As part of an early-to-mid-career advancement programme STIAS has launched the Iso Lomso Fellowship for African Scholars. In addition, STIAS may annually consider a limited number of fellowship applications from young scholars (any nationality, typically in their mid-thirties) which are evaluated within this context and against the standard criteria listed above, academic excellence and originality in particular. Applicants in this category are expected to have completed a PhD (or equivalent degree) and at least one postdoctoral fellowship (preferably more than one) at recognised academic institutions.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Along with a covering letter, applications should include:

1. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae.
2. A list of publications (may be included in the CV).
3. One or two recent articles typical of the applicant’s research work, or related to the proposed project.
4. A project title and description (2-4 pages) of the planned work and  expected outcomes.
5. A brief summary/ introductory text (maximum 200 words) of the proposed project accessible to readers from outside the candidate’s specific discipline. This will be posted on the STIAS website (see project summaries for examples).
6. A clear indication of the length of fellowship being applied for, together with preferred and alternative dates of residence at STIAS.
7. A brief indication of how the applicant became aware of the STIAS programme.

Submit via

EMAIL (preferred): [email protected] Documentation should be submitted in PDF format.

For more details, visit STIAS website.