Deadline: 31 October 2025

Description

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) invites applications for its prestigious Individual Fellowships, offering scholars from across the globe the opportunity to join a vibrant intellectual community in Stellenbosch, South Africa. With no restrictions on nationality, discipline, or academic affiliation, STIAS creates an independent “creative space for the mind,” designed to encourage original thinking, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and innovation. Fellows are expected to be in residence during the fellowship semester, pursuing their own research while also engaging in seminars and discussions that enrich both their projects and the wider STIAS community.

Eligibility

Applications are open to scholars of the highest academic caliber from all fields, including the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Selection is based on academic excellence, originality, interdisciplinarity, relevance to Africa, and feasibility of the proposed project. Candidates should hold a PhD (or equivalent degree) and demonstrate a strong track record of research. While the fellowship is global in scope, STIAS particularly encourages projects that engage with Africa or have relevance for the region.

Benefits

Fellows enjoy a supportive environment that includes:

• Full residential stay in Stellenbosch, with access to office space and research facilities.
• Participation in the STIAS Fellows’ Seminars, where ideas are shared and debated in a non-hierarchical, cross-disciplinary setting.
• Opportunities for interaction with leading thinkers from around the world, including artists, public intellectuals, and opinion leaders.
• A unique chance to situate one’s research within an African context while maintaining global reach.

How to apply

Applications must include a CV, a list of publications, sample articles, a 2–4 page project description, and a summary (max 200 words) accessible to non-specialists. Applicants should indicate their preferred dates of residence (minimum six weeks to one semester, maximum two semesters). Submissions should be made via email in PDF format to gudrun@sun.ac.za by 31 October 2025 for the first semester of 2027. Results will be communicated in March 2026.

Contact information

For more details, visit the STIAS Fellowships page or contact Ms. Gudrun Schirge, Senior Programme Administrator, at gudrun@sun.ac.za

For more information, visit the official website.