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Stias Fellowship Program 2026 For Independent Researchers.

Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 STIAS Fellowship Program. 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.

The STIAS programme comprises projects which are entirely self-generated and proposed by applicants, as well as projects and programmes initiated and led by STIAS, typically with select partner organisations (see Initiatives). STIAS Fellows are expected to be resident at STIAS for the duration of a fellowship, with no academic obligations other than pursuing the proposed research project. Obligations while in residence include participating in the Tuesday and Thursday STIAS Fellows’ seminar where Fellows in turn present their work to other Fellows and invited academics from the local community and to have lunch at the STIAS Wallenberg Research Centre from Monday to Friday.

 

Category: Fellowship

Sponsor: STELLENBOSCH INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

Course to study: Not specified

Deadline: October 31st, 2024

 

STIAS Fellows are selected on the basis of academic excellence and the originality of their proposed research project. The following criteria serve as important guidelines:

1. Level

Does the proposal entail research at the highest level?

2. Innovation

Does the project break new ground? Does it hold the promise of new insights and the potential to produce new knowledge?

3. Interdisciplinarity

To what extent does the project draw on and contribute to different disciplines? Will the project facilitate an interdisciplinary, cross-pollinating engagements during the residency?

4. Relevance

Is the project appropriate for a programme of an institute for advanced study? Does the project have relevance for South Africa and Africa?

5. Feasibility

How convincing is the proposed methodology and research design, and how realistic is the research plan? Is the applicant equipped to deliver on the proposed project?

Timeline:

STIAS welcomes fellowship applications on a semester deadline basis.

 

Website:

https://stias.ac.za/fellowships/individual/