STIAS Fellowship Program 2027 for Independent Researchers (Fully Funded to South Africa) – Apply Now

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

About the Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2027 STIAS Fellowship Programme at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study one of Africa’s most prestigious residential fellowships for intellectual work and innovation. 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. Located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, STIAS brings together international and local fellows to foster collaboration, innovation, and intellectual exchange across a wide range of disciplines. Whether your work is in the sciences, humanities, arts, or social sciences, STIAS provides the environment to deepen your research, produce new work, and connect with peers and mentors who can help amplify your impact. The fellowship is designed to support deep thinking, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Fellowship Categories

Applicants can apply under three distinct categories:

Individual Fellowship: Open to researchers and academics from any discipline who wish to pursue self-generated research projects. STIAS encourages the cross-pollination of ideas and gives preference to projects that will tap into, and benefit from, a multi-disciplinary discourse while also contributing unique perspectives to such a discourse.

Artists-in-Residence: Open to writers, composers, filmmakers, visual artists, and other creative professionals with significant work in progress. This category provides dedicated time, resources, and community support to complete ambitious creative projects or develop new artistic directions.

Team Fellowship: Open to interdisciplinary teams of researchers (typically 2–5 members) working collaboratively on a shared project. Each team member is evaluated individually, and the fellowship fosters interaction and collaboration across disciplines.

Fellowship Benefits

This is a fully funded, high-end academic residency. Selected fellows receive comprehensive support, including:

• Fully equipped office space at the STIAS Wallenberg Research Centre
• Accommodation within walking distance of the institute
• Weekday lunch and a living stipend to cover daily expenses
• Access to Stellenbosch University Library and its extensive research resources
• Travel to and from South Africa for the duration of the fellowship
• Protected research or creative time fellows are relieved of teaching, administrative, or other professional obligations, allowing them to focus entirely on their proposed project

One of the greatest benefits of a STIAS fellowship is uninterrupted focus. Fellows can conduct in-depth research or experiments, write academic publications or books, develop creative or artistic projects, and experiment with interdisciplinary collaborations. This protected time enables scholars and artists to tackle ambitious projects that may be difficult to achieve in a typical academic or professional setting.

Additional Benefits:

• Interdisciplinary Engagement: Fellows interact with a diverse community of scholars, scientists, and artists, exchanging ideas and methodologies. This fosters innovation and opens doors to new perspectives and opportunities.
• Career and Academic Development: Opportunities to collaborate on international research projects, exposure to cutting-edge ideas across disciplines, mentorship from established scholars and practitioners, and enhanced CV and professional profile for future grants, positions, or exhibitions.

Fellows’ Obligations: While in residence, fellows are expected to participate 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. Fellows are also expected to have lunch at the STIAS Wallenberg Research Centre from Monday to Friday, fostering informal peer discussions and idea exchanges.

Eligibility Requirements

No restrictions are placed on the country of origin, discipline, or academic affiliation when STIAS considers a fellowship invitation. Ideal candidates include:

• Researchers and academics with a strong record of publications or projects
• Writers, artists, filmmakers, and creative professionals
• Interdisciplinary thinkers who will benefit from cross-disciplinary engagement
• Individuals working on high-impact intellectual or creative projects
• Scientists conducting advanced studies in their field

Important Eligibility Notes:

• STIAS fellows who have been in residence previously are welcome to submit new applications, bearing in mind that during a five-year cycle, preference is given to first-time applicants.
• STIAS does not consider postdoctoral applications, except for candidates who apply within the framework of an agreement with the Volkswagen Foundation.

Selection Criteria

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:

• Level: Does the proposal entail research at the highest level?
• Innovation: Does the project break new ground? Does it hold the promise of new insights and the potential to produce new knowledge?
• Interdisciplinarity: To what extent does the project draw on different disciplines, and what methodology is envisaged for doing so? Will the project facilitate an interdisciplinary discourse?
• Relevance: Does the project have relevance for South Africa and Africa? Is the project appropriate for the programme of an institute for advanced study?
• 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?

Application Process

Applications for the second semester of 2027 (mid-July to mid-December) must be submitted by April 30, 2026. The results of the cohort selection will be available in September 2026.

Along with a covering letter, applications should include:

• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A list of publications (may be included in the CV)
• One or two recent articles typical of the applicant’s research work, or related to the proposed project
• A project title and description (2–4 pages or up to 2000 words) of the planned work and expected outcomes, including objectives and significance
• A brief summary / introductory text (maximum 200 words) of the proposed project accessible to readers from outside the candidate’s specific discipline. If selected, this will be posted on the STIAS website
• A clear indication of the length of fellowship being applied for, together with preferred and alternative dates of residence at STIAS (the date must be between July 15, 2027 and December 15, 2027)
• A brief indication of how the applicant became aware of the STIAS programme and motivation to choose STIAS

Submission Methods

Online Application: Submit through the STIAS application portal. All documents should be in PDF format.

Email Submission: Send documentation in PDF format to applicant-support@stias.ac.za or gudrun@sun.ac.za

Postal Submission: Send to Ms Gudrun Schirge, STIAS Senior Programme Administrator, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Enquiries: applicant-support@stias.ac.za

Apply for STIAS Fellowship 2027 – Submit your application through the online portal click here

For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the STIAS Fellowship Program