STIAS Fellowship and Research Programme

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) is currently accepting applications from qualified candidates to join its prestigious fellowship programme. This programme comprises research projects that are both self-generated and proposed by applicants, as well as initiatives led by STIAS.
By providing an independent and stimulating intellectual environment, STIAS aims to advance scientific knowledge and scholarship across all disciplines. With a global reach and rooted in African context, STIAS values and encourages original thinking, innovation, and creativity.
The institute offers a unique opportunity for scholars to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaboration, fostering a rich and diverse intellectual community.
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Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for STIAS Fellowship and Research Programme are as follows:
- Applicants who are artists-in-residence and short-term Fellows drawn from the sphere of public commentary and opinion making.
- A limited number of applications from young scholars who have completed at least one postdoctoral fellowship (preferably more than one) will also be considered annually.
- Apart from candidates who apply within the framework of an agreement with the Volkswagen Foundation, STIAS does not consider postdoctoral applications.
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 and contribute to different disciplines? Will the project facilitate an interdisciplinary, cross-pollinating engagements during the residency?
- Relevance: Is the project appropriate for a programme of an institute for advanced study? Does the project have relevance for South Africa and Africa?
- 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?
Required Documents
Candidates are expected to submit along with a covering letter (see sample), applications should include:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, like this.
- A list of publications (maybe 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) of the planned work and expected outcomes.
- 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).
- A clear indication of the length of fellowship being applied for, together with preferred and alternative dates of residence at STIAS.
- A brief indication of how the applicant became aware of the STIAS programme and motivation to choose STIAS.
How to Apply
Submit via:
- EMAIL (preferred): [email protected]. Documentation should be submitted in PDF format.
- MAIL: Ms Gudrun Schirge, STIAS Senior Programme Administrator, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa