Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Opportunity for African and Southeast Asian Scholars to Reimagine Global Humanities

The Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2026 presents a compelling and transformative opportunity for mid-career scholars from Africa and Southeast Asia (excluding Indonesia) who are committed to challenging entrenched colonial legacies in academic knowledge production. Hosted by the Department of Anthropology at Universitas Indonesia (UI) and supported by the Gerda Henkel Foundation, this fellowship is strategically designed to shift the center of gravity in global humanities discourse by amplifying Global South perspectives.

In a world where Eurocentric frameworks continue to dominate scholarly narratives, this initiative directly addresses structural inequities that limit access to academic resources, collaboration, and influence for scholars in the Global South. By prioritizing South-to-South engagement, the fellowship fosters a new intellectual ecosystem grounded in critical, decolonial thinking and collaborative knowledge creation.

About the Fellowship

The program invites selected fellows to spend between 6 to 12 months at Universitas Indonesia, one of Southeast Asia’s leading academic institutions. Positioned at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific, UI provides an intellectually rich environment for interdisciplinary collaboration, research innovation, and academic exchange.

The fellowship is specifically tailored for scholars eager to experiment with new conceptual frameworks, collaborate across regions, and produce innovative academic outputs that challenge dominant narratives in the humanities.

Core Objectives of the Fellowship

The Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship is structured around several strategic objectives:

• Advancing humanities research rooted in decolonial perspectives from the Global South
• Facilitating long-term academic partnerships between African and Southeast Asian institutions
• Supporting the development of impactful academic publications and teaching innovations
• Strengthening institutional collaboration and teaching capacity at Universitas Indonesia

What Fellows Will Do

During the fellowship period, participants will be actively engaged in a variety of academic and collaborative activities designed to maximize impact:

1. Academic Colloquiums

Fellows will deliver two major colloquiums:

• A closed-door session in the first month to refine research ideas with faculty and peers
• A public colloquium toward the end of the fellowship to present findings and stimulate broader academic discourse

2. Working Paper Development

Each fellow is expected to produce at least one high-quality working paper aligned with their research focus, contributing to global conversations on decolonial scholarship.

3. Teaching and Academic Engagement

Fellows will integrate into existing courses within the host department, offering seminars, workshops, and guest lectures. This engagement allows for direct interaction with students and faculty while fostering dynamic academic debates.

4. Collaborative Research Projects

Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams to design and develop research initiatives that challenge colonial epistemologies and promote innovative methodologies.

5. Knowledge Dissemination

Fellows are encouraged to share their research through academic journals, digital platforms, and public events, ensuring accessibility and broader societal impact.

Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support

The fellowship offers a comprehensive support package to ensure scholars can focus fully on their research and collaboration:

• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses in Indonesia
• Coverage of visa fees and research permits
• Reimbursement for international travel (up to a specified limit)
• Funding for research materials and supplies
• Family support, including:
  • Two return trips for family visits
  • Financial grants for children under 18

This holistic support structure ensures inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for scholars with family responsibilities.

Expected Outcomes

The fellowship is designed to produce tangible and long-lasting impact, including:

• Support for up to two fellows annually
• Publication of scholarly articles and development of teaching modules
• Organization of public lectures, workshops, and open-access knowledge platforms
• Strengthened academic networks across Africa and Southeast Asia
• Enhanced institutional capacity at Universitas Indonesia for global collaboration

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit an expression of interest via email. The application should clearly demonstrate academic excellence, a commitment to decolonial scholarship, and a willingness to engage in cross-regional collaboration.

Subject Line: Application – Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship – Full Name

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following in a single email:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   A detailed academic CV outlining institutional affiliation, research experience, and publications.
2. Research Proposal (Maximum 5 Pages)
   The proposal should include:
   • Research objectives and key questions
   • Conceptual and methodological approach
   • Expected outputs such as publications or teaching modules
3. Writing Sample (Optional but Encouraged)
   A recent publication or manuscript relevant to the proposed research area.

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated by a dedicated selection committee based on:

• Academic merit
• Alignment with the fellowship’s decolonial agenda
• Potential for meaningful collaboration

Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further discussions, and successful applicants will be notified via email.

Deadline

All applications must be submitted by 30 April 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+7).

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