Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) Fellowships 2028: Applications Open for Individual, Team and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships

1. Overview of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) Fellowship Programme

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) invites eligible researchers, scholars, scientists, interdisciplinary research teams and artists to apply for its 2028 first-semester Fellowship Programme. Based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, STIAS provides an independent intellectual environment where creative thinking, scientific inquiry, original research and engaged scholarship can flourish across disciplines.

The Institute is internationally oriented while maintaining strong African roots. Its fellowship programme brings together individuals with diverse academic, professional and creative backgrounds to explore important questions, develop original ideas and contribute to intellectual discussions that extend beyond their individual fields of expertise.

STIAS operates on the principle of creating a “creative space for the mind.” This approach encourages fellows to pursue ambitious research projects, exchange perspectives with other scholars, and explore new approaches to complex problems. Rather than limiting its activities to a single academic discipline, the Institute supports intellectual engagement across the sciences, humanities, social sciences, arts and other fields of inquiry.

For prospective applicants, the STIAS Fellowship Programme offers an opportunity to dedicate time to independent thinking, research development, artistic exploration and collaboration within an international scholarly community. Applications are invited through different fellowship pathways, depending on the applicant’s professional background, research objectives and proposed project.

The available application pathways include:

• Individual Fellowship: For applicants proposing their own independent research projects.
• Team Fellowship: For collaborative projects involving researchers or scholars working together.
• Iso Lomso Fellowship: A programme specifically designed for eligible early-career African scholars, with the next application call scheduled to open on 15 October 2026.
• Artist-in-Residence Fellowship: For artists seeking an intellectual and creative environment in which to develop their artistic work.

For the 2028 first-semester intake, applications are open for Individual Fellowships, Team Fellowships and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships. The application deadline for these three categories is 31 October 2026.

2. About the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study is an institute dedicated to advancing intellectual inquiry, original research and engaged scholarship. Located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the Institute offers a setting in which fellows can step away from their usual professional routines and concentrate on developing ideas, conducting research and engaging with colleagues from different backgrounds.

STIAS seeks to encourage scholarship that is intellectually ambitious, innovative and relevant to wider conversations. Its approach recognises that important research questions often cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and that meaningful intellectual progress can emerge when individuals with different areas of expertise exchange ideas.

The Institute’s international outlook also creates opportunities for intellectual engagement between scholars working in different countries and research environments. At the same time, its African roots provide an important context for conversations about knowledge production, research priorities and the contribution of scholarship to society.

The fellowship programme is therefore not simply an opportunity to obtain time for an individual project. It is also an invitation to participate in an intellectual community where research can benefit from discussion, constructive criticism, collaboration and exposure to different perspectives.

Prospective applicants should explore the Institute’s official website to understand its ethos, fellowship experience and application requirements before preparing a proposal.

3. Objectives of the STIAS Fellowship Programme

The STIAS Fellowship Programme aims to create an environment that supports original thinking, advances scientific and scholarly inquiry, and encourages engagement across academic and creative disciplines.

Several central objectives inform the programme.

3.1 Supporting original research and independent thinking

STIAS provides fellows with an environment in which they can focus on developing original ideas and pursuing research questions that require sustained intellectual attention. The fellowship programme welcomes projects that originate with applicants, allowing prospective fellows to identify questions they consider important and propose research that reflects their expertise and interests.

This emphasis on independently generated projects gives applicants an opportunity to develop distinctive research agendas rather than simply participate in predefined activities.

3.2 Encouraging interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement

The Institute places particular value on projects that benefit from multidisciplinary discussion. Many contemporary challenges cannot be adequately understood through a single academic discipline, and STIAS encourages fellows to explore how different forms of knowledge can contribute to a deeper understanding of important questions.

For example, a research project addressing environmental sustainability might benefit from perspectives in biology, economics, public policy, sociology and technology. Similarly, research on education could draw insights from psychology, social sciences, scientific research and public policy.

These examples illustrate the potential value of interdisciplinary thinking; they are not a statement that STIAS has announced specific priority topics for the 2028 call.

Applicants should explain how their proposed projects could contribute to intellectual discussions beyond their immediate fields and how engagement with other disciplines might strengthen their work.

3.3 Creating opportunities for intergenerational exchange

STIAS values intellectual engagement across generations. Bringing together scholars at different stages of their careers can create opportunities to exchange experiences, challenge assumptions, explore new approaches and develop a broader understanding of research questions.

Intergenerational exchange can be valuable because established researchers may contribute extensive experience and disciplinary knowledge, while emerging scholars may bring fresh perspectives, new methodologies and questions shaped by evolving research environments.

The Institute’s commitment to this principle reflects its wider interest in building a dynamic intellectual community.

3.4 Connecting scholarship with wider intellectual and societal discussions

STIAS encourages scholarship that contributes to individual, collective and engaged discourse. This means that a project may be valuable not only because it advances the applicant’s own research but also because it contributes ideas, evidence or perspectives to wider intellectual conversations.

Applicants should consider how their proposed work could enrich discussion within their discipline, encourage collaboration with other researchers or provide insights relevant to broader academic and societal questions.

The programme’s emphasis on engaged scholarship does not mean that every project must produce an immediate practical solution. Original theoretical work and fundamental scientific inquiry can also contribute to wider understanding.

4. Available STIAS Fellowship Opportunities for 2028

STIAS provides several fellowship pathways designed for different types of applicants and projects. Prospective applicants should select the category that most closely matches their professional background, the nature of their proposed work and the programme’s specific eligibility requirements.

4.1 Individual Fellowship

The Individual Fellowship is intended for applicants who wish to pursue an independently developed research or scholarly project at STIAS.

Under this pathway, prospective fellows propose projects that originate from their own intellectual interests and research agendas. The programme provides an opportunity to concentrate on a significant question, advance an existing project or develop new ideas in an environment that encourages reflection and scholarly exchange.

An individual fellowship may be relevant to a scholar who wants to:

• Develop an original research project.
• Advance a substantial piece of scholarly work.
• Explore a complex question that crosses disciplinary boundaries.
• Refine a theoretical framework or research approach.
• Exchange ideas with researchers from different academic backgrounds.
• Contribute a distinctive perspective to wider intellectual discussions.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed projects are sufficiently developed to communicate the central research question, its significance and the intellectual contribution they expect to make.

Although the fellowship is classified as an individual pathway, STIAS’s emphasis on intellectual exchange means that applicants should also consider how their projects could benefit from discussions with other fellows.

Application status: Applications are open for the 2028 first semester.

Application deadline: 31 October 2026.

4.2 Team Fellowship

The Team Fellowship supports collaborative research projects proposed by a group of scholars or researchers. This pathway is particularly relevant when a research question benefits from the combined expertise, complementary perspectives or shared intellectual contributions of multiple participants.

Collaborative research can help researchers investigate complex questions more comprehensively than might be possible through isolated work. Team members can contribute different methodologies, disciplinary knowledge and professional experiences to the same project.

A collaborative proposal may be appropriate where the project requires:

• Contributions from more than one academic discipline.
• Joint investigation of a significant research question.
• The integration of different theoretical or methodological approaches.
• Structured intellectual exchange among participating researchers.
• A collective contribution to an important scholarly debate.

Applicants considering a Team Fellowship should develop a coherent project proposal that explains the central research question, the rationale for collaboration and the expected intellectual contribution of the team.

The proposed collaboration should be more than a collection of unrelated individual projects. Applicants should demonstrate how the participants’ expertise fits together and how working as a team could strengthen the overall research outcome.

The precise team composition, supporting documentation and other application requirements should be confirmed through the official STIAS application process.

Application status: Applications are open for the 2028 first semester.

Application deadline: 31 October 2026.

4.3 Iso Lomso Fellowship

The Iso Lomso Fellowship is a distinct STIAS programme designed for early-career African scholars. Its focus on emerging academic talent makes it particularly relevant to eligible researchers who are developing their scholarly careers and seeking opportunities to strengthen their research trajectories.

Early-career scholars frequently need time and space to develop ambitious research projects, expand their academic networks and establish distinctive research agendas. Fellowship opportunities can help researchers engage with new ideas, develop collaborations and dedicate focused attention to important questions in their fields.

However, the Iso Lomso Fellowship should not be treated as interchangeable with the general Individual Fellowship. It is a separate programme with its own eligibility requirements and application schedule.

According to the supplied STIAS announcement, applications for the current Iso Lomso call are closed, and the next call is scheduled to open on 15 October 2026.

Prospective applicants interested in this pathway should use the period before the next call to review the programme’s eligibility requirements and prepare relevant application materials. The exact academic career-stage criteria, nationality or affiliation requirements, supporting documents and submission deadline should be confirmed through the official Iso Lomso programme information when the call opens.

Application status: Current applications are closed.

Next call opens: 15 October 2026.

4.4 Artist-in-Residence Fellowship

The Artist-in-Residence Fellowship offers an opportunity for eligible artists to pursue creative work within STIAS’s intellectually stimulating environment.

The inclusion of an artist-in-residence pathway reflects the Institute’s recognition that original thinking and knowledge creation are not limited to conventional academic research. Artistic practice can contribute distinctive perspectives to intellectual discussions, explore complex human experiences and create new ways of interpreting ideas and questions.

Artists considering this pathway should develop a proposal that clearly communicates their intended creative work and its intellectual or artistic significance. They should explain what they intend to explore or develop during the residency and how the proposed project relates to their artistic practice.

The fellowship may be relevant to artists whose work would benefit from sustained creative concentration and engagement with an interdisciplinary community. Nevertheless, applicants should consult the official call to determine the eligible artistic disciplines, portfolio requirements and any additional conditions applicable to the residency.

The Artist-in-Residence Fellowship is separate from the research-oriented Individual and Team Fellowship pathways, even though all three are part of STIAS’s wider commitment to intellectual creativity.

Application status: Applications are open for the 2028 first semester.

Application deadline: 31 October 2026.

5. Fellowship Periods and Residency Expectations

STIAS organises its fellowship programme around two principal terms each year. Applicants should understand these periods when planning their research schedules, professional commitments and potential stay in South Africa.

The Institute’s stated fellowship periods are:

• First semester: Mid-January to mid-June.
• Second semester: Mid-July to mid-December.

The current application announcement identifies the open Individual, Team and Artist-in-Residence opportunities as being for the 2028 first semester. The precise starting and ending dates for a successful applicant’s fellowship should be confirmed through the official programme information.

Residency expectations

STIAS fellows are generally expected to reside at the Institute for the duration of their fellowships. The stated expectation is that fellows will be present at STIAS while pursuing their proposed projects, except in circumstances that have been agreed upon in advance.

This residency expectation is important for applicants who currently live outside South Africa or have professional, academic or family commitments that may affect their ability to participate.

Applicants should therefore consider the practical implications of a residential fellowship, including:

• The ability to spend the required period in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
• Arrangements for existing employment or academic responsibilities.
• Travel planning and any applicable immigration requirements.
• The feasibility of concentrating on the proposed project throughout the fellowship.
• Any personal or professional circumstances that may require prior agreement with STIAS.

The supplied announcement does not specify the detailed accommodation arrangements, travel support, living allowance or other financial benefits attached to each fellowship category. Applicants should not assume that these costs are automatically covered. Such matters should be verified directly with STIAS or through the relevant application documentation.

6. What Makes a Strong STIAS Fellowship Proposal?

STIAS encourages applicants to propose original projects that contribute to scholarly inquiry and benefit from interdisciplinary engagement. Although the specific application requirements depend on the fellowship pathway, prospective applicants can begin by developing a clear and intellectually compelling project proposal.

6.1 Identify a clear research question or creative objective

A strong proposal should communicate exactly what the applicant intends to investigate, develop or explore.

For research scholars, this means defining the central question or problem that the project seeks to address. For artists, it means explaining the creative objective and the work to be developed during the residency.

The proposal should avoid being so broad that its purpose becomes difficult to understand. Instead, it should establish a clear intellectual direction and explain why the proposed work deserves sustained attention.

6.2 Explain the significance of the proposed work

Applicants should explain why the project matters within its field and, where appropriate, to wider intellectual discussions.

This may involve identifying an unresolved research question, a gap in existing scholarship, a new theoretical perspective or an opportunity to reconsider an established assumption.

The aim is to demonstrate that the project offers more than a routine continuation of existing work. Applicants should explain the distinctive contribution they expect to make.

6.3 Demonstrate originality and innovation

STIAS explicitly values original thinking and innovation. Prospective fellows should therefore communicate what makes their proposed projects distinctive.

Originality might arise from a new research question, a fresh interpretation of existing evidence, a novel conceptual framework, an innovative methodology or an unexpected connection between disciplines.

Applicants should describe their project’s originality accurately and avoid overstating claims that cannot be supported by their research.

6.4 Explain the value of interdisciplinary engagement

Because STIAS values cross-disciplinary discussion, applicants should consider how their projects could benefit from exposure to ideas outside their immediate areas of expertise.

A proposal might explain how conversations with scholars in other fields could challenge existing assumptions, clarify the implications of the research or suggest new directions for investigation.

Applicants should make this connection meaningful rather than simply listing several disciplines. The important question is how interdisciplinary engagement could strengthen the proposed work.

6.5 Establish a realistic plan for the fellowship period

Applicants should consider what they can reasonably accomplish during their proposed residency.

Depending on the project, this may include developing a theoretical argument, advancing a manuscript, refining a research framework, analyzing existing material or progressing toward a significant creative outcome.

A realistic plan helps demonstrate that the applicant has thought carefully about the fellowship’s purpose and can make productive use of the available time.

The official application instructions should determine the required proposal length, format, supporting documents and any additional assessment criteria.

7. How to Apply for the STIAS Fellowship Programme

Applicants interested in the 2028 first-semester opportunities should begin by identifying the fellowship category that best matches their circumstances.

The following steps provide a practical starting point.

Step 1: Visit the official STIAS website

Start by visiting the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study website to learn more about the Institute’s ethos, fellowship experience and application procedures.

Step 2: Select the appropriate fellowship category

Review the available pathways and decide whether the project is best suited to an Individual Fellowship, Team Fellowship or Artist-in-Residence Fellowship.

Applicants interested in the Iso Lomso programme should monitor its separate call, which is scheduled to open on 15 October 2026.

Step 3: Review the relevant application requirements

Read the instructions associated with the chosen fellowship carefully. Confirm the eligibility conditions, required proposal format, supporting documentation and submission process.

Do not assume that the requirements for one fellowship category automatically apply to another.

Step 4: Develop the project proposal

Prepare a clear explanation of the proposed research or artistic work. Explain its central question or objective, its significance, its originality and the contribution it could make to wider intellectual discussions.

For Team Fellowship applicants, ensure that the proposal explains the purpose of the collaboration and the relationship between the participants’ contributions.

Step 5: Confirm residency and practical arrangements

Consider whether you can participate in the expected residential period. If exceptional circumstances may affect your ability to remain at STIAS for the full duration, seek clarification from the Institute before making assumptions about possible arrangements.

Also confirm any financial, travel or accommodation arrangements that are relevant to your circumstances.

Step 6: Submit the application before the deadline

For the 2028 first-semester Individual, Team and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships, the stated application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Applicants should follow the official application portal’s instructions and ensure that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. They should also check the official website for any updates or changes to the call.

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8. Important Dates and Application Status

The supplied STIAS announcement identifies the following deadlines and application dates.

Fellowship category	2028 first-semester status	Key date
Individual Fellowship	Applications open	31 October 2026 deadline
Team Fellowship	Applications open	31 October 2026 deadline
Iso Lomso Fellowship	Current call closed	Next call opens 15 October 2026
Artist-in-Residence Fellowship	Applications open	31 October 2026 deadline

Applicants should distinguish between the opening date of the next Iso Lomso call and the closing date of the other three fellowship opportunities. The 15 October 2026 date is the stated opening date for the next Iso Lomso call, not its application deadline.

Because fellowship information and requirements can change, applicants should consult the official STIAS website for the latest details before submitting an application.

Click HERE for more information about Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) Fellowships 2028.

9. Why Consider a STIAS Fellowship?

The STIAS Fellowship Programme may be valuable for researchers, scholars, interdisciplinary teams and artists seeking an environment that supports original thinking and focused intellectual work.

Its distinctive approach combines independent project development with an emphasis on engagement across disciplines and generations.

Potential benefits of participating in this environment include:

• Dedicated time for intellectual work: The residential fellowship structure is intended to give fellows an opportunity to concentrate on their proposed projects.
• Interdisciplinary engagement: Fellows can participate in an environment that values the exchange of ideas across fields.
• Opportunities for original thinking: The programme encourages projects that develop new perspectives, questions and approaches.
• International scholarly exposure: STIAS’s international orientation provides a setting for intellectual exchange among people from different research environments.
• Collaborative possibilities: The Institute’s emphasis on discussion and cross-pollination may help fellows refine their work and identify new intellectual connections.
• Creative exploration: The Artist-in-Residence pathway recognises artistic practice as an important part of the Institute’s wider intellectual mission.

These points describe the programme’s stated ethos and intended intellectual environment. They should not be interpreted as guarantees of particular financial benefits, publications, collaborations or future career outcomes.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the STIAS Fellowship Programme?

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship Programme supports independent research, original thinking, interdisciplinary engagement and creative work. Applicants can apply through different pathways depending on their proposed projects and professional backgrounds.

What is the deadline for the STIAS Fellowship 2028 first semester?

The application deadline is 31 October 2026 for the Individual Fellowship, Team Fellowship and Artist-in-Residence Fellowship opportunities listed as open for the 2028 first semester.

Which fellowship categories are currently open?

According to the supplied announcement, the Individual Fellowship, Team Fellowship and Artist-in-Residence Fellowship are open for applications for the 2028 first semester.

The current Iso Lomso call is closed, and the next call is scheduled to open on 15 October 2026.

Who can apply for a STIAS Fellowship?

The appropriate applicant profile depends on the fellowship category. Individual Fellowships are intended for applicants proposing independent projects, Team Fellowships are designed for collaborative projects, Iso Lomso is aimed at eligible early-career African scholars, and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships are intended for eligible artists.

The supplied announcement does not establish a comprehensive list of academic qualifications, eligible nationalities or country restrictions for every category. Applicants should confirm the precise requirements through the relevant official call.

Can international applicants apply?

STIAS describes its fellowship programme as international in reach. However, the supplied announcement does not provide a definitive list of eligible countries or confirm that every category is open without nationality, residence or other restrictions. International applicants should verify the requirements for their chosen fellowship.

Must fellows live in Stellenbosch during the fellowship?

STIAS generally expects fellows to be resident at the Institute for the duration of their fellowship, except where alternative arrangements have been agreed upon in advance. Applicants should confirm the practical requirements directly with STIAS.

Does STIAS provide funding, accommodation or travel support?

The supplied announcement does not specify the financial benefits or detailed support arrangements associated with each fellowship. Applicants should consult the official application information or contact the Institute to clarify what is covered.

Conclusion

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship Programme offers an opportunity for researchers, scholars, collaborative teams and artists to pursue original projects in an environment that values independent thinking, intellectual creativity and engagement across disciplines.

Through its Individual Fellowship, Team Fellowship and Artist-in-Residence Fellowship pathways, STIAS invites applicants to develop projects that can contribute distinctive perspectives to scholarly and creative discussions. Its separate Iso Lomso programme provides another pathway for eligible early-career African scholars, with the next call scheduled to open in October 2026.

Applicants interested in the 2028 first-semester Individual, Team or Artist-in-Residence Fellowships should review the official requirements, prepare a strong project proposal and make the necessary arrangements for the expected residential period.

The application deadline for these three open fellowship categories is 31 October 2026. Prospective fellows should consult the official STIAS application portal for the most accurate and up-to-date information before submitting their applications.

 Discover more global Fellowship opportunities on Opportunities For Youth.