Early-career African academics can apply for the 2027 Iso Lomso Fellowship call from the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study. Successful applicants begin a three-year affiliation with STIAS and complete their first research residency in 2028.
Overview
Iso Lomso supports promising African researchers as they develop an independent scholarly profile after the PhD. The programme is open across academic disciplines and combines repeated STIAS residencies with international networking, conference support, research-development opportunities, and access to the intellectual community in Stellenbosch.
The Fellowship is structured as a longer-term relationship rather than a single short visit. Fellows remain affiliated with their African home institutions while using STIAS residencies and related support to advance a clearly defined research project.
Benefits
- Travel: Eligible Fellows receive economy return airfare to Cape Town or qualifying road-travel reimbursement for STIAS residencies.
- Accommodation: Accommodation is provided during approved STIAS residencies.
- Living Support: Fellows receive a monthly stipend toward living costs during their STIAS residence.
- Research Environment: Each Fellow receives an individual office, high-speed internet, library access, daily lunch, and participation in the STIAS fellowship programme.
- International Opportunity: Fellows may apply for a residency at a partner institute for advanced study or research institution outside South Africa.
- Conference Support: The three-year programme can support participation in up to two approved conferences or training events, including eligible travel, accommodation, and fees.
- Additional Support: Limited project funding, workshop support, and a childcare subsidy may be available under programme rules.
Eligibility
- Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of an African country.
- Age: Applicants must be 42 years old or younger on January 1, 2027.
- Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be affiliated with an African university or research institution and expect that affiliation to continue.
- PhD: Applicants must have earned a PhD from a recognised institution after January 1, 2019.
- Post-PhD Development: Applicants must have completed a postdoctoral fellowship or an equivalent post-PhD research or development programme.
- Residency Timing: Applicants must be able to begin the first STIAS residency in 2028.
- Discipline: Applications are accepted across academic disciplines.
How to Apply
- Deadline: Applications close on February 15, 2027 at 12:00 UTC.
- Project Summary: Prepare a project summary of no more than 200 words.
- Proposal: Submit a research proposal of two to four pages and no more than 2,000 words.
- Supporting Documents: Provide the doctoral certificate, CV and publication record, institutional support letter, requested work sample, and other documents specified in the form.
- References: Provide the details of two referees as required by the application.
- Submit: Complete the official STIAS Iso Lomso application form before the deadline.
