The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) Fellowships 2028 offer researchers, scholars and artists an opportunity to pursue original work in South Africa. Applications for the first-semester 2028 Individual, Team and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships close on 31 October 2026.
Background & Job Description
Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study invites applications from scholars and artists worldwide for its first-semester 2028 fellowship programme in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
STIAS provides a residential environment for original research, creative work and interdisciplinary collaboration. Applicants can propose independent projects or apply as part of a research team.
The open categories include Individual Fellowships, Team Fellowships and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships. The first semester runs from mid-January to mid-June 2028. <Cite refs={[“turn866615search0″,”turn866615search1”]}/>
Tasks
Selected fellows pursue their proposed research or creative projects while engaging with an interdisciplinary community.
Individual fellows are expected to present their work at STIAS seminars and participate in the institute’s academic environment. Team fellows collaborate on a shared project, while artists develop a clearly defined creative project during their residency.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Requirements depend on the fellowship category.
- Individual Fellowship: Open to scholars and researchers with strong academic records and original research proposals.
- Team Fellowship: Suitable for teams, typically comprising two to five participants, with a clear shared project and defined contributions from each member.
- Artist-in-Residence Fellowship: Open to professional artists with a recognised record of exhibitions, performances, publications or other public presentations.
STIAS considers applications across disciplines and does not impose a general restriction on applicants’ countries of origin or academic affiliations. <Cite refs={[“turn866615search0″,”turn866615search1”]}/>
Experience
Applicants should demonstrate originality, professional achievement and the ability to complete their proposed work during the residency.
Research proposals are assessed on academic excellence, innovation, interdisciplinarity, relevance to South Africa and Africa, and feasibility. Artists should demonstrate an established creative career and present a realistic project.
Additional Information
The fellowships are residential, and fellows are generally expected to stay at STIAS for the duration of their approved fellowship.
Application deadline: 31 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC for the first-semester 2028 Individual, Team and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships.
Selection results: Applicants for the first semester of 2028 can expect feedback by 31 March 2027.
The application page does not publish a single fixed funding amount for these categories. Applicants should contact STIAS to confirm the applicable support, including accommodation, travel and stipend arrangements. <Cite refs={[“turn866615search0″,”turn866615search1″,”turn866615search3”]}/>
How to Apply
- Visit the official STIAS fellowship application page.
- Select the appropriate category: Individual, Team or Artist-in-Residence.
- Review the eligibility criteria and application instructions.
- Prepare the required documents in PDF format. Individual applicants generally need a motivational cover letter, a two-to-four-page project proposal, a comprehensive CV with publications, and one or two recent examples of their work.
- Team applicants should provide a project proposal explaining each member’s contribution, while artists should submit a creative project proposal and samples of their work.
- Submit the online application before 31 October 2026.
For assistance, contact STIAS at applicant-support@stias.ac.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the STIAS Fellowships?
They are residential fellowships supporting original research, interdisciplinary scholarship and creative projects at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study in South Africa.
2. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include researchers, scholars, research teams and professional artists who meet the criteria for their chosen fellowship category.
3. What is the application deadline?
The deadline for the first-semester 2028 Individual, Team and Artist-in-Residence Fellowships is 31 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
4. Can applicants from outside South Africa apply?
Yes. STIAS considers applications from different countries and academic affiliations, subject to the requirements of the selected fellowship.
5. Is the fellowship fully funded?
The official application page does not state one universal funding amount for these categories. Applicants should contact STIAS to confirm the support available for their specific fellowship.
6. Is the Iso Lomso Fellowship covered by the same deadline?
No. Iso Lomso has a separate application cycle. The official STIAS page states that the next call opens on 15 October 2026 and closes on 15 February 2027. It is intended for eligible early-career African scholars.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares fellowship information for public awareness and is not affiliated with STIAS or Stellenbosch University. Applicants should confirm eligibility, funding arrangements and deadlines through the official website.
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