An increasingly important priority for STIAS is to strengthen a culture of research and advanced study on the continent in conversation with the rest of the world. It is especially important to nurture a new generation of African scholars to provide the intellectual leadership needed for future development. For this purpose, STIAS established an early career research fellowship programme called Iso Lomso. The Fellowship words ‘iso lomso’ originate from isiXhosa, the translation of which is ‘the eye of tomorrow’ and connotes seeing into the future, working towards the future, preparing for the future, and laying foundations for tomorrow.
Launched in 2017, the fellowship has evolved to be one of the most prestigious and highly competitive early-to-mid-level career programme on the continent. Scholars selected for this Fellowship are considered as part of the highly regarded emerging researchers in their field. At Institutional level, the fellowship aims to significantly contribute to the efforts of universities and research institutions on the African continent in addressing the gap that exists between completion of the Ph.D. and becoming an established scholar rooted in Africa.
The fellowship Call is thus open to African scholars who have obtained a doctoral degree within the preceding seven years, have completed a post-doctoral Fellowship or equivalent post-PhD programme and hold an academic position at a university or research institution anywhere in Africa. All disciplines are considered.
The Iso Lomso fellowship takes its cue from the ethos and objectives of STIAS and builds on the proven and successful Fellowship model of the Institute. It aims at enhancing the existing cross-fertilization of minds by broadening its scope through the inclusion of a younger generation. The programme is guided by the Institute’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its goal of creating research networks within and beyond Africa.
By its nature as an Institute for Advanced Study, STIAS does not provide access to experimental facilities nor fund fieldwork during the residency periods. Research project proposals with a predominantly experimental or fieldwork component will in general only be considered where the experimental aspect or fieldwork is funded by the home or other institution. In such cases, the proposal must provide information on existing funding and a clear indication of the research aspects of the project that will form the focus of the STIAS residencies.
Details of the Fellowship
Iso Lomso Fellowships provide a three-year affiliation with STIAS. The aim is to facilitate and support emerging researchers towards becoming established scholars in their fields. This is achieved by enabling the Iso Lomso Fellows to develop and conduct a long-term research programme of their preference.
The main means of support is STIAS residencies. Residential periods will be agreed mutually between the Fellow, their home institution and STIAS, and may vary between six weeks and five months per residency. A first period of residency is to be taken at STIAS, followed by one or two further residencies at STIAS or abroad.
While in residence at STIAS Fellows receive regular STIAS Fellow support which includes:
- an economy return airt ticket or on-road return reimbursement for SA-based Fellows (where applicable);
- accommodation preferably within walking distance from the Institute;
- individual office equipped with a PC, monitor, and connected to a pool printer;
- a monthly stipend for daily living costs;
- access to the Stellenbosch University library (including electronic resources) and a high-speed internet connection;
- participation in the regular STIAS Fellows programme, including daily lunch, weekly Fellows’ seminars, STIAS public lectures and social events;
- a childcare subsidy for Fellows accompanied by young children while in residence.
During the three-year Fellowship period, Fellows may apply for a range of research sponsorship interventions. These are considered in a flexible manner to ensure that each fit the individual Iso Lomso Fellow’s academic career goal and optimally into the Institute’s research programme. The research sponsorship interventions may include:
- a residency at a partner Institute for Advanced Study or relevant research institution beyond their home institution country (this will form part of the ten months’ residency allocation; the Fellow’s preferences for potential host institutions will be considered);
- funding to attend up to two academic conferences or research training events (covering travel, accommodation and participation fees);
- limited project funding for key interventions in their research programme;
- the possibility of hosting a workshop at STIAS or at their home institution as a means of strengthening the Fellow’s scholarly network and research impact.
Applicants are encouraged to consider which of these elements they would like to include in the pre-proposal timeline. These elements will be planned and finalised with Iso Lomso Fellows during their initial period of residency at STIAS.
Iso Lomso Fellows’ home institutions are eligible to apply for a staff replacement subsidy during residency periods. This will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with the home institution after the Fellowships have been awarded, in accordance with prevailing STIAS policy. It will be the Fellow and the home institution’s responsibility to recruit replacement lecturers or utilise the replacement fund in accordance with their institutional guidelines.
While not in residence at STIAS or in a STIAS-sponsored residence abroad, Iso Lomso Fellows are expected to continue their regular academic duties at their home institution.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be:
- a national of any African country;
- have an affiliation at a research or higher education institution in an African country, and continue to do so for the foreseeable future;
- have obtained a doctoral degree from any recognised higher education institution (worldwide) within the preceding eight years from 1 January of the fellowship Call year;
- have completed a post-doctoral Fellowship or conducted an equivalent post-PhD research programme;
- not more than 42 years of age on 1 January of the fellowship Call year;
- in a position to commence a first period of residency at STIAS within the first year from date of fellowship commencement.
- Applicants from non-Anglophone African countries may conduct their research in the language of preference; however, the application documents must be completed in English.
The quality of applications will be evaluated and selected on the basis of the following criteria:
- Level: the applicant’s academic excellence and the originality and scholarly strength of the proposed research project;
- Innovation: the project’s promise of new insights and the potential to produce new knowledge;
- Interdisciplinarity: whether the project methodology allows for drawing from different disciplines and its potential to facilitate an interdisciplinary discourse;
- Relevance: the project’s relevance for scholarship and knowledge production in Africa;
- Feasibility: whether the research design and the research plan are well argued, motivated and realistic.
How selection works
The Iso Lomso fellowships have a separate Call cycle. Calls for the Iso Lomso fellowship open annually on 15 October with a deadline of 15 February of the subsequent year. For example, the 2027 Call opens on 15 October 2026 and closes on 15 February 2027. Selection is usually completed by the end of May and announced during June of the Call year.
