Deadline: 31-Oct-2026
The STIAS Team Fellowship supports small interdisciplinary research teams undertaking high-quality, original research in an internationally collaborative academic environment at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), South Africa. The fellowship provides funded residency, travel, accommodation, research facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with leading scholars while advancing innovative research projects.
STIAS Team Fellowship
The STIAS Team Fellowship is a prestigious international research fellowship designed for small teams of experienced scholars working on innovative and interdisciplinary research projects.
Hosted by the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in South Africa, the fellowship enables research teams to collaborate intensively in a residential academic environment that encourages intellectual exchange, creativity, and the development of new knowledge.
Unlike individual fellowships, the Team Fellowship supports collaborative research involving multiple scholars who work together on a shared research agenda.
Programme Overview
Programme Name: STIAS Team Fellowship
Host Institution: Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
Programme Type: International Research Fellowship
Research Format: Collaborative Team Residency
Team Size: Typically 2–5 researchers
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Target Applicants: Senior academics and experienced researchers
Fellowship Objectives
The STIAS Team Fellowship aims to:
- Support high-quality collaborative research.
- Encourage interdisciplinary scholarship.
- Promote academic innovation.
- Generate original knowledge.
- Strengthen international research collaboration.
- Provide scholars with uninterrupted research time.
- Foster intellectual exchange within the global academic community.
What Does the Fellowship Support?
The fellowship supports collaborative research projects that demonstrate:
- Academic excellence.
- Originality.
- Innovation.
- Interdisciplinary approaches.
- Strong research relevance.
- Practical and achievable research plans.
Research projects should be appropriate for an institute dedicated to advanced study and should contribute meaningful new knowledge to their respective fields.
Research Themes and Focus Areas
There are no fixed disciplinary restrictions. Instead, proposals are assessed based on research quality and intellectual merit.
Priority is given to projects that demonstrate:
- Academic excellence.
- Original research.
- Innovative methodologies.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Feasible research design.
- Significant scholarly contribution.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful Team Fellows receive a comprehensive package of support throughout their residency.
Benefits include:
- One economy-class return airfare to and from Cape Town.
- Airport transfers.
- Accommodation in Stellenbosch.
- Accommodation for an accompanying partner, where applicable.
- Monthly residency stipend (pro rata) to cover living expenses.
- Office space at the STIAS Wallenberg Research Centre.
- Access to research facilities.
- Daily weekday lunches with Fellows (excluding South African public holidays).
- Access to Stellenbosch University library services.
- Access to additional university research facilities.
- Opportunities to collaborate with an international community of scholars.
Residency Experience
The fellowship provides scholars with dedicated time and space to focus on research while engaging with an international academic community.
During the residency, Fellows are expected to:
- Conduct collaborative research.
- Participate in STIAS Fellows’ seminars.
- Engage in academic discussions.
- Share research ideas.
- Contribute to the intellectual life of STIAS.
- Collaborate across disciplines.
Residency Obligations
Team Fellows are subject to the same residency requirements as Individual Fellows.
These include:
- Active participation in fellowship activities.
- Attendance at Fellows’ seminars.
- Engagement with the STIAS academic community.
- Full participation throughout the residency period.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants should:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification.
- Have at least ten years of sustained research experience.
- Be senior academics or established scholars.
- Typically be employed by a university or research institution (although this is not mandatory).
- Apply as part of a collaborative research team consisting of approximately two to five members.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated using the same principles applied to Individual Fellowships.
Projects are assessed based on:
- Academic excellence.
- Originality.
- Innovation.
- Interdisciplinary engagement.
- Research relevance.
- Feasibility.
- Potential to generate new knowledge.
- Suitability for an institute for advanced study.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Complex global challenges often require collaboration across multiple disciplines.
The STIAS Team Fellowship creates an environment where experienced researchers can work together without routine academic distractions, enabling innovative thinking and long-term scholarly impact.
The programme also strengthens international research networks and promotes collaboration between scholars from diverse academic backgrounds.
How to Apply
Step 1
Develop a collaborative research project involving two to five researchers.
Step 2
Prepare a research proposal demonstrating originality, interdisciplinary collaboration, feasibility, and academic significance.
Step 3
Ensure all team members meet the fellowship eligibility requirements.
Step 4
Submit the Team Fellowship application according to STIAS application guidelines.
Step 5
If shortlisted, participate in the fellowship selection process.
Step 6
Successful teams begin their research residency at STIAS in Stellenbosch.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Develop a clearly defined collaborative research question.
- Demonstrate genuine interdisciplinary cooperation.
- Explain the originality of the research.
- Present a realistic work plan.
- Highlight each team member’s expertise.
- Show the broader academic significance of the project.
- Describe the expected research outputs and long-term impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting proposals without clear interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Presenting overly broad or unrealistic research plans.
- Failing to explain the novelty of the project.
- Weak coordination between team members.
- Providing insufficient evidence of research experience.
- Ignoring residency participation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the STIAS Team Fellowship?
The STIAS Team Fellowship is an international collaborative research fellowship that supports small teams of experienced scholars conducting innovative interdisciplinary research at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study.
How many researchers can be part of a team?
Research teams typically consist of two to five participants.
Who can apply?
Senior academics and scholars with a PhD and at least ten years of sustained research experience are eligible to apply.
What expenses are covered?
The fellowship provides return airfare, airport transfers, accommodation, a monthly living stipend, office space, research facilities, weekday lunches, and access to Stellenbosch University library services.
Are interdisciplinary projects encouraged?
Yes. Interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the programme’s core selection criteria.
What are Fellows expected to do during the residency?
Fellows are expected to conduct collaborative research, participate in seminars, engage with the STIAS academic community, and fulfil all residency obligations.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are assessed based on academic excellence, originality, innovation, interdisciplinary engagement, research relevance, feasibility, and the potential to generate significant new knowledge.
Conclusion
The STIAS Team Fellowship offers experienced research teams an outstanding opportunity to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary scholarship in a world-class academic environment. Through comprehensive residency support, international collaboration, and access to exceptional research facilities, the programme enables scholars to develop impactful research that advances knowledge across disciplines while strengthening global academic partnerships.
For more information, visit STIAS.