Iso Lomso Fellowship for African Scholars 2026

🌍 About the Fellowship

Iso Lomso, meaning "the eye of tomorrow" in isiXhosa, is a programme aimed at African scholars who have obtained a doctoral degree within the preceding seven years and hold an academic position at a university or research institution in Africa.

Key Details:

• Eligibility: Scholars from all disciplines are welcome.
• Objective: To support African scholars in laying the foundations for tomorrow by advancing their research programmes.

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

While in residence, fellows will receive the following support:

• Economy return flight.
• Comfortable accommodation within walking distance of the institute.
• Individual offices equipped with a PC, telephone, and printer.
• Monthly stipend for daily living costs.
• Access to resources:
  • Stellenbosch University library (including electronic resources).
  • High-speed internet connection.
• Participation in the STIAS fellows programme, which includes:
  • Daily lunch.
  • Weekly fellows’ seminars.
  • STIAS public lectures.
  • Social events.
• Childcare subsidy for fellows accompanied by young children while in residence.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the 2026 call, applicants must:

• Be a national of any African country.
• Be born after 1st January 1984.
• 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 recognized higher education institution (worldwide) after 1st January 2018.
• Have completed a post-doctoral fellowship or equivalent post-PhD research programme.
• Be in a position to commence a first period of residency at STIAS during 2027.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Shortlisted candidates may be contacted during May 2025 for additional information about their proposed projects.
• Final selection will be made by the end of May 2026.
• Successful candidates will be contacted during June 2025.

Note: These dates are subject to change and will be updated accordingly.

🗓️ Application Deadline

15 February 2026

🔗 Application Portal

For more details and to apply, visit the official STIAS Iso Lomso Fellowship Application Portal.

• an economy return flight;
• comfortable accommodation within walking distance from the institute;
• individual offices equipped with a PC, telephone and 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 child care subsidy for fellows accompanied by young children while in residence.