Iso Lomso aims to address the gap that exists between completion of the Ph.D. and becoming an established scholar in Africa. While there is increasing support for doctoral study and for post-doctoral fellowships, it is during the extended post-doctoral period that the greatest loss of talent occurs.
Fellows are expected to be present at STIAS for the duration of their STIAS residency, with no academic obligations other than pursuing the proposed research project. The only other duties are to share in the discussion over lunch which is served daily, and to participate in the Thursday STIAS fellows’ seminar where fellows in turn present their work to other fellows and invited academics from the local community.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible applicants must:
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Be a national of any African country;
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Be born after the 1st of January 1979;
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Have an affiliation at a research or higher education institution in an African country, and continue to do so for the foreseeable future;
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Have obtained a doctoral degree from any recognised higher education institution (worldwide) after the 1st of January 2014;
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Have completed a post-doctoral fellowship or equivalent post-PhD research programme;
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Be in a position to commence a first period of residency at STIAS during 2022.
Offered Benefits
The main means of support is STIAS residencies. Residential periods will be agreed mutually between the fellow, his or her home institution and STIAS, and may vary between six weeks and five months per residency. A first period of residency will typically be of longer duration to be taken up during 2022, followed by two further residencies through 2024. While in residence fellows receive regular STIAS fellow support which includes:
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an economy return flight;
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comfortable accommodation within walking distance from the institute;
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individual offices equipped with a PC, telephone and printer;
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a monthly stipend for daily living costs;
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access to the Stellenbosch University library (including electronic resources) and a high-speed internet connection;
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participation in the regular STIAS fellows programme, including daily lunch, weekly fellows’ seminars, STIAS public lectures and social events;
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a child care subsidy for fellows accompanied by young children while in residence.
Iso Lomso fellows’ home institution will be eligible to apply for a lecturer 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. It will be the fellow and the home institution’s responsibility to recruit replacement lecturers.
While not in residence at STIAS Iso Lomso fellows will continue their regular academic duties at their home institution. During these periods fellows may apply for a range of research sponsorship interventions. These elements will be considered in a flexible manner to ensure that each fit optimally into the research programme. They may include:
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a subsequent residency at a sister Institute for Advanced Study or relevant research institution in North America, Europe or elsewhere (this will form part of the ten months’ residency allocation; the fellow’s preferences for potential host institutions will be considered);
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funding to attend up to two relevant academic conferences or research training events (covering travel, accommodation and
