Iso Lomso means ‘the eye of tomorrow’ in isiXhosa: seeing towards the future, laying the foundations for tomorrow. The programme is aimed at African scholars who have obtained a doctoral degree within the preceding seven years and who hold an academic position at a university or research institution anywhere in Africa. Candidates should have established a research programme and have completed a post-doctoral fellowship or equivalent post-PhD programme. All disciplines are considered.
Iso Lomso fellowships provide a three-year attachment to STIAS to enable fellows to develop and conduct a long-term research programme of their preference. The aim is to facilitate and support them towards becoming established scholars in their fields.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2025 call, applicants must:
- Be a national of any African country;
- Be born after the 1st of January 1983;
- 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) after the 1st of January 2017;
- 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 2026.
Offered Benefits
While in residence fellows receive regular STIAS fellow support which includes:
- 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.
Residence at STIAS
A three-year attachment to STIAS during which time you may spend a total of ten months in residence at STIAS to develop and pursue a long-term research project
Links to sister institutions
The possibility of a residency at a partner institute for advanced study or other research intensive institution abroad
International conferences
Funding to attend up to two international conferences or training workshops anywhere in the world
Your own workshop
Support to convene a workshop with collaborators at STIAS or at their home institution
Support for your institution
Lecturer replacement subsidy for your home institution during residency periods
