JIAS Writing Fellowship – FAQ

The 2026 JIAS Writing Fellowship runs from 1 April to 30 June 2026. It is a three-month residential programme hosted at JIAS in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 2026 Writing Fellowship centres Global Blackness as the anchor research stream at the Institute. At JIAS, this term signals our commitment to exploring the multiplicity of Black experiences, intellectual traditions, and perspectives, as well as modes of Black theory. Fellows are invited to consider:

·       The geographies, practices, and theories of Blackness.

·       How Blackness is instantiated across different spacetimes.

Strong projects outside of this thematic area will also be considered.

The fellowship invites applications from:

·       Established scholars holding a PhD with demonstrated engagement in their field through peer-reviewed publications or funded and implemented research projects.

·       Creative practitioners with a strong track record of exhibitions, projects, or

·       interdisciplinary research (PhD not required). Applicants from or aligned with Global South contexts are strongly encouraged to apply, as are women and gender-diverse applicants of colour.

Applicants should propose a strong writing or creative project (e.g., book, journal article, manuscript, or new artistic body of written work) and explain why Johannesburg and JIAS provide a meaningful environment for their work. Successful applicants will have submitted strong writing samples (1 – 2 chapters) from the work-in-progress which they intend to work on during their fellowship stay.

Selected Fellows will receive:

·       Single return economy ticket to and from Johannesburg.

·       Accommodation at JIAS.

·       Daily breakfast and lunch (Monday–Friday, excluding South African public holidays); fellows see to their own dinner and weekend meals. (Fellows may use the communal kitchens on the micro campus to prepare dinner and weekend meals or frequent restaurants in surrounding Melville, Westdene, and beyond.)JIAS will, to the best of its ability, accommodate dietary requirements within reasonable means.

·       Taxable monthly award to the value of R90,000 over the 3-month residency.

·       Access to facilities of the University of Johannesburg.

·       Enrichment activities.

·       A peaceful and enabling environment for writing and creative work.

Under the Fellowship Agreement, Fellows are expected to:

·       Present work-in-progress at a JIAS seminar for feedback and intellectual exchange.

·       Attend and engage in JIAS-hosted events such as lectures, panel discussions, and symposia.

·       Contribute to interdisciplinary dialogues and collaborative engagements with other Fellows and the JIAS community.

·       Produce and submit a substantial peer reviewed research or creative output within 18 months of the Fellowship’s conclusion (e.g., book manuscript, chapter, journal article, research paper, creative work).

·       Acknowledge JIAS support in any publications, presentations, or outputs resulting from the Fellowship.

·       Submit a progress report 8 months post the fellowship.

Fellows are encouraged to keep outside scholarly or professional commitments to a minimum during the residency. While opportunities will be provided to stimulate intellectual engagement, the core purpose of the Writing Fellowship is to provide Fellows with a conducive, quiet environment to write and produce the original work proposed in their applications.

JIAS supports original, experimental, cutting-edge research and research-informed creative work that push the boundaries of knowledge. These include:

·       Academic writing projects (peer reviewed books, monographs, research papers).

·       Creative works (novels, poetry, plays, screenplays, artistic bodies of work).

·       Interdisciplinary and exploratory research.

Applicants should submit the following in PDF format to jiasinfo@uj.ac.za, with the subject line:

2026 Writing Fellowship Application – [Full Name]

Required documents:

·       CV, bio, and headshot (may include links).

·       Motivation statement (max 250 words) explaining why JIAS and Johannesburg are meaningful for the project.

·       Detailed project outline (max 1000 words) including synopsis, abstract, or artist’s statement. Images and links may be included if relevant.

·       Writing sample (1 – 2 chapters) from proposed work-in-progress.

·       Applications closed on 31 October 2025 (midnight SAST).

·       Virtual interviews for long-listed applicants will be held by early December 2025.

·       Successful applicants will be notified thereafter.

Yes. JIAS may terminate a Fellowship if a Fellow fails to meet responsibilities (be present at JIAS during the residency, present their work-in- progress during the seminar), presents danger to themselves and other members of the JIAS community or engages in misconduct that compromises the integrity of the programme.

Fellows are expected to reside in Johannesburg for the full three months. Any absences must be approved before the start of the residency and should not disrupt participation.

·       Day-to-day issues can be addressed with primary programme contacts.

·       Any unresolved concerns should be reported to the Programmes and Research Manager, Ms. Zanele Madiba, at zmadiba@uj.ac.za.

Fellows join the JIAS alumni network, remaining connected to the Institute and its global community of researchers, writers, and creative practitioners.