JIAS ‘26 Writing Fellowship

The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) invites applications for its ninth Writing Fellowship programme, which will run from 1 April - 30 June 2026.The 2026 Writing Fellowship centres the theme of Global Blackness. 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 will also be considered.

The fellowship invites applications from established scholars, creative practitioners, and thought leaders, with preference given to individuals in, from or closely aligned to Global South contexts. Applicants should submit a clear motivation, outlining a definite writing project (such as a book in progress) or creative project (such as a new body of work) they plan to work towards over the residency period, as well as why Johannesburg (and JIAS) presents a meaningful location in which to nurture their practice. JIAS welcomes exploratory, interdisciplinary research projects, as well as collective-based projects. Past fellows have included novelists, poets, playwrights, scientists, independent researchers, and journalists.

The fellowship invites applications from: 

• Established scholars holding a PhD with demonstrated engagement in their field through publications or research.

• Creative practitioners with a strong track record of exhibitions, artistic projects, or interdisciplinary research (PhD not a requirement).

• Applicants from or aligned with Global South contexts are preferred, as are women and gender-diverse applicants of colour. 

Applicants should propose a definite long form writing or creative project and explain why Johannesburg (and JIAS) presents a meaningful location in which to nurture their practice. JIAS welcomes exploratory and interdisciplinary research projects. Past fellows have included novelists, poets, playwrights, scientists, independent researchers, and journalists.

The JIAS Writing Fellowship offers a productive platform for experimental research and creative work in the Global South, allowing space and time for thinking and making, without the regular constraints of academic/professional life, such as teaching, marking, and administration. As such, fellows are expected to keep outside scholarly commitments to a minimum over the 3-month residency period.

Eligibility:

Writing Fellowship applicants should hold a PhD qualification and show meaningful engagement within their field(s) of research (such as publications and research projects). Creative practitioner applicants need not have a PhD, but should demonstrate a strong track record of exhibitions, projects, and interdisciplinary research. Preference may be granted to applicants from or closely aligned to Global South contexts, as well as women and gender-diverse applicants of colour.

Scholarly and Creative Outputs:

The fellow shall acknowledge JIAS’s support in any publications, presentations, or public outputs resulting from the Writing Fellowship.

All outputs will undergo review with the aim of being submitted to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for subsidy consideration under Research and Creative Output submissions, subject to the department’s review processes and approvals.

Each Writing Fellow will receive:

·      Flights (single return economy ticket, to and from Johannesburg)

·      Accommodation in a private residential suite at JIAS

·      Daily breakfast and lunch during the week (Mon-Fri, excluding on South African public holidays).

·      Enrichment activities

·      Access to the facilities of the nearby University of Johannesburg

·      A taxable award (total budget over 3 months: R90 000)

How to apply (applications are now open):

Applicants must share the following as PDF documents to: jiasinfo@uj.ac.za, with the email subject line: “2026 Writing Fellowship Application [insert full name]”

·      CV

·      Bio (may include links to websites or other relevant resources)

·      Headshot

·      Brief letter of motivation on why Johannesburg and JIAS present a meaningful location for the proposed research project (max 250 words)

·      Research project outline, detailing a definite writing project (such as a book in progress) or creative project (such as a new body of work) you plan to work towards or complete over the residency period. This can include a synopsis or abstract for publications, screenplays or scripts, or an artist’s statement/project outline for creative projects (max 1000 words).

·      Two full drafts of the proposed project (5000 to 10000 words each).

·      Book contracts as well as notes of acceptance from editors can be included in the PDF document as well. Priority will be given to applicants that demonstrate serious advancement in their respective project. Where relevant, images and links can be included in the PDF document.

Application Deadline: 31 October 2025, midnight SAST

Virtual interviews of long-listed applicants will be during the first week of December.