Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) Writing Fellowship Programme 2025

 The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) invites applications for its ninth Writing Fellowship programme, which will run from 1 April – 30 June 2025.

The 2025 Writing Fellowship centers on the theme of Global Blackness. At JIAS, we use the term “global Blackness” to signal our investment in exploring the multiplicity of Black experience, intellectual traditions, and perspectives as well as modes of Black theory.

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.

• Table of Content
• About Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS)
• JIAS Writing Fellowship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of JIAS Writing Fellowship Programme
• Requirements for JIAS Writing Fellowship Programme Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS)

The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) is an institute based at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Although only launched in May 2015 as the first fully-fledged institute for advanced learning in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic and political heartland, JIAS has grown to be one of the leading institutes of its kind based in the African continent. Its purpose is to promote advanced research in the humanities and natural sciences, beyond the regular teaching and research activities at institutions of higher learning.... continue reading

JIAS Writing Fellowship Programme

Aim and Benefits of JIAS Writing Fellowship Programme

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)
• Monthly enrichment activities
• Access to the facilities of the nearby University of Johannesburg
• A taxable monthly stipend (total budget over 3 months: ZAR 90 000)

Requirements for JIAS Writing Fellowship Programme Qualification

• Writing Fellowship applicants should hold a PhD qualification and demonstrate 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 colou

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applicants should share the following as PDF documents to: [email protected], with the following email subject line: “2025 Writing Fellowship Application [insert full name]”

• CV, bio & headshot (may include links to websites or other relevant resources)

• Brief 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 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). Where relevant, images and links can be included in the PDF document.

.For more details,visit JIAS website