Universitas Indonesia Opens Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2027
A new research-driven fellowship aimed at reshaping global humanities discourse has opened applications for 2026, targeting mid-career scholars from Africa and Southeast Asia. Hosted by Universitas Indonesia and supported by the Gerda Henkel Stiftung, the Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship positions itself as a strategic intervention in global academic inequality.
The Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2026 is a funded research program at Universitas Indonesia for mid-career scholars from Africa and Southeast Asia (excluding Indonesia). It offers a 6–12 month residency with a monthly stipend, travel support, and research funding. The program focuses on advancing decolonial approaches in humanities scholarship through collaboration and publication.
At a time when global academia is increasingly scrutinizing Eurocentric dominance in research frameworks, the Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2026 arrives as a targeted response. The program explicitly seeks to empower scholars from the Global South to lead intellectual discourse, rather than participate on its margins.
Unlike conventional fellowships that prioritize mobility toward Western institutions, this initiative reverses the direction—encouraging South-to-South academic exchange. For international scholars working in anthropology, history, philosophy, or cultural studies, this signals a shift toward more regionally grounded research ecosystems.
What the Fellowship Actually Covers?
The funding structure is practical rather than symbolic. Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend to cover living expenses in Indonesia, along with reimbursed international travel costs. Additional support includes visa processing, research material funding, and family allowances—including travel support and grants for children under 18.
The program duration ranges from 6 to 12 months, during which fellows are embedded within the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Indonesia. This is not a passive residency; participants are expected to contribute actively through teaching, seminars, and collaborative research projects.
Eligibility and Competitiveness
The fellowship targets mid-career scholars currently affiliated with academic institutions in Southeast Asia (excluding Indonesia) or African countries. Applicants must demonstrate a clear research focus aligned with decolonial methodologies and a track record of academic output.
Competitiveness is expected to be high. The program supports only up to two fellows per year, making it significantly more selective than many international fellowships. Strong research proposals and evidence of prior scholarly contributions will be critical for shortlisting.
Why This Fellowship Exists?
The initiative is rooted in addressing structural inequities in global knowledge production. Scholars from the Global South often face barriers in accessing funding, publishing platforms, and collaborative networks. This fellowship directly counters those limitations by creating a platform for conceptual innovation grounded in non-Western perspectives.
It also aligns with broader academic trends emphasizing epistemological diversity and regional research leadership, rather than dependency on Global North institutions.
What Scholars Will Actually Do?
Fellows are required to deliver two colloquiums—one internal and one public—produce at least one working paper, and engage in teaching through seminars or workshops. They will also collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects and contribute to public dissemination through journals or digital platforms.
This makes the program particularly suitable for scholars looking to consolidate research into publications or expand their academic influence through teaching and collaboration.
Should You Apply?
This fellowship is best suited for scholars who are already established in academia and want to reposition their research within decolonial frameworks. It is less suitable for early-career applicants or those seeking purely funding-based mobility without academic engagement.
For eligible candidates, however, the value lies not just in funding—but in intellectual positioning within a growing global movement.
The last date to apply for the Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2026 is 30 April 2026 (23:59 GMT+7).