Applications are open for the Decolonizing Humanities Fellowship 2026, an international research program hosted by the Department of Anthropology at Universitas Indonesia with support from Gerda Henkel Stiftung.

The fellowship invites mid-career scholars from Africa and Southeast Asia (excluding Indonesia) to participate in a collaborative academic initiative aimed at advancing humanities research grounded in Global South perspectives and decolonial scholarship.

Fellowship Overview

The program responds to longstanding structural imbalances in global humanities research, where colonial and Eurocentric frameworks continue to dominate academic discourse.

Through sustained collaboration, research development, and scholarly exchange, the fellowship creates space for scholars to:

• Reimagine humanities concepts through decolonial thinking
• Strengthen South-to-South academic partnerships
• Produce research rooted in alternative epistemologies
• Contribute to global debates from Global South perspectives

Selected fellows will spend 6–12 months based at Universitas Indonesia engaging in research, teaching, and collaborative knowledge production.

Program Objectives

The fellowship seeks to:

• Advance humanities scholarship led by Global South researchers
• Foster long-term collaboration between African and Southeast Asian institutions
• Support publication development and curriculum innovation
• Strengthen interdisciplinary teaching and research networks
• Promote new methodological approaches challenging colonial knowledge systems

Fellowship Activities

During the residency period, fellows will participate in a structured academic program that includes:

1. Academic Colloquiums

• An initial closed research presentation with faculty and peers
• A final public colloquium presenting research outcomes and insights

2. Research Output

• Preparation of at least one working paper linked to the fellowship project

3. Teaching Engagement

• Delivery of seminars, workshops, or guest lectures within departmental courses
• Collaboration with lecturers and student communities

4. Collaborative Research Development

• Participation in interdisciplinary research teams exploring decolonial methodologies

5. Knowledge Dissemination

• Sharing findings through publications, public discussions, and digital platforms

Expected Outcomes

• Up to two fellows selected annually
• Academic publications and teaching innovations
• Public colloquia and open-access knowledge dissemination
• Expanded scholarly networks between Africa and Southeast Asia
• Strengthened international collaboration capacity at Universitas Indonesia

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 30 April 2026 (23:59 GMT+7) through the official application platform.