Visiting Scholars Programme

Social Scientists’ Association (SSA)

Colombo, Sri Lanka
February 2026

Introduction
Recognizing the importance of fostering cross-regional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative research, Social Scientists’ Association (SSA), one of the oldest social sciences think tanks based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is introducing a Visiting Scholars Programme. This initiative aims to host international and regional scholars whose work focuses on Sri Lanka or the South Asian region, offering them a platform to engage with local academic, policy, and activist communities. The Visiting Scholars Programme is an opportunity for engaged scholars to immerse themselves in the intellectual and socio-political landscape of Sri Lanka and South Asia. With an equitable vision of society in mind, SSA seeks to deepen regional scholarship and contribute to the global understanding of complex socio-political dynamics within the region through mutual learning and collaboration.

Objectives
The Visiting Scholars Programme is designed to:

  • Promote high-quality, interdisciplinary research on Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region.
  • Facilitate intellectual exchange between local and international scholars.
  • Strengthen collaborative networks between universities, think tanks, and civil society actors globally.
  • Create opportunities for visiting scholars to contribute to local scholarly and policy debates.

Duration
The programme will host scholars for periods ranging from one month to one year, depending on research needs and mutual agreement.

Facilities and Support
SSA will provide:

  • Formal institutional affiliation during residency in Sri Lanka
  • Visa assistance
  • Access to research networks, including academic institutions, civil society actors, and policy forums
  • Workspace and access to SSA library resources
  • Opportunities to engage with in-house researchers and ongoing projects relevant to scholars

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:

  • Hold a Master’s degree or PhD in a social science discipline (eg. political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, geography, linguistics etc.) OR demonstrate a strong research interest in a social science discipline.
  • Be affiliated with a recognized academic or research institution in their country of residence or origin.
  • Demonstrate clear research interests related to Sri Lanka or wider South Asia.
  • Show evidence of financial means to support travel, accommodation, and living expenses in Sri Lanka for the duration of their stay.

Responsibilities of scholars
Selected visiting scholars will be expected to:

  • Conduct at least one public lecture, seminar, or workshop during their stay.
  • Participate in SSA events, discussions, and collaborative initiatives as appropriate.
  • Acknowledge the affiliation with SSA in any publications or other research output derived from research conducted during the residency.
  • Submit a brief end-of-stay report summarizing activities and outcomes of the programme.

Application Process
Interested scholars must submit the following in English:

  • A 1-2 page cover letter outlining research interests, objectives, and the proposed length of the residency.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than five pages detailing the applicant’s experience and qualifications.
  • A 2-4 page Research proposal indicating relevance to Sri Lanka/South Asia, methodology, and expected outcomes.
  • Proof of institutional affiliation
  • Evidence of funding (e.g. grant letters, institutional support letters, or bank statements).
  • Contact details of two academic or professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to applications with demonstrated regional relevance and potential for collaboration.

Programme Fees
A facilitation fee will be charged to cover administrative support, workspace, visa-related documentation, and engagement facilitation. The amount will vary based on the duration of stay and other factors and will be communicated upon initial acceptance.

Inquiries

For inquiries related to the programme and application submissions, please contact:

Shashik Silva, Chief Operating Officer (COO),
info@ssalanka.org / ssainfolanka@gmail.com