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Institute for Advanced Studies  ·  University Mohammed VI Polytechnic

Where Knowledge
Knows No Boundaries

A place where the world’s leading scholars converge to pursue bold ideas, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and shape the future of knowledge at the heart of Africa’s most ambitious university.

+ Residents
+ Countries
Research Chairs
+ Seminars & Events
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Our Mission

Advancing Human Knowledge
at the Frontier

IAS UM6P is a sanctuary for rigorous inquiry, bringing together scholars from every discipline and every continent to think freely, collaborate deeply, and produce knowledge that matters.

Multidisciplinary Research

Scholars from the humanities, natural sciences, arts, and social sciences converge to tackle the most complex questions of our time, together, across disciplinary borders.

01

Global Scholarly Network

We connect researchers from 15+ countries, building bridges between Africa and the world’s leading academic institutions through sustained intellectual exchange and collaboration.

02

Transformative Impact

From publishable research and public lectures to policy-shaping dialogues, our residents’ work reverberates far beyond campus, contributing to Morocco, Africa, and the global conversation.

03
Residency Program
“Reside. Research. Transform.”

Your Home for Bold Thinking

The IAS UM6P Residency offers exceptional scholars a fully supported environment to pursue independent research, engage with a vibrant multidisciplinary community, and produce work of lasting importance, on one of Africa’s most dynamic university campuses.


Furnished Housing On-campus accommodation in the Mohammed VI Green City, Benguerir
Flexible Duration Residencies from 2 to 6 months, structured around your research needs
Research Support Access to UM6P’s labs, libraries, and research infrastructure
Scholarly Community Weekly seminars, colloquia, and cross-disciplinary exchanges with resident peers
Publication Pathways Access to UM6P Press and editorial support for books, papers, and public writing
UM6P Network Connect with Africa’s largest research ecosystem, across 10 schools and 2,000+ researchers

Applications open to researchers, scholars, and artists at all career stages. Residencies are available year-round.

20+
Active Residents
Scholars at IAS UM6P UM6P Campus
Our Community

Current Residents

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Scholars, researchers, and artists from around the world currently in residence at IAS UM6P, bringing diverse perspectives to our interdisciplinary community.

Academic Excellence

Research Chairs

Three internationally recognized chairs anchoring IAS UM6P’s research agenda at the cutting edge of global scholarship.

01
Humanities & Social Sciences

Chair of Transitions

Exploring the great transformations reshaping our world, political, ecological, technological, and epistemic. A platform for rigorous dialogue between social theory, philosophy, and the empirical study of change.

Prof. Raphael Liogier
Prof. Raphaël Liogier Chair Holder · IAS UM6P
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02
Earth & Environmental Sciences

Global Critical Zone Science Chair

Advancing the science of the Critical Zone, Earth’s thin, life-sustaining outer layer. Addressing climate change, soil health, and water resources through interdisciplinary field science across multiple continents.

Prof. Daniel Nahon
Prof. Daniel Nahon Chair Holder · IAS UM6P
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03
Physics & Photonics

Chair in Optical Sciences & Photonics

Pushing the frontiers of light-matter interaction, from ultrafast photonics to advanced optical imaging. Bridging fundamental physics with transformative applications in materials science, biomedical optics, and photonic engineering.

Prof. Zouheir Sekkat
Prof. Zouheir Sekkat Scientific Director & Chair Holder · IAS UM6P
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Initiatives & Programs

Intellectual Life at IAS UM6P

Podcasts, workshops, publications, and documentary projects born from the spirit of inquiry that animates our community.

AnthropoPolitik
Podcast · 2 Seasons

AnthropoPolitik: Débats & Perspectives

An intellectual discussion series probing postcolonial knowledge, technoscience, identity, and globalization hosted by Montassir Sakhi with leading international scholars.

Discover the series →
UM6P Press
Publishing

UM6P Press, Amplifying Knowledge

A scholarly publishing platform disseminating first-hand knowledge across Africa and beyond; from PhD series and applied sciences to critical studies and literature.

Browse publications →
Trajectoires
Documentary

Trajectoires, Documenting Excellence

A documentary project capturing the intellectual and personal journeys of UM6P students and alumni of Lycée Mohammed VI d’Excellence, 24 voices, 2 generations.

Watch the series →
The Infinite Dialogue
Podcast · Book

The Infinite Dialogue

Where philosophy meets mathematics. A profound conversation between Raphaël Liogier and Gregory Chaitin exploring infinity, consciousness, indeterminacy, and the nature of reality.

Enter the dialogue →
Writing Workshop Series
Workshop

Writing Workshop Series

Led by Dr. Wale Okediran, award-winning Nigerian novelist & former MP, this immersive workshop explores storytelling, travel writing, and creative expression across borders.

Explore the workshop →
Academic Calendar

Events & Seminars

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Weekly seminars, public lectures, and international conferences hosted at IAS UM6P. Open to the academic community and the public.

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UM6P Campus aerial view
UM6P Campus architecture
UM6P Campus grounds
Life on Campus

The Benguerir Campus

Nestled in Morocco’s Mohammed VI Green City, the UM6P campus is an architectural and intellectual marvel, designed by Ricardo Bofill and Élie Mouyal for a civilization of knowledge.

Just 60 km from Marrakesh, our campus offers state-of-the-art laboratories, seminar rooms, a rich social life, and a serene environment designed to foster deep thinking. Residents enjoy full access to UM6P’s exceptional infrastructure: sports facilities, cultural spaces, dining, and a vibrant student community.

60 km from Marrakesh
10+ Schools & institutes
2,000+ Researchers & students
Join IAS UM6P

Ready to Pursue Your Research
at a World-Class IAS?

Whether you’re an established scholar, an emerging researcher, or a creative artist, IAS UM6P offers the space, the community, and the support to make your most important work possible.

01

Submit Your Application

Applicants should submit a research project proposal, CV, and motivation letter. Applications are evaluated during the official IAS UM6P application windows announced each year.

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Selection & Invitation

Our scientific committee evaluates applications after the close of each application window and invites selected candidates. Applicants are notified during the official response window.

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Arrive & Begin

Upon arrival in Benguerir, residents are welcomed and supported by the IAS team to ensure a smooth integration into the scholarly community and campus environment.

Applications Now Open! For the Fall 2026 Session Residency at IAS–UM6P
Apply Now
Apply Now Fall 2026 Session