IAS UM6P
Institute for Advanced Studies
The Institute for Advanced Studies at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic hosts outstanding scholars, researchers, and artists in residence to pursue ambitious work, exchange across disciplines, and build new knowledge from Morocco to the world.
Applications are open. Residencies typically run 2 to 6 months and welcome scholars, researchers, and artists working across the sciences, humanities, and creative practice.
Advancing Human Knowledge
at the Frontier
IAS UM6P convenes scholars across disciplines and geographies to think freely, collaborate deeply, and produce work that matters within Morocco, across Africa, and internationally.
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.
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.
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.
Your Home for Bold Thinking
The IAS UM6P Residency offers a fully supported setting for independent research, multidisciplinary exchange, and long-form scholarly work on one of Africa’s most dynamic university campuses.
Applications are open to researchers, scholars, and artists at all career stages. Selection follows the official IAS call windows announced each year.
Current Residents
Scholars, researchers, and artists from around the world currently in residence at IAS UM6P, bringing diverse perspectives to our interdisciplinary community.
Research Chairs
Three internationally recognized chairs anchoring IAS UM6P’s research agenda at the cutting edge of global scholarship.
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.
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.
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.
Intellectual Life at IAS UM6P
Podcasts, publishing, workshops, and documentary projects that extend IAS research into public intellectual life.
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →Events & Seminars
Weekly seminars, public lectures, and international conferences hosted at IAS UM6P. Open to the academic community and the public.
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.
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.
Submit Your Application
Prepare your project proposal, CV, and motivation letter during the published IAS application window.
Selection & Invitation
The IAS scientific committee reviews applications after each call closes and notifies selected candidates during the response period.
Arrive & Begin
Selected residents are welcomed in Benguerir and supported by the IAS team as they settle into the campus and research community.