The IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship 2027–2028 is a nine-month residential programme for early- to mid-career researchers and knowledge professionals. It combines a three-month placement at a co-host institution with a six-month residency at the International Institute for Asian Studies in Leiden, the Netherlands. Funded and self-funded participation categories are available, and applications must be submitted by 10 September 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Asia in the World Fellowship Programme
Category: Residential research fellowship
Host: International Institute for Asian Studies
Location: Co-host institution followed by IIAS in Leiden, the Netherlands
Duration: Nine months
Cohorts: September 2027–May 2028 and March–November 2028
Application Period: 1 July–10 September 2026
Funding Status: Funded academic and self-funded participation categories
Eligible Applicants: Researchers, academics, and independent knowledge professionals
About the Asia in the World Fellowship Programme
The International Institute for Asian Studies developed the programme to support research and collaboration that place Asia within wider global formations. It moves beyond a single regional or North–South framework by connecting fellows with institutions across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.
The fellowship is intended for applicants who want to broaden their work beyond a specific geography, discipline, or institution. Projects should contribute to Asian Studies while encouraging exchange between academic and non-academic forms of knowledge.
Fellowship Structure
The programme consists of two consecutive phases.
Phase 1: Co-Host Institution
Fellows spend three months at one of the programme’s co-host institutions.
During this phase, fellows are expected to:
✓ Engage with the host institution’s academic and professional community
✓ Participate in relevant local activities
✓ Deliver a talk or lecture
✓ Join online meetings with the IIAS Fellowship Programme coordinator
Applicants select four preferred co-host institutions in the application form. However, the final placement is determined by the selection committee in consultation with partner institutions and cannot be guaranteed.
Phase 2: IIAS Residency in Leiden
The second phase consists of six months at IIAS, which is based at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Fellows receive access to:
✓ Shared office space
✓ A private seminar room
✓ Leiden University library facilities
✓ A screening room
✓ IIAS workshops, discussions, and community activities
✓ Opportunities to contribute to publications, podcasts, and events
Each cohort also works together to organise an event presenting the diversity and critical scope of Asian Studies to the Leiden University community and wider audiences.
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Research Focus
Proposed projects should examine Asia as part of wider global relationships and formations.
Applications may connect with one or more IIAS thematic clusters, including:
• Cities
• The Politics of Culture
• Asia in the World
• Humanities Across Borders
• Knowledge Diplomacy in Action
The programme particularly encourages interdisciplinary projects and work that connects academic research with non-academic knowledge and practice.
Applicant Categories
The programme accepts applications through three categories. Applicants must select the appropriate category when beginning the official form.
Category A: Academic – Funded
This category is available to:
• Applicants who already hold a PhD
• Candidates whose PhD defence will take place by 30 September 2026
• Academics applying for the programme’s funded modality
Applicants who have not yet completed their PhD must upload a letter from their institution confirming the expected completion date.
Category B: Academic – Self-Funded
This category is available to PhD holders and candidates whose defence will take place by the stated September 2026 deadline.
Applicants must have confirmed external or personal funding covering the full nine-month fellowship period.
Category C: Independent Professional – Self-Funded
This category is designed for independent knowledge professionals with a relevant professional track record.
Potential applicants include:
• Journalists
• Writers
• Diplomats
• Policymakers
• Curators
• Other professionals whose work aligns with the programme
Category C applicants must have confirmed external or personal funding for the entire fellowship period.
Applicants in all categories need a good command of English.
Funding for Academic Fellows
Category A fellows receive financial and institutional support during the programme. The arrangements differ between the co-host phase and the IIAS residency.
Confirmed support includes:
✓ A stipend during the three-month co-host phase, with the amount determined and provided by the host institution according to its local context and practices
✓ A gross monthly stipend of €1,250 during the six-month IIAS residency
✓ A monthly housing allowance of €1,200 during the Leiden residency
✓ A contribution toward approved travel between the fellow’s country of residence, the co-host institution, the Netherlands, and the fellow’s home country
✓ Access to IIAS professional-development activities
✓ Access to IIAS and Leiden University facilities
✓ Visa and residence-permit support, subject to applicable immigration requirements
The stipend contributes to living expenses and is not considered a salary or employment income. Fellows are responsible for finding and securing their own accommodation in Leiden. IIAS provides a list of rental agencies but does not guarantee housing availability.
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Support for Self-Funded Fellows
Category B and Category C fellows do not receive the Category A financial package. However, they are included in the academic and professional activities of the programme.
Confirmed support includes:
✓ Visa and residence-permit support for the Netherlands, subject to immigration requirements
✓ A list of trusted rental agencies
✓ Access to IIAS office and university facilities
✓ Full participation in IIAS community activities, workshops, and events
Self-funded fellows remain responsible for financing and securing their accommodation and other expenses.
Key Fellowship Conditions
All selected fellows must commit to the complete nine-month programme. Early departure is not permitted.
Additional conditions include:
• The fellowship may not be combined with another fellowship.
• Funded academic fellows may not combine the programme with an employment contract.
• Employed applicants must obtain an official release from their institution covering the full fellowship period.
• Valid health insurance covering the Netherlands is mandatory throughout the Leiden phase.
• Research outputs must acknowledge IIAS and the relevant co-host institution.
• IIAS does not finance external conferences, symposia, or fieldwork undertaken during the fellowship.
• Applicants must read and accept the full programme terms and conditions before submission.
Information Required in the Application
The application form requests personal, academic, professional, and project-related information.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
• Personal and contact details
• Current institutional or professional affiliation
• PhD information, where applicable
• Educational or professional-training background
• Relevant academic and non-academic experience
• A preferred fellowship cohort
• A research-project title
• A project description of up to 800 words
• A methodology and state-of-the-art section of up to 500 words
• A work plan of up to 500 words
• Expected outcomes of up to 300 words
• Information about relevant language skills
• A rationale for the preferred co-host institutions
• An explanation of the project’s contribution to understanding Asia in global contexts
• The anticipated academic, policy, institutional, cultural, or public impact
• An explanation of why IIAS is relevant to the proposed work
Applicants must also select four preferred co-host institutions and explain the reasons for those choices.
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Required Documents
Applicants must upload a curriculum vitae through the official application form.
Other materials include:
• A letter confirming the expected PhD defence date, when the degree has not yet been completed
• A list of publications, when applicable
• A writing sample, publication, video, audio file, or other work sample, when applicable
The curriculum vitae and publication list have a maximum file size of 4 MB each. Applicants may upload up to three work-sample files, with a combined limit governed by the application form.
Two reference letters are not required during the initial application stage. Shortlisted applicants will later be asked to provide two references and participate in an online introductory meeting.
Application Integrity Requirement
Before submitting the form, applicants must confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.
They must also confirm that the application:
• Was written by the applicant
• Reflects the applicant’s own ideas and experiences
• Was not generated entirely or predominantly using artificial-intelligence tools
• Meets the eligibility requirements of the selected applicant category
False or misleading information may lead to disqualification or termination of the fellowship.
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How to Submit an Application
Applications must be completed through the form available on the official IIAS programme page.
Applicants should:
• Select the correct funded or self-funded applicant category.
• Complete all required personal and professional fields.
• Prepare the research proposal and supporting statements within the stated word limits.
• Select four preferred co-host institutions.
• Upload the curriculum vitae and applicable supporting materials.
• Read and accept the programme’s terms and conditions.
• Submit the complete form by 10 September 2026.
The form allows applicants to save a draft temporarily. However, the draft cannot be retrieved after the browser is closed. Applicants should therefore prepare their answers separately and complete the form carefully.
Selection Process
The selection process has two main stages.
First, applicants submit the completed application and required documents through the IIAS website. The programme then reviews the submitted materials and prepares a shortlist.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to:
• Provide two reference letters
• Participate in an online introductory meeting
Shortlisting notifications are expected by December 2026. The final selection announcement is scheduled for March 2027. Any changes to this timeline will be published on the official programme page.
Key Dates
• Application period: 1 July–10 September 2026
• Online information session: 13 August 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 CEST
• Shortlisting notification: By December 2026
• Final selection announcement: By March 2027
• Cohort 1: September 2027–May 2028
• Cohort 2: March–November 2028
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application form on the programme page.
