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The Asia in the World Fellowship Programme

Training · Social and health

The Asia in the World Fellowship Programme

Designed to promote innovative research and global collaboration in Asian Studies, ensuring that the fellowship benefits both individual researchers and the broader academic community.

The Asia in the World Fellowship Programme

The International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) introduces a groundbreaking fellowship programme that transforms traditional approaches to Asian Studies. 

Moving beyond conventional North–South dynamics and regional frameworks, this innovative programme fosters a truly global dialogue through a distinctive two-phase nine-month structure: a three-month residency at a partner institution in Asia, Africa, Latin America, or Europe (Phase 1), followed by a six-month stay at IIAS, Leiden University, in the Netherlands (Phase 2). During the first phase, fellows in the same cohort will participate in online meetings with the coordinator of the IIAS Fellowship Programme.

The ‘Asia in the World’ programme is designed to promote innovative research and global collaboration in Asian Studies, ensuring that the fellowship benefits both individual researchers and the broader academic community. The co-hosting model helps sustain our ambition to make it a truly multi-centred mode of knowledge production and collaborative exchange.

Online information session 

Join our online information session on Thursday 13 August 2026. You will find the Teams link under 'Online information session' near the bottom of this page.

About the Programme

The IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship is a nine-month residential programme for early- to mid-career researchers and knowledge professionals who seek to broaden their perspectives beyond their particular geography, institution, or discipline. 

From 2025 onward, the fellowship has been redesigned from this round onward to select two cohorts per round — making the programme more sustainable and enabling IIAS to support a wider community of fellows each year.

Programme Structure

Phase 1 Three months at a co-host institution. Fellows are expected to give a talk or a lecture and engage with local activities.

Phase 2 Six month in residence at IIAS in Leiden. Includes access to a shared office space, private seminar room, university library, and a screening room.

Cohort 1 September 2027 - end of May 2028

Cohort 2 March 2028 - end of November 2028

Who Can Apply

The programme is open to three categories of applicants. When you begin the application form, you will be asked to select your category — the form will then present the relevant fields accordingly. Please note that a good command of English is required to apply for the fellowship.

Category A: Academic - Funded
  • PhD holders, or candidates whose defence takes place no later than September 2026
  • Applying for the Asia in the world fully funded modality
Category B: Academic - Self-Funded
  • PhD holders, or candidates whose defence takes place no later than September 2026
  • With confirmed external or personal funding for the full period
Category C: Independent Professional – Self-Funded
  • Journalists, writers, diplomats, policy makers, curators, and other professionals
  • With a relevant track record in their field
  • With confirmed external or personal funding for the full period

Research Focus

Projects should engage with Asia as part of wider global formations and may align with one or more IIAS thematic clusters: Cities, The Politics of Culture, Asia in the World, Humanities Across Borders, Knowledge Diplomacy in Action. Interdisciplinary approaches and projects bridging academic and non-academic knowledge are strongly encouraged.

What IIAS Offers

Category A — Funded Academic Fellows
  • Monthly stipend €1,250 gross per month during the Leiden residency (Phase 2). The stipend for Phase 1 is determined and provided by the co-host institution, taking into account its local context and applicable practices. The stipend is intended as a contribution towards the fellow's living expenses during each phase of the programme and does not constitute a salary, employment income, or remuneration for services rendered.
  • Housing allowance €1,200 per month towards accommodation costs during Phase 2. Fellows are responsible for finding and securing their own accommodation in Leiden or the surrounding area. IIAS will provide a list of rental agencies to assist in this search but cannot guarantee the availability or suitability of any specific property.
  • Travel grant A contribution towards travel costs covering: (i) travel from the fellow's country of residence to the co-host institution; (ii) travel from the co-host institution to the Netherlands; and (iii) return travel home upon completion of the fellowship. Travel arrangements must be made in accordance with IIAS guidelines. Costs incurred outside the approved travel plan will not be reimbursed.
  • Professional development Access to IIAS-organised outings, workshops, and enrichment activities during the fellowship period.
  • University facilities Access to IIAS office space, seminar rooms, library, and screening room on equal terms with all other fellows.
  • Visa support Leiden University will act as the issuing institution for residence permit applications for the Netherlands, subject to the fellow meeting all applicable Dutch immigration requirements. The co-host institution will provide the fellow with information and guidance regarding the visa procedures applicable to Phase 1.
Categories B & C — Self-Funded Fellows
  • Visa support Leiden University will act as the issuing institution for residence permit applications for the Netherlands, subject to the fellow meeting all applicable Dutch immigration requirements. 
  • Accommodation assistance IIAS will provide a list of trusted rental agencies in Leiden. Fellows are responsible for securing and financing their own accommodation.
  • University facilities Access to IIAS office space, seminar rooms, library, and screening room on equal terms with all other fellows.
  • Programme participation Full inclusion in all IIAS community activities, workshops, and events.

Key Conditions

  • Fellows must commit to the full 9-month duration. Early departure is not permitted.
  • For Category A — Funded Academic Fellows: The fellowship may not be combined with another fellowship or employment contract. Applicants currently employed must obtain official release from their institution for the full period. Valid health insurance covering the Netherlands is mandatory throughout the Leiden residency. International Service Center of Leiden University can provide advice on this.
  • For Categories B & C — Self-Funded Fellows: The fellowship may not be combined with another fellowship. Applicants currently employed must obtain official release from their institution for the full period. Valid health insurance covering the Netherlands is mandatory throughout the Leiden residency. International Service Center of Leiden University can provide advice on this.
  • All outputs must acknowledge IIAS and the relevant co-host institution.
  • IIAS does not fund participation in external conferences, symposia or fieldwork during the fellowship period.

A full version of the Terms & Conditions — including policies on early termination, image and media rights, data protection, and all fellowship obligations — must be carefully read and accepted before submission.


Timeline

Application period 1 July 2026 - 10 September 2026

Shortlisting notification By December 2026

Final selection announcement By March 2027

Selection process

The selection process consists of two stages:

  1. Application through the IIAS website Applicants must submit the completed application form and all required documents via the IIAS Fellowship Application Form.
  2. Shortlisting Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to:
  3. I. Provide two reference letters;
  4. II. An online introductory meeting (additional information will be provided).

Any changes to the timeline will be posted on this webpage.