The International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) has opened applications for the Asia in the World Fellowship Programme 2026, an innovative international fellowship designed for early- to mid-career researchers and knowledge professionals interested in exploring Asia within broader global contexts.
Hosted by IIAS with support from Leiden University in the Netherlands, the nine-month residential fellowship offers fellows an opportunity to work across regions, institutions and disciplines.
The programme combines a three-month residency at a partner institution in Asia, Africa, Latin America or Europe with a six-month residency at IIAS in Leiden, the Netherlands.
The programme is designed to move beyond traditional North–South approaches to knowledge production and promote a more collaborative, multi-centred model of research and academic exchange.
Applications for the current round are open from 1 July 2026 to 10 September 2026.
The Asia in the World Fellowship is a nine-month programme for researchers and professionals who want to broaden their perspectives beyond a single geographical region, institution or academic discipline.
The fellowship encourages projects that examine Asia as part of wider global formations and welcomes interdisciplinary and interregional approaches.
From 2025 onward, IIAS redesigned the programme to select two cohorts per round, allowing the institute to support a wider community of fellows each year.
The programme provides fellows with an opportunity to develop their research while engaging with academic communities in two different locations.
Fellowship Structure
The programme consists of two phases.
Phase 1: Three Months at a Co-Host Institution
During the first phase, fellows spend three months at a participating co-host institution. The partner institutions are located across different regions of the world, providing fellows with opportunities to engage with diverse academic and professional environments.
Fellows are expected to give a talk or lecture during their placement and participate in relevant local activities.
During this phase, fellows in the same cohort also participate in online meetings with the coordinator of the IIAS Fellowship Programme.
Phase 2: Six Months at IIAS in Leiden
The second phase consists of six months in residence at IIAS in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Fellows receive access to shared office space, seminar facilities, the university library and a screening room. They can also participate in IIAS activities, workshops, academic discussions and collaborative projects.
The fellowship provides an opportunity to connect with researchers and institutions in Leiden and across Europe while continuing to develop the proposed research project.
Fellowship Cohorts
Two cohorts are available:
- Cohort 1: September 2027 to the end of May 2028
- Cohort 2: March 2028 to the end of November 2028
Applicants can indicate their preferred cohort, although final placement decisions will be made by IIAS in consultation with the relevant co-host institutions.
Who Can Apply?
The programme has three applicant categories.
Category A: Academic – Funded
This category is intended for PhD holders or candidates whose PhD defence takes place no later than September 2026 who are applying for the fully funded fellowship modality.
Successful funded academic fellows receive financial support during the programme and access to the wider IIAS academic community.
Category B: Academic – Self-Funded
PhD holders or candidates whose defence takes place no later than September 2026 can apply under the self-funded academic category if they have confirmed external or personal funding covering the full fellowship period.
Category C: Independent Professional – Self-Funded
The programme is also open to independent professionals, including journalists, writers, diplomats, policymakers, curators and other professionals with a relevant track record.
Applicants in this category must have confirmed external or personal funding for the entire fellowship period.
A good command of English is required for all applicants.
What Is Covered?
Category A funded academic fellows receive several forms of support.
Monthly Stipend
During the six-month Leiden residency, funded fellows receive a gross monthly stipend of €1,250.
The stipend is intended to contribute towards living expenses and is not considered a salary or employment income.
The stipend for Phase 1 is determined and provided by the relevant co-host institution, taking into account its local context and applicable practices.
Housing Allowance
Funded fellows receive a housing allowance of €1,200 per month during Phase 2 in Leiden.
Fellows are responsible for finding and securing their own accommodation. IIAS provides a list of rental agencies to assist with the process.
Travel Grant
The programme provides a contribution towards approved travel costs covering travel from the fellow’s country of residence to the co-host institution, travel from the co-host institution to the Netherlands, and return travel home after completion of the fellowship.
Travel arrangements must follow IIAS guidelines.
Visa Support
Leiden University acts as the issuing institution for residence permit applications for the Netherlands, subject to applicants meeting the relevant Dutch immigration requirements.
Co-host institutions provide guidance regarding visa procedures for Phase 1.
Professional Development and Facilities
Fellows can participate in IIAS-organised outings, workshops and enrichment activities. They also receive access to office space, seminar rooms, library facilities and a screening room.
Research Areas
Proposed projects should engage with Asia as part of wider global formations.
Projects may connect with one or more IIAS thematic clusters, including:
- Cities and Environment
- Politics of Culture
- Asia in the World
- Humanities Across Borders
- Knowledge Diplomacy in Action
The programme strongly encourages interdisciplinary, interregional and academic–non-academic approaches.
Co-Host Institutions
Applicants can indicate four preferred co-host institutions. Available partners include institutions in countries such as Indonesia, Portugal, Brazil, India, Greece, Sweden, Germany, Thailand, Taiwan, Spain, Senegal and Tanzania.
Participating institutions include the Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads in Indonesia, Centre for Research in Anthropology in Portugal, Center for Afro-Oriental Studies at the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil, French Institute of Pondicherry in India, University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and several other academic and research institutions.
Final placements are determined by the selection committee in consultation with partner institutions and therefore cannot be guaranteed.
Important Conditions
Fellows must commit to the full nine-month fellowship and cannot leave the programme early.
For both funded and self-funded categories, the fellowship cannot generally be combined with another fellowship. Applicants who are employed must obtain official release from their institution for the full fellowship period.
Valid health insurance covering the Netherlands is mandatory throughout the Leiden residency.
Fellows must also acknowledge IIAS and the relevant co-host institution in their outputs. IIAS does not fund participation in external conferences, symposia or fieldwork during the fellowship.
Application Process
Applicants must submit their applications through the IIAS Fellowship Application Form.
The application includes sections covering the proposed research project, methodology, career trajectory, work plan, expected outcomes, language skills, preferred co-host institutions and the project’s potential academic and broader impact.
Applicants must also provide a CV and may submit publications and relevant writing or other work samples where applicable.
Shortlisted candidates will subsequently be asked to provide two reference letters and participate in an online introductory meeting.
Application Timeline
Application period: 1 July – 10 September 2026
Shortlisting notification: By December 2026
Final selection announcement: By March 2027
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and carefully read the full terms and conditions before applying.
Key Fellowship Details
Fellowship: IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship Programme
Host: International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden University
Location: Leiden, Netherlands, plus an international co-host institution
Duration: Nine months
Phase 1: Three months at a co-host institution
Phase 2: Six months at IIAS in Leiden
Funded Category: Academic – Funded
Monthly stipend: €1,250 gross during Phase 2
Housing allowance: €1,200 per month during Phase 2
Travel: Travel grant provided for approved journeys
Visa: Support provided
Application deadline: 10 September 2026
Cohorts: September 2027 and March 2028
Conclusion
The IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship Programme 2026 offers a distinctive opportunity for early- to mid-career researchers and knowledge professionals to develop international research networks while examining Asia through broader global perspectives.
For funded academic fellows, the programme combines financial support, accommodation assistance, travel funding and visa support with access to an international academic environment.
Its two-phase structure also provides fellows with exposure to both a partner institution and IIAS in Leiden, creating opportunities for cross-regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to carefully develop their research proposals, identify suitable co-host institutions and prepare all required application materials well before the 10 September 2026 deadline.
