Asia in the World Fellowship 2026/27 in the Netherlands (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the prestigious Asia in the World Fellowship 2026/27, hosted by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) in the Netherlands. This fully funded, 12-month fellowship invites early- to mid-career researchers from across the globe to engage in interdisciplinary research exploring Asia’s role in a global context.

The program runs from October 2026 to October 2027 and includes three exciting phases across multiple countries and institutions.

Fellowship Overview

Fellowship Name: Asia in the World Fellowship
Host Institution: IIAS, Leiden University
Duration: 12 Months (Oct 2026 – Oct 2027)
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Application Deadline: 15th September 2025
Eligible Countries: Open to all nationalities

Fellowship Benefits

Participants will receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:

Round-trip international airfare
Free housing throughout the fellowship
Monthly stipend for living expenses
Participation in professional development and networking activities

Research Themes

Applicants must align their research with one or more of IIAS’s key thematic clusters:

Asian Cities
The Politics of Culture (formerly Asian Heritages)
Global Asia

Fellowship Structure (Three Phases)

Phase 1: October 2026 – March 2027

Location: IIAS, Leiden University (Netherlands)
Activities: Seminars, collaborative research, publications, and networking with European institutions.

Phase 2: 3–5 Months at a Co-Host Institution

Choose from a list of global co-hosts, including:

Airlangga University (Indonesia)
CRIA – Portugal
CEAO – Brazil
French Institute of Pondicherry – India
Kasetsart University – Thailand
Malmö University – Sweden
University of Erfurt – Germany
Max Weber Forum – India
TNUA – Taiwan
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid – Spain
University of Dar es Salaam – Tanzania
Heidelberg University – Germany
Dakar Research Laboratory – Senegal

Phase 3: Return to IIAS, Leiden (Final 2 Months)

Share key research findings and engage in final collaborative sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

Hold a PhD or be scheduled to defend by 15 February 2026 (with university confirmation)
Be an early- to mid-career researcher from any country
Be fully available from October 2026 to October 2027
If employed, secure formal leave for the entire fellowship duration
Not hold other fellowships or job commitments during the program

Required Documents