Asia in the World Fellowship 2026–2028 ( IIAS Leiden)
Job Description
The Asia in the World Fellowship — A New Model for Global Scholarship IIAS Leiden.
Opportunities description:
The International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) has opened applications for its Asia in the World Fellowship, a nine-month residential programme that fundamentally reimagines how researchers engage with Asian Studies.
From 1 July to 10 September 2026, early- to mid-career scholars and knowledge professionals can apply for this distinctive two-phase fellowship that breaks out of conventional North–South academic frameworks in favoure of a genuinely multi-centreid, globally collaborative model.
What Makes It Different
Rather than a single institutional stay, the fellowship is structured across two phases:
- Phase 1 (3 months): A residency at a partner co-host institution in Asia, Africa, Latin America, or Europe. Fellows give a talk or lecture and participate in local academic life.
- Phase 2 (6 months): Residence at IIAS, Leiden University, in the Netherlands, with access to shared office space, seminar rooms, the university library, and a screening room.
Throughout both phases, cohort members participate in online meetings coordinated by IIAS, creating an intellectual community that spans continents.
The Application period:
From 2025 onward, the programme selects two cohorts per round, expanding the number of fellows supported:
| Cohort | Duration |
|---|---|
| Cohort 1 | September 2027 to May 2028 |
| Cohort 2 | March 2028 to November 2028 |
Who Can Apply
Three categories of applicants are welcome:
- Category A — Academic, Funded: PhD holders (or candidates defending by September 2026) applying for the fully funded modality. Includes a monthly stipend (€1,250 gross during Phase 2), housing allowance (€1,200/month during Phase 2), travel grant, and visa support.
- Category B — Academic, Self-Funded: PhD holders with confirmed external or personal funding for the full period. Receives visa support, accommodation assistance, and full programme access.
- Category C — Independent Professional, Self-Funded: Journalists, writers, diplomats, policy makers, curators, and other professionals with relevant track records and confirmed funding.
Note: A good command of English is required for all categories.
Research Focus
Projects should engage with Asia as part of wider global formations and may align with one or more of IIAS’s thematic clusters: Cities, The Politics of Culture, Asia in the World, Humanities Across Borders, and Knowledge Diplomacy in Action. Interdisciplinary approaches and projects bridging academic and non-academic knowledge are strongly encouraged.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 1 July 2026 |
| Online information session | 13 August 2026 |
| Application deadline | 10 September 2026 |
| Shortlisting notification | By December 2026 |
| Final selection announcement | By March 2027 |
Selection Process
After submitting the online application form, shortlisted candidates are asked to:
- Provide two reference letters.
- Attend an online introductory meeting.
How to Apply
For full Terms & Conditions and to apply, visit the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship page. The online information session on 13 August 2026 is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and learn more.
- Fellows must commit to the full nine-month duration; early departure is not permitted.
- The fellowship cannot be combined with another fellowship or employment contract (for all categories).
- Valid health insurance covering the Netherlands is mandatory throughout the Leiden residency.
- IIAS does not fund external conferences, symposia, or fieldwork during the fellowship period.
