Applications are currently being accepted for the Asia in the World Fellowship 2026/27, a fully funded opportunity provided by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS). This 12-month fellowship is designed for researchers interested in Asian Studies and welcomes applicants from all academic backgrounds.
The fellowship will run from October 2026 to October 2027 and is divided into three parts:
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Phase 1: The first six months will be spent at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
- Phase 2: Fellows will then continue their research for 3 to 5 months at one of the approved partner institutions located in different parts of the world.
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Phase 3: Finally, fellows will return to IIAS in Leiden to complete the last part of the program.
The main goal of this fellowship is to support new research ideas and encourage international academic cooperation in the field of Asian Studies.
Researchers from any discipline and from any country are welcome to apply. This is a great chance to explore your research interests, connect with experts globally, and become part of a supportive academic community.
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- Host Country: Netherlands
- Host Institute: Leiden University, and Co-Host Institute
- Financial Assistance: Fully Funded
- Duration: 12 Months
Scholarship Value/ Inclusions
- Covers round-trip airfare and travel expenses
- Provides free housing during the fellowship period
- Offers a monthly stipend for living expenses
- Includes access to professional development activities
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Eligibility Criteria
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Open to All Nationalities: Researchers from any country can apply.
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Target Group: The program is intended for early- to mid-career researchers worldwide.
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PhD Requirement: You must hold a PhD or successfully defend your thesis by February 15, 2026. A formal confirmation from your university is required.
- Program Commitment: Applicants must be available for the full duration of the fellowship, from October 2026 to October 2027, and must be able to arrive during the first week of October 2026.
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No Conflicting Engagements: If you are currently employed, you must get official permission to be released for the full fellowship period. You are not allowed to hold any other fellowships or employment contracts during the fellowship period.
Research Focus
The fellowship is for researchers whose work explores Asia’s connections with the rest of the world. Your research should help people understand Asia’s global role from a wider and more interconnected perspective. It must also relate to one or more of the main themes supported by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), which include:
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Asian Cities
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The Politics of Culture (previously called Asian Heritages)
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Global Asia
Fellowship Structure
The Asia in the World Fellowship is divided into three phases over the course of 12 months:
Phase 1: Six Months at IIAS – Leiden, Netherlands
The fellowship begins at IIAS in Leiden, where participants will:
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Join academic discussions and collaborative projects
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Work closely with other researchers
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Take part in events and activities with IIAS and its European partners
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Publish or develop your research
Phase 2: Three to Five Months at a Partner Institution
After Leiden, you will continue your research at one of the selected partner institutions around the world. These include:
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Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC), Indonesia
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Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA), Portugal
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Centro de Estudos Afro-Orientais (CEAO), Federal University of Bahia, Brazil
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French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), India
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Kasetsart University (KU), Thailand
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Institute for Urban Research (IUR), Malmö University, Sweden
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Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt, Germany
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Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies , India
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School of Culture Resources, Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA), Taiwan
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Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Spain
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International Research Laboratory Environment, Health, Societies , Senegal
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University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) , Tanzania
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Worldmaking, Heidelberg University , Germany
Phase 3: Return to IIAS – Leiden, Netherlands
You will return to Leiden for the final stage of the fellowship. Here, you will:
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Reflect on and share what you learned during your time at the partner institution
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Present new ideas or progress in your research
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Contribute further to the academic and cultural exchange at IIAS
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must complete the application process by submitting an online application through the official website. Make sure to carefully follow all instructions provided on the application portal. The link to the official website can be found below.
Deadline
The application deadline to apply for Netherlands Fellowship is 15 September 2025.
