Asia in the World Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 (Fully Funded)

The Asia in the World Fellowship Programme by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) offers early- to mid-career researchers a unique opportunity to engage in innovative, globally connected research in Asian Studies.

This 12-month fellowship (October 2026–October 2027) fosters cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration through a three-phase structure, connecting scholars with institutions across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Check more postdoc fellowships here.

Programme Overview

1. Phase 1: Six Months at IIAS, Leiden, Netherlands
   Engage in vibrant academic discussions, collaborate on IIAS projects, publish in The Newsletter, record podcasts, and participate in events with partner institutions in Europe.
2. Phase 2: Three to Five Months at a Co-Hosting Institute
   Conduct research at one of the following partner institutions:
   • Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC), Surabaya, Indonesia
   • Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA), Lisbon, Coimbra, & Braga, Portugal
   • Centro de Estudos Afro-Orientais (CEAO), Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
   • French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), Puducherry, India
   • Kasetsart University (KU), Bangkok, Thailand
   • Institute for Urban Research (IUR), Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
   • Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt, Germany
   • Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies, Delhi, India
   • School of Culture Resources, Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA), Taipei, Taiwan
   • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
   • International Research Laboratory Environment, Health, Societies, Dakar, Senegal
   • University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
   • Worldmaking, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
3. Phase 3: Return to IIAS, Leiden
   Organize a public event to share insights from your research and reflect on the fellowship experience, contributing to a nuanced understanding of Asian Studies.

Benefits of the Fellowship

• Monthly Stipend: €1,250 during residency in Leiden (stipend for Phase 2 varies by co-host institution).
• Housing: Provided in Leiden
• Travel Grant: Up to €1,000 for travel to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the co-host destination.
• Professional Development: Access to workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities.
• Research Support: Shared office space, library access, and institutional facilities at IIAS and partner institutes.

Also check: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026-27

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic Background: Open to researchers in Social Sciences, Humanities, or the Arts with a PhD (or defense scheduled by 15 February 2026).
• Availability: Must commit to the full 12-month programme (October 2026–October 2027) with no concurrent fellowships or employment.
• Fieldwork: Complete any fieldwork before the fellowship begins, as IIAS does not fund fieldwork during the programme.
• Residency: Required in Leiden for Phases 1 and 3, and at a co-host institution for Phase 2.
• Health Insurance: Mandatory for the duration of the stay in the Netherlands.

Research Focus

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

Also check: Royal Society University Research Fellowship 2026

Application Process

• Application Period: 15 September 2025
• Required Documents:
  • Completed IIAS Fellowship Application Form (online)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • List of publications
  • Work plan
  • Two reference letters (for shortlisted candidates only)
  • Short video presentation (for shortlisted candidates, guidelines provided)
• Submission: Submit via the IIAS Fellowship Application Form.
• Joint Applications: Duo applicants must submit separate forms with the same project title and description, outlining individual contributions. Email [email protected] with the subject “JOINT APPLICATION CALL 2025–26” to notify IIAS.

Also check: Digital Humanism Junior Visiting Fellowship

Responsibilities of Fellows

• Actively participate in IIAS and co-host institution activities (lectures, seminars, workshops).
• Attend regular online check-ins with the IIAS Fellowship Coordinator during Phase 2.
• Acknowledge IIAS and the co-host institution in all research outputs.
• Contribute to a public event in Phase 3 to showcase research findings.

Source: This fellowship is taken from official Asia in the World Fellowship Programme website.