IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship 2027 (Fully Funded)

The International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) at Leiden University in the Netherlands runs one of the most interesting research fellowships in the humanities and social sciences: the Asia in the World Fellowship Programme. Instead of parking you at one university for a year, it moves you across the globe — three months at a partner institute in Asia, Africa, Latin America or Europe, then six months at IIAS in Leiden, working on research that connects Asia to wider global formations.

Here's the honest headline up front: applications for the 2027–28 round closed on 10 September 2026 — the application period ran from 1 July to 10 September 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be notified by December 2026. So if you're reading this now, you can't apply this cycle. What you *can* do is use the next few months to build a strong application for the following round, which is expected to open around mid-2027. This guide gives you everything the official call says, verified from the IIAS website.

In short: The IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship is a 9-month residential research fellowship for early- to mid-career researchers with a PhD (or defence by September 2026). Category A fellows receive a funded package: a €1,250/month stipend during the Leiden residency, a €1,200/month housing allowance, a travel grant, visa support and full university facilities. Applications for the 2027–28 round closed 10 September 2026 — this article is your preparation guide for the next call.

Quick Overview

• Host Country: Netherlands (plus a partner institute in Asia, Africa, Latin America or Europe)
• Host Institution: International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Leiden University
• Degree Level: PhD holders / doctoral candidates defending by September 2026
• Program Duration: 9 months (3 months at co-host institution + 6 months at IIAS Leiden)
• Cohorts: Cohort 1: September 2027 – end of May 2028 | Cohort 2: March 2028 – end of November 2028
• Funding Type: Fully funded (Category A — Academic, IIAS-funded); self-funded categories also exist
• Deadline: 10 September 2026 — now closed (shortlisting by December 2026, final selection by March 2027)

Benefits of the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship

A quick but crucial clarification: the fellowship accepts applications under three categories, and only Category A (Academic – Funded) is actually funded. Categories B and C are self-funded — you'd need confirmed external or personal funding for the full period. What follows is the funded Category A package, taken from the official programme page:

• Monthly stipend — €1,250 gross per month during the Leiden residency (Phase 2). The stipend for Phase 1 is determined and provided by the co-host institution, taking its local context into account. IIAS is clear that the stipend is a contribution towards living expenses, not a salary.
• Housing allowance — €1,200 per month towards accommodation costs during the Leiden phase. You're responsible for finding your own place, though IIAS provides a list of rental agencies to help.
• Travel grant — A contribution covering three legs: from your country of residence to the co-host institution, from the co-host institution to the Netherlands, and your return home at the end of the fellowship.
• Visa support — Leiden University acts as the issuing institution for your Dutch residence permit application; the co-host institution provides guidance on the Phase 1 visa.
• Professional development — Access to IIAS-organised outings, workshops and enrichment activities throughout the fellowship.
• University facilities — Shared office space, a private seminar room, the university library and a screening room, on equal terms with all other fellows.

And in the interests of honesty: IIAS does not fund participation in external conferences, symposia or fieldwork during the fellowship — you can attend those at your own expense. Fellows are also required to acknowledge IIAS and the co-host institution in all research outputs.

Eligibility Criteria for the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship

The programme is open to three categories of applicants — you select your category on the application form, and the form adapts accordingly. A good command of English is required for all categories.

• Category A — Academic (Funded): You must hold a PhD, or be finalising one with your defence/viva taking place no later than September 2026. You're applying for the fully funded modality.
• Category B — Academic (Self-Funded): Same PhD requirement, but you must have confirmed external or personal funding for the full nine months.
• Category C — Independent Professional (Self-Funded): Open to journalists, writers, diplomats, policy makers, curators and other professionals with a relevant track record in their field — again with confirmed external or personal funding.
• Full-time commitment — Fellows must commit to the entire 9-month duration. Early departure is not permitted, and the fellowship can't be combined with another fellowship or employment contract. If you're employed or affiliated with an institution, you need official release from your duties for the full period.
• Research alignment — Your project should engage with Asia as part of wider global formations and may align with one or more IIAS thematic clusters: Cities, The Politics of Culture, Asia in the World, Humanities Across Borders, and Knowledge Diplomacy in Action. Interdisciplinary projects and ones bridging academic and non-academic knowledge are strongly encouraged.
• Health insurance — Valid health insurance covering the Netherlands is mandatory throughout the Leiden residency (Leiden University's International Service Center can advise).
• English proficiency — All activities and communications are conducted in English, so a good command of it is essential. There is no stated age limit.

How to Apply for the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship

The process is a two-stage one. Here's how the 2027–28 round worked — expect the next call to follow the same pattern:

1. Read the programme page and the full Terms & Conditions on the IIAS website before you start — acceptance of the T&Cs is required to submit. 2. Choose your category on the IIAS Fellowship Application Form (A: funded academic, B: self-funded academic, C: self-funded professional). The form adjusts its fields based on your choice. 3. Complete the online application form via the IIAS website, including all required uploads (see the documents section below). 4. Present your research project clearly aligned with one of the thematic clusters — Cities, The Politics of Culture, Asia in the World, Humanities Across Borders, or Knowledge Diplomacy in Action — and show how it connects Asia to wider global formations. 5. Indicate your preferred co-host institution(s) for Phase 1. Partners include institutes in Surabaya (Indonesia), Puducherry, Delhi and Bengaluru (India), Bangkok (Thailand), Taipei (Taiwan), Lisbon/Coimbra/Braga (Portugal), Athens (Greece), Madrid (Spain), Malmö (Sweden), Heidelberg and Erfurt (Germany), Salvador (Brazil), Dakar (Senegal) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). 6. Submit within the application window — for 2027–28 this was 1 July to 10 September 2026. 7. If shortlisted (notification by December 2026), you'll be asked to provide two reference letters and take part in an online introductory meeting. 8. Final selections are announced by March 2027, after which exact arrival and departure dates are communicated to selected fellows.

Required Documents

The official call requires applications through the online form with "all required documents". The previous call's document list — which the next round is expected to mirror — included:

• Completed IIAS Fellowship Application Form (online), including all required uploads
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications
• Work plan (your proposed research project for the fellowship period)
• Two reference letters — only required if you're shortlisted, not at the initial submission stage

A practical tip from the submission rules: files larger than 4MB aren't accepted, and files should be named in the format FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_FILENAME.pdf. The exact upload list for the next call will appear on the application form — check it the day the call opens.

IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship Deadline

The application period for the 2027–28 round ran from 1 July 2026 to 10 September 2026 and is now closed. The timeline from here: shortlisting notifications by December 2026, final selection announcements by March 2027, with Cohort 1 starting September 2027 and Cohort 2 starting March 2028.

If you miss a call entirely, IIAS runs this programme annually, so the next round is expected to open around mid-2027 (this is an estimate based on the annual pattern — the official dates had not been announced at the time of writing, so watch the programme page). Use the waiting time well: this is a competitive fellowship with a project-based selection, so the strongest use of the next months is sharpening your research proposal and getting your publications and work plan into shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship really fully funded?

Only for Category A (Academic – Funded) applicants. That package includes the €1,250/month stipend in Leiden, a €1,200/month housing allowance, a travel grant and visa support. Categories B and C are self-funded — you must have confirmed external or personal funding for the full nine months. So "fully funded" is true, but only for the funded category — apply under the right one.

How much is the stipend, exactly?

Category A fellows receive €1,250 gross per month during the six-month Leiden residency (Phase 2), plus a €1,200/month housing allowance. For Phase 1, the stipend is determined and paid by the co-host institution according to its local context. IIAS describes these as contributions towards living expenses, not a salary.

Can I apply if I don't have a PhD yet?

For Categories A and B, you must hold a PhD or be finalising one with your defence/viva no later than September 2026 (for the 2027–28 round). Independent professionals without a PhD — journalists, curators, diplomats, policy makers — can apply under self-funded Category C with a relevant track record.

Is there an age limit?

No — the official call states no age limit. The programme targets early- to mid-career researchers and knowledge professionals, but eligibility is based on your PhD status and project, not your age.

Where exactly would I spend Phase 1?

At one of the partner institutes across four continents — recent co-hosts include Surabaya (Indonesia), Puducherry, Delhi and Bengaluru (India), Bangkok (Thailand), Taipei (Taiwan), Lisbon/Coimbra/Braga (Portugal), Athens (Greece), Madrid (Spain), Malmö (Sweden), Heidelberg and Erfurt (Germany), Salvador (Brazil), Dakar (Senegal) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). You'll give a talk or lecture and engage with local activities there.

Can I keep my university job while on the fellowship?

No, not for Category A. The fellowship can't be combined with another fellowship or employment contract, and if you're employed or affiliated with an institution, you must secure official release from your duties for the full nine months. Fieldwork is also expected to be completed before the fellowship starts.

Do I need to speak Dutch?

No. A good command of English is required — all activities and communications are conducted in English. The co-host institution will provide information and guidance on whatever visa procedures apply for Phase 1.

What happens after I submit my application?

Selection has two stages: first, the committee reviews your application form and documents; then shortlisted candidates (notified by December 2026) provide two reference letters and attend an online introductory meeting. Final selections are announced by March 2027.

What doesn't the fellowship cover?

IIAS does not provide additional funding for participation in external academic conferences, workshops or symposia, nor for fieldwork during the fellowship — you can participate at your own expense. The stipend is also explicitly a living-expense contribution, not employment income, so plan your budget accordingly.

When will the next call for applications open?

The 2027–28 round closed on 10 September 2026. Based on the annual rhythm, the next call is expected around mid-2027, but the official dates had not been announced at the time of writing. Watch the IIAS fellowship page — and use the time to strengthen your research proposal, because project quality is the heart of the selection.

Final Words

The Asia in the World Fellowship is a rare thing: a funded, multi-continent research residency that treats Asia not as an isolated region but as part of the wider world — and treats fellows as active participants, not just visiting scholars. It's competitive and it's project-driven, which means your proposal matters more than your pedigree. The current round is closed, but the next one is roughly a year of preparation away. Start now.