IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship 2027 (Fully Funded)

Overview: A Fellowship Built Around Two Distinct Research Environments

The International Institute for Asian Studies, known as IIAS and based at Leiden University in the Netherlands, has opened applications for its 2027 Asia in the World Fellowship, a structurally distinctive nine-month program that splits a fellow's time between two very different research settings. Rather than confining participants to a single institution for the full duration, the program is built around a genuine co-hosting model designed to bring fresh perspectives into Asian Studies through direct engagement across regions.

The fellowship unfolds in two clearly defined phases. During the first three months, fellows are based at a partner institution located in Asia, Africa, Latin America, or Europe, where they deliver lectures, take part in local academic activities, and stay connected to the program through regular online meetings with a coordinator. The remaining six months are then spent in residence at IIAS itself in Leiden, where fellows gain access to office space, the university library, and a dedicated screening room shared among fellowship participants.

For the 2027 cycle, two cohort options are available: Cohort 1 runs from September 2027 through the end of May 2028, while Cohort 2 runs from March 2028 through the end of November 2028. The application deadline for both cohorts is 10 September 2026.

Research Themes Fellows Can Explore

Applicants are expected to design a research project aligned with one of IIAS's core thematic clusters, which currently include:

• Cities
• The Politics of Culture
• Asia in the World
• Humanities Across Borders
• Knowledge Diplomacy in Action

This range of themes reflects IIAS's broader effort to position Asian Studies not as a narrowly regional field, but as one deeply connected to global questions of culture, urbanism, and diplomacy, giving applicants meaningful latitude in how they frame their specific research proposal.

Three Applicant Categories, Three Funding Paths

One of the more distinctive aspects of this fellowship is that it accommodates three separate applicant categories, each with a different funding structure:

Category A, Academic (Funded), is for PhD holders, or candidates whose defence is scheduled to take place by September 2026, who are applying under the fully funded fellowship modality.

Category B, Academic (Self-Funded), is also for PhD holders or near-PhD candidates, but requires confirmed external or personal funding covering the full fellowship period.

Category C, Independent Professional (Self-Funded), is open to journalists, writers, diplomats, policymakers, curators, and other professionals with a relevant track record in their field, provided they also have confirmed funding for the full fellowship duration.

This structure means the fellowship isn't reserved solely for academics working toward or holding a PhD. Established professionals outside traditional academia can participate as well, provided they can independently fund their own participation.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship 2027, applicants must meet the following conditions depending on their chosen category:

• For Category A and B, hold a completed PhD, or have a PhD defence scheduled to take place by September 2026.
• For Category C, have a demonstrated, relevant professional track record as a journalist, writer, diplomat, policymaker, curator, or similar professional.
• For Category B and C specifically, secure confirmed external or personal funding covering the entire fellowship period before applying.
• Have a good command of English, since this applies across all three applicant categories.
• Be able to commit to the full nine-month structure, including both the three-month partner institution phase and the six-month Leiden residency.

Because Categories B and C require confirmed funding in place before applying, prospective applicants pursuing either of these tracks should secure their funding arrangement well ahead of the 10 September 2026 deadline, rather than treating funding confirmation as something to sort out after acceptance.

Application Requirements

Applicants need to prepare the following documents and information as part of a complete submission through the official IIAS Fellowship Application Form:

• An updated CV.
• A list of publications.
• Writing samples relevant to the proposed research area.
• A detailed project description outlining the intended research direction.
• A clear work plan along with expected outcomes for the fellowship period.
• An explanation of language skills and their relevance to the proposed project.
• Selection of preferred co-hosting institutions, along with a clear rationale for why those institutions were chosen.
• Responses to any additional questions included in the application form.

Because the application specifically requires a rationale for choosing particular co-hosting institutions, applicants should research potential partner institutions in Asia, Africa, Latin America, or Europe carefully before submitting, rather than treating this as a minor formality within the broader form.

Financial Benefits

Benefits differ meaningfully depending on which applicant category a fellow falls under.

For Category A, Funded Academic Fellows, benefits include a monthly stipend of €1,250 during the Phase 2 Leiden residency, a separate stipend for Phase 1 determined by the co-host institution, a housing allowance of €1,200 per month during Phase 2, and a travel grant covering transport from the fellow's home country to the co-host institution, from the co-host institution to the Netherlands, and return travel home after the fellowship concludes. Funded fellows also gain access to IIAS-organised tours, workshops, and local activities, shared use of IIAS office space, seminar rooms, the library, and screening room, along with visa support from Leiden University for Phase 2 and guidance from the co-host institution during Phase 1.

For Categories B and C, Self-Funded Fellows, benefits include visa support from Leiden University, accommodation assistance, shared access to IIAS office space, seminar rooms, the library, and screening room, and full participation in IIAS community activities, workshops, and events throughout the fellowship period.

This tiered benefits structure means that even self-funded fellows still receive meaningful institutional support, such as visa assistance and shared access to IIAS facilities, rather than being left to navigate the logistics of the fellowship entirely independently.

How to Apply

The application process for the IIAS Asia in the World Fellowship follows a detailed, multi-step sequence:

1. Apply through the official IIAS Fellowship Application Form.
2. Select the applicant profile that applies, Category A, B, or C.
3. Choose the preferred cohort dates, either Cohort 1 or Cohort 2.
4. Provide full details of the intended research project.
5. Select the relevant research cluster or framework from IIAS's thematic areas.
6. Write a clear project description.
7. Outline the work plan and expected outcomes.
8. Explain language skills and their relevance to the proposed project.
9. Select preferred co-hosting institutions and explain the rationale behind those choices.
10. Answer all remaining questions included in the application form.
11. Upload the required supporting documents.
12. Review the terms and conditions carefully before agreeing to them.
13. Review the completed form thoroughly, then submit the application.

Given the level of detail required, particularly around research design, co-host selection, and language relevance, applicants should treat this as a substantial proposal-writing process rather than a simple form submission, and should begin drafting their materials well ahead of the 10 September 2026 deadline.

Why This Fellowship Is Worth Applying For

For early to mid-career researchers and knowledge professionals interested in Asian Studies from a genuinely global vantage point, the Asia in the World Fellowship offers something structurally distinctive: real time embedded in two separate research environments, spanning a partner institution abroad and IIAS's own base in Leiden. The inclusion of an independent professional category alongside the standard academic tracks also broadens the fellowship's reach beyond traditional PhD-holding researchers, opening the door to journalists, diplomats, and policy specialists whose work intersects meaningfully with Asian Studies themes.

For funded Category A applicants specifically, the combination of a monthly stipend, housing allowance, and full travel coverage across three separate legs of the journey, home country to co-host institution, co-host institution to the Netherlands, and return home, makes this one of the more logistically well-supported fellowships available in the field.

Key Details at a Glance

• Host Organization: International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS)
• Program Location: Leiden, Netherlands, and partner host countries
• Program Duration: 9 months (3 months partner institution, 6 months Leiden)
• Cohort 1 Dates: September 2027 to end of May 2028
• Cohort 2 Dates: March 2028 to end of November 2028
• Application Deadline: 10 September 2026
• Funding Type: Fully Funded (Category A) and Self-Funded (Categories B and C)
• Monthly Stipend (Category A, Phase 2): €1,250
• Housing Allowance (Category A, Phase 2): €1,200 per month

Disclaimer: Program details, deadlines, and requirements are subject to change by the International Institute for Asian Studies. Applicants should verify all current information directly on the official IIAS website before applying.