KITLV Call for Fellowships 2027

Offer Description

The KITLV invites scholars working in the fields of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies to apply for a Visiting Fellowship. The aims of the fellowship are to promote scholarship in our fields of research as well as to stimulate scientific exchange and collaboration.

Duration

We offer a position for a fellowship for 3 months.

Period 1: 1 March 2027 up to 1 June 2027. Period 2: 1 June 2027 up to 1 September 2027.

Eligibility

Candidates are invited to send in a proposal of the work they wish to carry out while at KITLV. Fellows may work on a publication or research project of their own choice in the fields of Southeast Asian or Caribbean Studies. Applicants are not required to have an affiliation at a university or a research institute. They are, however, expected to have a steady income in the period of the Visiting Fellowship. The KITLV Visiting Fellowship is not a salaried position.

Eligible applicants

• Have a PhD in the Social Sciences and/or Humanities;
• Carry out research in the field(s) of Southeast Asian and/or Caribbean Studies;
• Are interested to carry out their desired research in the Netherlands;
• Are prepared to be based at KITLV during the entire period of the fellowship;
• Are not a (tax) resident of The Netherlands.

Our offer

The selected candidates will be offered:

• A return air or train fare (economy) to and from the Netherlands;
• Reimbursement of the costs of their accommodation in Leiden (including rent, energy costs, and if applicable service costs) up to a maximum of € 2,000 per month, based on proof of payment;
• A monthly compensation for higher living costs in Leiden, as compared to the main place of residence (calculated on a case-by-case basis).

If needed, the KITLV can provide a formal letter of invitation and offer support in applying for a residence permit. The institute will not, however, assist in finding suitable accommodation. The latter is the fellow's own responsibility.

How to apply

Candidates are invited to submit their application in English. Applications must include:

• A completed application form - you should upload this form instead of a cover letter. The form van be downloaded on this website: http://www.kitlv.nl/assets/files/kitlv-visiting-fellowships-application-form-2027-p1-2.docx
• A brief, two-page CV.

You can submit your application at the latest on 14 October 2026, midnight (CET). Please submit your application via the Apply Now button. You may address the application to the Program Chair, Prof. Dr. Ward Berenschot (do not email him your application).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For questions, please contact applications[at]kitlv.nl. Please note that we will not review any proposals before submission and/or the deadline.

About the KITLV

The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. The KITLV conducts interdisciplinary and comparative historical research. Its research focus is Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, with an emphasis on Indonesia and the 'Dutch' Caribbean. It is particularly interested in such issues as state formation, violence and citizenship, processes of mobility and the formation of ethnic and national identity. KITLV is active in the humanities, social sciences and comparative area studies and works closely with Leiden University.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.