Call for Fellowships KITLV

The KITLV invites scholars working in the fields of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies to apply for a Visiting Fellowship.

Duration
Duration: 3 months

Period 1 1 September 2026 up to 1 December 2026 Period 2 1 December 2026 up to 1 March 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.

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 (download here)
• A brief, two-page CV.

You can submit your application at the latest on 21 March 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).

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.

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.

The aim of the KITLV Fellowship Program is to provide space for mutual inspiration, collaboration, creation and co-creation within and beyond the institute's main research themes and regions of interest. The program is a central feature of the institute's international outlook and ambition as a global knowledge hub in Southeast Asian and Caribbean studies.

The KITLV Fellowship Program provides external scholars a space for creative, inspiring, and cutting edge collaborative research within and beyond the institute's main research themes and regions of interest. The program is a central feature of the institute's international outlook and ambition as a global knowledge hub in Southeast Asian and Caribbean studies.

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