IAS hosts both Research Fellows and Policy Fellows. To achieve its mission, IAS offers all fellows an inspiring environment and various kinds of support to work on an interdisciplinary challenge together with other members of the IAS community. Here you can find information about who those fellowships are for and how to apply to join our collaborative community!
Learn more about previous fellows in their fellowship videoRead about our fellows and their work and experience at IAS
UvA researchers or researchers from another university at any career stage can apply for a research fellowship.
We explicitly welcome joint applications from small teams of researchers and are mindful of the importance of (gender) diversity within IAS. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.
Requirements:
- PhD degree;
- applicants currently employed by other institutions than UvA need a committed co-applicant within the UvA who wants to structurally collaborate with the fellow. Co-applicants are UvA employees at (Assitant/Associate) Professor level;
- an employment contract at an university or research institute for the entire duration of the research fellowship;
- curiosity and a collaborative mindset.
Research fellowships typically have a duration of 2-5 months, depending on availability as well as possible visa limitations, with the possibility of extension.
For research fellows employed by UvA, time at IAS is organised as an in-kind arrangement with their department. This can take the form of spending sabbatical time at IAS or other arrangements (e.g. using a research grant).
Research fellows employed by other institutions (non-UvA fellows) enjoy guest status; they are not employed by the IAS.
For non-UvA fellows who relocate to Amsterdam for the duration of the research fellowship, IAS provides a needs-based compensation for your expenses (travel, accommodation, etc). They are responsible for paying tax to the Tax and Customs Administration of the Netherlands (Belastingdienst) or to the tax authorities of the country in which they are liable to pay taxes.
All research fellows will get access to:
- a regular working space at IAS;
- a vibrant community with many opportunities to develop novel research projects and methodologies, and to establish partnerships and networks;
- participation in community lunches and events
- organisational support to (co)organize and publicize activities at IAS (such as workshops, think tanks, seminars);
- small amount of seed funding to support their project (e.g. for student assistance, inviting international guests, publication support).
Research fellowship applications are assessed by the IAS Board of Associates, who advises the IAS Director. While we welcome applications at any moment throughout the year, ideal starting dates for research fellowships at IAS are February and September. Please note, that IAS is not able to host international fellows during the summer break. Kindly consider this in your planning and timeline.
Our Board of Associates meets three times a year to assess applications: 19 February, 28 May and 22 October 2026. To ensure sufficient time for evaluation, we require that applications be submitted at least 10 working days before the meeting.
To apply, please send an email to ias
uva [dot] nl (ias[at]uva[dot]nl) and include:
- the application form;
- CV;
- a letter of support from your employer/supervisor confirming your availability during the fellowship period.