Description

The NIAS – NIOD – KITLV Fellowship: Moving Objects, Mobilising Culture in the Context of (De)colonisation 2025-2026 is a prestigious opportunity for researchers from formerly colonized countries. Hosted in the Netherlands and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, this fully funded research fellowship at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) invites professionals from fields such as history, archaeology, social sciences, heritage studies, art, journalism, and cultural activism to engage with Dutch collections. The fellowship duration is five months (September 2025 – January 2026), and the application deadline is 17 March 2025 (12:00 CET). Selected fellows will receive travel compensation within the Netherlands (up to €500) and access to archives and museum collections, including Wereldmuseum, Rijksmuseum, Museum Bronbeek, and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.

Fellowship Overview:

• Host Institution: Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS)
• Affiliated Institutions: NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, KITLV Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies
• Duration: 5 months (September 2025 – January 2026)
• Application Deadline: 17 March 2025 (12:00 CET)

Degree Level

Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies Fellowship 2025 (Fully Funded) is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS).

Available Subjects

Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.

• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• History
• Journalism

Benefits

Financial Benefits:

• Travel compensation (€500), research support, access to archives, and supervision from NIOD and KITLV.

Additional Benefits:

• Engage in research on cultural, historical, and ancestral objects located in Dutch collections.
• Work closely with leading Dutch heritage institutions and archives.
• Establish connections with international heritage communities.
• Conduct independent research that may contribute to restitution processes.
• Explore innovative, socially relevant research on the movement of cultural objects.

Eligible Nationalities

This fellowship is open to students of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to historians, archaeologists, social scientists, heritage practitioners, artists, journalists, and cultural activists.
• Applicants must be based in formerly colonized countries with collections in the Netherlands.
• Strong interest in research related to (lost) collections, restitution, and cultural heritage.
• Ability to develop a unique research agenda aligned with the fellowship theme.

Application Procedure

Application Requirements:

Candidates must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae and list of publications/work portfolio.
• Plan of activities for the fellowship (max 500 words).
• Outline of collections/objects to be researched (max 500 words).
• Research relevance to the applicant’s country of origin (max 500 words).
• New perspectives on cultural heritage beyond institutional frameworks (max 500 words).

Selection Process:

• Applications will be reviewed by a committee from NIAS, NIOD, and KITLV.
• The selection prioritizes diverse disciplinary backgrounds and working experiences.
• Alternative approaches to cultural heritage, beyond academic achievements, will be considered.
• Selected candidates will be notified by the end of April 2025.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their applications before 17 March 2025 (12:00 CET) via the official NIAS website.

Conclusion:

The NIAS – NIOD – KITLV Fellowship 2025-2026 is an exceptional chance for researchers and cultural professionals to contribute to the global discourse on cultural heritage and restitution. With full access to Dutch archives and museums, fellows can advance their research while fostering meaningful international collaborations. Apply now and become part of a transformative research initiative in the Netherlands!