Are you a researcher passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences? The NIAS-Lorentz Theme Group Fellowships 2026-27, hosted by the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS), offer you a unique chance to work in a stimulating international environment in the Netherlands. Whether you’re an early- or mid-career scholar looking to bridge science and society or to build groundbreaking ideas into real-world research, this fully funded fellowship is tailored for you.

From a collaborative five-month residency at NIAS to a fully supported workshop at the Lorentz Center, the fellowship empowers innovative thinkers like you to explore complex societal challenges with the support of a world-class academic platform.

About NIAS and the Lorentz Center

NIAS (Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study) is a renowned interdisciplinary institute that brings together international researchers to pursue independent research. It encourages deep, innovative thinking by offering a unique residency program free from teaching duties.

The Lorentz Center, based in Leiden, is a leading Dutch workshop center supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration in the sciences and humanities. Together, the NIAS-Lorentz partnership offers a prestigious platform for collaborative, high-impact research.

NIAS-Lorentz Fellowships 2026 Overview

Feature	Details
Fellowship Name	NIAS-Lorentz Theme Group Fellowships 2026–2027
Host Institutions	Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) & Lorentz Center
Country	The Netherlands
Fellowship Type	Research Fellowship (Group-Based)
Eligible Disciplines	Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural & Technological Sciences
Fellowship Duration	5 months (Feb–June 2027)
Group Size	3 researchers (incl. coordinator)
Funding Coverage	Accommodation, stipend (€3,500/month for international scholars), travel support, €10,000 workshop budget
Application Deadlines	Pre-Proposal: 1 Sept 2025; Full Proposal: 13 Oct 2025
Who Can Apply	PhD holders with 3+ years postdoctoral experience

Fellowship Benefits

• Fully funded fellowships for three individual group members, each for a five-month residency at NIAS.
• Optional stipend of €3,500/month for international fellows
• €2,500/month university grant for Dutch-based fellows
• Free accommodation or daily travel reimbursement
• A €10,000 grant to organize an interdisciplinary workshop at the Lorentz Center.
• Active engagement in NIAS’s international academic community (seminars, talks, networking)
• Ideal opportunity to produce publications, proposals (ERC, Horizon), or collaborative books
• Boosts academic visibility and cross-disciplinary connections

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NIAS Lorentz Theme Group Fellowship 2026-27:

• You must hold a PhD degree with at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience
• Your project should connect humanities/social sciences with natural/life/technological sciences
• You must have strong English skills for group interaction
• All group members must be eligible for a NIAS fellowship
• Applications must be original (no resubmission of rejected proposals)
• You can apply for only one type of NIAS fellowship per academic year
• Past NIAS fellows must wait 10 years before reapplying
• Provide names of 3 international referees without conflicts of interest
• Proposals must include all required forms, documents, and be submitted in English

How to Apply

1. Form a Group
   • 3 members including one coordinator
   • Group must be international and interdisciplinary
   • Coordinator can be based abroad but must collaborate with a Dutch co-coordinator
2. Submit a Pre-Proposal (Deadline: 1 Sept 2025)
   • 3-page PDF with title, member names, topic description, brief workshop idea
   • Email to: [email protected] (Subject: “NLTG – Your Name”)
3. Wait for Feedback
   • Within 6 weeks, NIAS will notify you if invited to submit a full proposal
4. Submit Main Proposal (Deadline: 13 Oct 2025)
   • Expanded project and workshop description
   • Individual fellowship forms for all members
   • Submit via NIAS official application platform
5. Workshop Planning
   • If selected, work with Lorentz Center to refine your €10,000 workshop plan
   • Final feedback provided by Lorentz and NIAS advisory boards
6. Review & Selection
   • Applications reviewed by NIAS-Lorentz Fellowship Board based on originality, interdisciplinary strength, and group excellence

Comparison of NIAS-Lorentz vs Similar Fellowships

Feature	NIAS-Lorentz Fellowship	Marie Curie Postdoc Fellowship	Einstein Fellowship
Location	Netherlands	EU Countries	Germany
Funding	€3,500/month + housing + workshop	Monthly stipend + mobility & research allowance	€10,000 + residence at Einstein Forum
Group Work	Yes (3 researchers)	No	No
Workshop Support	Yes (€10,000)	No	No
Discipline	Interdisciplinary (Humanities + Sciences)	STEM/Social Sciences	Humanities/Social Sciences
PhD Required	Yes (3+ yrs experience)	Yes (PhD within last 8 years)	Yes
Duration	5 months	1–2 years	5–6 months
International Focus	Strong	Strong	Moderate

FAQs About NIAS-Lorentz Fellowships 2026

1. Can I apply individually without forming a group?
   • No. The NIAS-Lorentz fellowship is only available as a 3-member group application.
2. Can PhD students apply for NIAS-Lorentz Fellowships 2026?
   • No. Only researchers with 3+ years of postdoctoral experience are eligible.
3. Is funding taxable for NIAS Lorentz Fellowships 2026?
   • Stipends might be taxable based on the tax regulations of your home country.
4. Can all members be from the same country?
   • While possible, preference is given to international and interdisciplinary groups.
5. What if I don’t know two other researchers to form a group?
   • It’s advisable to network within your field or reach out to previous NIAS fellows.
6. Is the fellowship limited to specific fields?
   • Projects must connect humanities/social sciences with natural, life, or technological sciences.
7. Can I resubmit a previously rejected proposal?
   • No. NIAS does not accept resubmitted or previously rejected proposals.
8. Do I have to teach during the fellowship?
   • No. The NIAS-Lorentz Fellowship offers a dedicated and concentrated research setting.
9. Is the €10,000 workshop budget flexible?
   • The budget is fixed and must be used specifically for the Lorentz Center workshop.
10. When will applicants be notified?
    • Pre-proposal decisions: within 6 weeks. Final selection timeline will follow full proposal submission.

Take the leap and build your interdisciplinary research legacy in the Netherlands. Start your journey with the NIAS-Lorentz Fellowship. APPLY NOW.

If this fellowship resonates with your academic goals, don’t hesitate—prepare your pre-proposal and start reaching out to collaborators. And while you’re at it, explore other fellowships we cover on our platform for global scholars.