Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026 at University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- Omran Aburayya
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
If you are a researcher from the Global South and eager to spend time at a top European institution, the opportunity described below could be of strong interest. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is now inviting applications for its “Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026 – a visiting fellowship hosted by the Faculty of Science (FNWI) that aims to support researchers from developing-countries through collaboration, exchange and network-building.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (host: Faculty of Science – FNWI, UvA)
Research level: Visiting research fellowship (for any career stage: PhD students, post-docs, academic staff)
Target group: Citizens of countries classified as “developing” by the UN DESA, and employed by a university or research institute in such a country.
Fields of Research: Open to all sciences. However, in this pilot scheme:
One fellowship should link to the priority area of the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (DIEP) — “Emergent Phenomena in Society: Polarization, Segregation, Inequality”.
One fellowship should link to mathematics (in broad sense).
Two remaining fellowships open to any topics within the sciences.
Value & coverage: Fellows receive a lump sum of €10,000 to cover travel, visa & accommodation.
Duration: Minimum duration of 2 months, with possibility of extension. Fellowship period can take place between 1 February 2026 and 20 December 2026.
Application deadline: Midnight of 15 November 2025 (CET)
Start date: Visits can begin as early as 1 February 2026 and proceed up to late 2026.
📚 Fellowship Overview
The Global South Fellowship Scheme under UvA’s Faculty of Science is part of the broader “Global South Plan” which aims to build structural and sustainable research partnerships with institutions in the Global South.
Selected fellows will be hosted at the institution as visiting guests (they are not employed by UvA) and will collaborate with their UvA co-applicant and within the host institute. They receive workspace, join the research community of FNWI, and are expected to engage actively (minimum 3 days a week on site) with the host’s research environment.
This scheme is intended not only for isolated visits but to foster longer-term collaborations, knowledge exchange and network building between UvA and institutions in developing countries. Through this, the fellowship supports both individual career development and institutional linkages.
🎁 Benefits
A lump sum of €10,000 covering travel, visa, accommodation in Amsterdam.
Regular working space within the host institute (FNWI, UvA).
Membership or access to a vibrant scientific community, including interdisciplinary networks such as the Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam and the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena.
The opportunity to collaborate with UvA staff, establish research partnerships, build international networks, and potentially lay the foundation for subsequent joint projects, exchange programmes or research grants.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be citizens of, and employed by, a university or research institute in a country listed as “developing” according to UN DESA.
Applicants must hold an employment contract or a scholarship agreement at that home institution for the full duration of the fellowship.
At any career stage: PhD candidate, post-doctoral researcher, staff member are all eligible.
Applicants need a committed UvA co-applicant employed at FNWI at Professor/Associate or Assistant Professor level who will collaborate structurally with the fellow.
Because visa and travel arrangements must be feasible, eligibility is subject to visa availability and alignment with the fellowship’s scope.
Applicants must present a research plan (in collaboration with the co-applicant) that fits within the broader aims of the Global South Plan and the specific priorities (for some fellowships) of DIEP or mathematics.
📝 Application Procedure
Identify a host within UvA’s Faculty of Science (FNWI) at Assistant/Associate/Full Professor level who is willing to act as co-applicant and committed collaborator.
Prepare the online application form (via UvA) before the deadline of 15 November 2025.
Upload the following documents (in PDF):
Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the applicant.
A letter of support from your employer/supervisor confirming your availability during the fellowship period.
A commitment letter from the UvA host institute (FNWI) which confirms workspace and collaboration, using the specified template.
Proof of citizenship and institutional affiliation (employed by home institution).
Successful applicants will be notified by 15 December 2025. Invitation letters will be issued immediately so that visa and administrative processes can start.
Plan your stay: the fellowship may take place between 1 February 2026 and 20 December 2026. Consider visa processing, accommodation in Amsterdam, and your home institution commitments.
👌🏻 Tips for Applicants
Make sure your research proposal clearly outlines how your visit will contribute to collaboration with the host at UvA, and how both you and your home institution will benefit.
Confirm early and in writing a committed UvA co-applicant who has the institutional backing to host you and is willing to collaborate structurally.
Demonstrate how your work aligns with one of the priority themes (for the two thematic fellowships) or how it broadly fits into the sciences for the open fellowships.
Highlight any previous international collaboration or network building — while this fellowship is open to any career stage, those with demonstrated collaborative mindset may strengthen their application.
Prepare in advance for accommodation and visa issues in Amsterdam — though the fellowship covers travel/visa/accommodation via the lump sum, securing suitable housing in Amsterdam can be competitive.
Think ahead about how your stay will lead to longer-term impact: future joint projects, exchange opportunities, institutional partnerships. The scheme values sustainable collaborations, not just short visits.
Since only four fellowships are offered in this pilot round, quality matters: make your application stand out in terms of research relevance, commitment and benefit to both parties.
Ensure your employer/institution approves your leave/visit well ahead of time, to avoid conflicts with your home institution obligations.