Netherlands Institute in Turkey - Nederlands Instituut in Turkije Istanbul - Studiebeurzen NIT Istanbul

What the NIT Fellowship gives you

A fellowship is a funded research stay. You spend it in Istanbul at the Netherlands Institute in Turkey (NIT), a research centre linked to Leiden University that studies the history, cultures and societies of Turkey. There are two types, and you choose which fits you:

• Residential Fellowship: free accommodation for four weeks in an apartment near the institute. You get a private bedroom and share a bathroom and kitchen with one other fellow. Internet, bed linen and towels are included. You also get a desk in the NIT library with 24/7 access.
• Non-Residential Fellowship: a grant of up to 400 EUR towards travel and living costs for a research stay of at least one month, plus a desk in the library with 24/7 access.

The NIT awards eight fellowships a year, split across two rounds (spring and autumn). Each round offers four residential places and two non-residential places.

Who can apply

• Your university: You are enrolled at or employed by a university in the Netherlands.
• Your level: You are an MA or research-MA student, a PhD student, a postdoc, or a recent graduate planning further study or research.
• Your research topic: Your project connects to the history, cultures or societies of Turkey, past or present.
• Project type: Ideally your project is part of your thesis or dissertation. Projects to turn a thesis into a publication, or to develop a dissertation proposal or grant application, also count.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply, as long as you are tied to a Dutch university.

How to apply

Fill in the NIT application form and email it to the programmes coordinator. For the autumn 2026 round the deadline is 22 June 2026, and you hear the decision by 29 June 2026. Staff judge each application on its academic value, whether the work plan is feasible, how well it fits the NIT's focus on Turkey, and what an Istanbul stay would add.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a narrow award. You must be tied to a Dutch university and your research must clearly relate to Turkey, so the pool of eligible applicants is small. With eight fellowships a year, a well-matched applicant with a solid, Istanbul-focused work plan has good prospects. A clear link between your project and the institute's focus is what sets an application apart.