Visiting research fellowship programme

Fellowship programme for scholars and practitioners

The T.M.C. Asser Instituut offers the possibility of a self-funded research stay (one to six months) to scholars and legal practitioners from around the world working in the field of international and European law. The Asser Institute accepts applications from junior research fellows (PhD researchers enrolled in a doctoral degree programme; early career researchers and practitioners), and senior research fellows (experienced academics and practitioners). Visiting research fellows pursue their own research project, connected to one of the research strands as part of the Asser Strategic Research Agenda. 

While in The Hague, visiting research fellows meet with other scholars and practitioners and engage with The Hague community of international lawyers working at the many international organisations located in the city, and with Dutch academia. They are encouraged to participate fully in the activities of the Asser Institute and to attend its lectures and seminars. They are expected to present their research at one of the Asser Research Seminars as well as at a public lecture, and to submit a manuscript produced (partly) during the research stay for publication in the Asser SSRN Research Paper Series.

The Asser Institute is located close to the many international organisations in The Hague and at walking distance from the Peace Palace. It has its own conference facilities, a variety of office and meeting spaces, and is surrounded by a lovely garden. As part of the University of Amsterdam, the Institute benefits from the university’s extensive network of resources and electronic research tools, which can be accessed via an Institute’s workstation or its wireless network. Visiting research fellows are provided with their own workspace with telephone and desktop computer. They have access to the Institute’s library as well as to a wide range of other libraries in The Hague, including the Peace Palace Library and the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, the National Library of the Netherlands. 

Application guidelines

Applications (in English) should include: a letter of interest, a C.V. (including list of publications), a research proposal (including a 200 word abstract), and 2 letters of recommendation. Applicants must have a reasonably high proficiency in spoken and written English. If English is the applicant's second language, applicants may be requested to demonstrate proficiency with a certificate of TOEFL score 250 or IELTS level 6 (minimum). Applicants should indicate to which of the research strands as part of the Asser Strategic Research Agenda their research project is connected.

Complete applications can be sent to: PO@asser.nl 

Visiting research fellows (excluding PhD students) pay a 'bench fee' to assist in covering the costs of provision of facilities at the Asser Institute, including workspace and library access. The bench fee is € 500 (+ VAT at the current rate) per month, until three months, and a further € 300 (+ VAT) per month thereafter. In some circumstances a higher fee may be agreed. The bench fee may be waived, at the Academic Director’s discretion, when the research fellow is making a direct contribution to teaching or to a research project at the Asser Institute.

Contact
If you have any questions, please contact PO@asser.nl