About the Fellowship
The Gosling-Lim Postdoctoral Fellowship in Southeast Asian Studies, offered by the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), is a prestigious and fully funded fellowship supported by L.A. Peter Gosling and Linda Yuen-Ching Lim. It is designed to support early-career scholars from Southeast Asia and to strengthen Southeast Asian Studies within the region.
The fellowship enables scholars to concentrate on publishing their PhD research or initiating new research projects, without incurring teaching, consultancy, or administrative responsibilities. Open to all academic fields and all Southeast Asian countries, the fellowship supports long-term academic careers and encourages fellows to continue contributing to Southeast Asian Studies in Southeast Asia.
Fellowship Details
- Position Title: Gosling-Lim Postdoctoral Fellow in Southeast Asian Studies
- Host Institution: An academic or research institution in Southeast Asia or abroad (excluding the applicant’s home institution or any institution with prior affiliation as a student or staff)
- Administering Body / Funding Agency: Association for Asian Studies (AAS)
- Location: Southeast Asia or international (host institution dependent)
- Research Field(s): Southeast Asian Studies (all disciplines)
- Fellowship Type: Fully funded Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
- Level: Early-career researchers
- Fellowship Duration: 10–12 months
- Expected Start Date: 2026–2027 academic year
- Working Hours: Full-time research commitment
- Funding / Compensation:
- USD 55,000 total fellowship funding
- Support for research, writing, living expenses, and accommodation
- Travel and accommodation support, including attendance at one or two professional conferences
Supported Research Fields / Areas
- Southeast Asian Studies (any discipline)
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- History, Anthropology, Geography, Economics, Political Science
- Development Studies, Cultural Studies, Area Studies
- Research covering Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Southeast Asian nationals with a single nationality
- Must hold a PhD or equivalent degree at the time of application
- PhD awarded 1–3 years before the start of the fellowship
- Research focus must be on Southeast Asia
- Currently engaged in, or intending to pursue, an academic career in Southeast Asia
Additional Eligibility Conditions:
- Dual nationals may apply if they commit to being based in Southeast Asia for at least two years after completing the fellowship
- Independent scholars intending to obtain an academic affiliation may apply
Not Eligible:
- Doctoral candidates
- Previous Gosling-Lim Postdoctoral Fellows
- Applicants holding, or intending to hold, another postdoctoral fellowship concurrently
Fellowship Benefits
- Fully funded USD 55,000 postdoctoral award
- Dedicated time for research and academic writing
- Support for conference participation and scholarly dissemination
- Opportunity to build international research networks
- Professional recognition through a prestigious AAS-administered fellowship
Key Responsibilities
- Revise and publish doctoral dissertation research or conduct new post-PhD research
- Engage in independent, career-advancing academic scholarship
- Present research findings at international conferences
- Acknowledge the fellowship in all resulting publications and presentations
- Return to Southeast Asia to actively contribute to the field following the fellowship
Application Process
How to Apply:
- Submit the complete application via the AAS online application portal
- Ensure all materials are uploaded before the deadline
Required Documents:
- Cover letter outlining fellowship use, career development, and contribution to the field
- Proof of Southeast Asian citizenship
- Proof of a PhD degree
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- 800–1,000-word research proposal with budget and dissemination plan
- One or two academic writing samples
- Statement justifying the choice of host institution
- Two academic recommendation letters
- Letter of support from the proposed host institution
- Letter of support from the applicant’s home institution, or explanation for independent scholars
Important Dates
- Application Portal Opens: 1 December 2025
- Application Deadline: 2 February 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
- Fellowship Period: 2026–2027
- Research Presentation Requirement: Within two years of project completion
Where to Apply
- Institution Website: Association for Asian Studies
- Official Fellowship Notification: Gosling-Lim Postdoctoral Fellowship in Southeast Asian Studies
- Apply Online Here: AAS Application Portal
Contact for Queries: grants@asianstudies.org
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