Instituut Gak Fellowship

During the fellowship, researchers are able to concentrate fully on their research and the in-depth study of their chosen topic in the field of social security or labour market policy. Fellows may focus on producing new academic knowledge (preferably leading to publications), developing a grant proposal, or working on solutions to practical problems.

The stimulating international environment at NIAS provides researchers with the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary community of scholars.

Previous Instituut Gak Fellows have explored a wide range of issues in social security and labour market policy, including the effectiveness of income support, the declining role of collective labour agreements, and public attitudes towards anti-discrimination measures. An overview of past fellows and their projects can be found on the Fellowship page of the Instituut Gak website (in Dutch).

The fellowship is open to researchers between three and ten years after completing their PhD. Applicants must hold a temporary or permanent contract at a Dutch or Flemish university and/or research institute.

The working language at NIAS is English. Applicants must have a good command of English in order to contribute effectively to the fellows’ group and to benefit from feedback on their own research.

• Instituut Gak offers up to two five-month fellowships per year at NIAS.

• Fellows are provided with an office in the NIAS building, including research facilities, and, where eligible, subsidised accommodation.

• Fellows also receive either a stipend or a Dutch University Grant.

Applications must be submitted via the online application form. The call for the academic year 2026–2027 is open from 28 October to 9 December 2025.

NIAS-KNAW is responsible for processing all fellowship applications. The Board of Instituut Gak, advised by its Scientific Council, selects suitable candidates. The final decision rests with the NIAS Director.

Applications are evaluated on the basis of:

1. The scientific quality and originality of the project proposal

2. The significance of the project for the system of social security and labour market policy in the Netherlands

3. The candidate’s academic achievements

4. The potential for valorisation and possible policy implications

Candidates will be informed of the outcome by April 2026.

Instituut Gak is a foundation that seeks to improve the quality of social security and labour market policy in the Netherlands by funding projects and scientific research. It supports numerous research initiatives and has established twenty endowed chairs at Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences.