IIAS research is carried out under the aegis of the three programmatic thematic clusters Asian cities, Asian heritages, and Global Asia. IIAS also welcomes research in other areas.
IIAS is involved in research programmes that address and seek to solve societal questions relevant to present-day Asian societies while paying attention to both current and historical trends. Moreover, IIAS stimulates a multi-faceted approach to the study of Asia. By bringing scholars and practitioners together, IIAS strives to enable both "full blooded science" and "science for society".
Almost everything that IIAS undertakes is based on co-operation. IIAS aims to initiate and facilitate innovative research in the study of Asia and to create academic networks on a national, European and global level. IIAS also operates in collaboration with cultural, societal and political institutions that focus on Asia.
IIAS is keen to enable talented, young researchers to develop new research plans.
IIAS wishes to reach out to the non-academic world. IIAS engages in various outreach activities to bring a wider public in contact with Asian cultures and societies. It is involved in initiatives that have a marked relevance to today's Asian and European societies.
