In so doing, the Institute aims to promote a more integrated understanding of present-day Asian realities as well as to pioneer new approaches to Asian Studies in a changing global context, and, more specifically, to contribute to new humanistically-informed and policy-relevant knowledge about Asia.

The International Institute for Asian Studies was, and still is, hosted by Leiden University, which provides office space as well as administrative and IT services.

The Institute additionally generates income from external sources, via grants, subsidies, and the joint execution of programmes.

While upholding its original mission, over the years the Institute has adapted and expanded its programmatic agenda in response to the demands of a changing global context.

Activities include multi-year research programmes and the building of academic networks, the organisation of international conferences and roundtables, a fellowship and a publication programme, PhD in-situ masterclasses, and the publication of a free periodical on Asian Studies (titled, The Newsletter).