17th IATS Seminar 2026 – Call for Submissions

Dear Colleagues,

We are now inviting interested scholars to submit their proposals for the 17th IATS Seminar, which will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal (23 – 29 August 2026) and hosted by the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies, Kathmandu University (HiCAS, KU) and Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute (KU-CBS at RYI).

The registration program is now open. You can submit proposals for a panel or an individual paper. The deadline for submission has been extended until October 15, 2025.

Registration will continue to be hosted by Conftool and is available in English and Tibetan. Please note that all participants will be required to create a new Conftool account. To submit a proposal, please:

Create an account in Conftool here;
Submit your proposal (if necessary, instructions in English and Tibetan are available on the Kathmandu IATS 2026 website.

Please use English or Tibetan to fill out the submission form.

You will receive information about the acceptance of your proposal by January 15, 2026.
You will then be asked to complete the final registration of participation and transfer the conference fee payment.

The anticipated registration fee for the Seminar is ca. 350 EUR. The registration fee includes lunches throughout the conference. IATS attendees will be responsible for their own transportation, arrangement of accommodation, and accommodation costs, in addition to the registration fee as in past years. We will provide a list of available lodging options close to the venue in a separate announcement. The list will also be available on the Kathmandu IATS 2026 website.

A small number of fellowships will be available, with preference given to scholars from Himalayan areas and to financially disadvantaged scholars. Sightseeing and further cultural programs will also be available but at additional cost. The cultural offers will be announced later. Details will follow soon.

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the adjacent Taragaon Museum in Boudha, Kathmandu. Located a mere five-minute walk from the renowned Boudha Stupa—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the venue offers open access to the vibrant Himalayan cultural setting that surrounds it. The Boudha area is well-equipped with a wide range of accommodations and dining options to suit all budgets. It is also home to the Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, housed within the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery.

Boudha Stupa – UNESCO world heritage site