The Ferdinand Verbiest Institute is a Belgium-based institute sponsored by Ferdinand Verbiest Foundation - Leuven and hosted by the Catholic University of Leuven and committed to the dialogue between Europe and China.

The Institute was named after the Belgian Jesuit-astronomer at the Chinese court, Ferdinand Verbiest (1623-1688). Faithful to the inspiration of its patron, the Institute combines scholarly exchange with an active interest in the Church of China.

Historical research on the Belgian presence in China has been the red thread through the Institute's research programme since the foundation in 1982.  Currently, the Institute is strengthening  its role as an observatory on religion and society in modern China.

The Institute gathers expertise, particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of religion and Christianity in China.

By tradition, it also invests heavily in the study of 17th and 20th century missionary history of China.

• ongoing projects
• past projects

The Institute's research programme is carried out by some own researchers. The Institute also supports external researchers for designated projects.

• present researchers
• past research associates
• grantees

Staff at the Institute's Leuven office closely works together with its colleagues in Taiwan. As a bridge to mainland China, our Taipei office monitors and ensures the continuity of our programmes in China

• Leuven office and staff
• Taipei office and staff

Since the early 1980s the Institute has been involved in various forms of cooperation with the Church and Church-related organizations in China

• development and charitable work
• dialogue with civil and religious authorities
• recent initiatives

• history
• practical
• Chinese Catholic pre-1949 periodicals
• recent accessions
• list of books donated by Igor de Rachewiltz and by Svetlana Rimsky-Korsakoff and others (in progress)

• how it began
• previous Verbiest lecturers