In the first phase, WIAS will periodically conduct the following sorts of activities:

• Workshops in relevant areas of research, typically of 2-6 weeks' duration open to advanced students chosen by a competitive process, with weightage for developing countries
• 'Leading Ideas' seminars lasting a week to a fortnight, open to leaders from diverse fields.
• Conduct Associate (Postgraduate) and Associate (Predoctoral) programmes.

The admission phase of the Associate (Postgraduate I) programme will commence in 2010 for enrolments the following academic year under the aegis of the World College for Advanced Study, a teaching wing alongside the World Institute which will contribute to mutual enrichment of research and education.