Funding opportunities for refugee/endangered researchers
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung: Philipp Schwartz Initiative
- Gives universities and research institutions in Germany the opportunity to host endangered researchers as part of a fellowship
- Extent of funding: Fellowship/research grant or employment contract, plus a funding grant of 20,000 euros
- Funding period: up to 24 months; an extension of up to 12 months within the framework of a co-financing model can be applied for in the course of the initial funding
- Application procedure: Only scientific institutions in Germany are eligible to apply; researchers cannot apply directly
- Application deadline: 14.02.2025
- The Philipp Schwartz Initiative's main calls are only issued once a year
- Information: Webpage of the Philipp Schwartz-Initiative
- Initial contact: Dr. Kerstin Theis, Division Research Services
Bridge Fellowships to Support Applications to Philipp Schwartz Initiative for Researchers at Risk
- Target group: Researchers from all academic fields starting from post-doctoral level who are exposed to a significant and persistent personal threat in their home country and have not been in the Schengen area for more than five years (deadline 14.02.2025)
- Scope of funding: Scholarship in the amount of € 2,700 per month
- Duration: 3 months: 01.03.2025 to 30.06.2025
- Application procedure: Applications by 03.01.2025 via the university (Note: Bridge Fellowships are announced according to the availability of funds, without a fixed rhythm)
- Further information: website of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
- Initial contact: Dr. Kerstin Theis, Division Research Services
New EU-funded project: SAFE - Supporting At-risk researchers with Fellowships in Europe
The SAFE project offers fully funded fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at risk to continue their research in the European Union. Applications can only be submitted by the potential host institutions in the EU until 20 January 2025.
For further information, please contact Unit III/1 - European Research Programmes.
German-Ukrainian agreement on cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and higher education
On October 22, 2024, the Federal Government of Germany and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine signed an agreement on cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and higher education. Further details can be found in the Bundesgesetzblatt.
BMBF: German-Ukrainian research cooperation for sustainable reconstruction
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding German-Ukrainian research collaborations for the sustainable reconstruction of scientific infrastructure in Ukraine. The projects should cover areas such as energy, health and technology, with a focus on knowledge development and integration into international networks. The deadline for submissions is 31 January.
For further information, please contact Julia Maly and Birgit Luger from Unit III/2 - National Research Programmes.
MSCA: Researchers at Risk Call 2024: Support for At-Risk Researchers
- Target group: At-risk researchers in Europe. The call aims to provide tailored support for researchers exposed to significant risks.
- Scope of funding: Proposed projects should enhance coordination, offer policy recommendations, and establish a sustainable support system.
- Application: Applications can be submitted until 14 January 2025 (5:00 PM CET).
- Application process: Online submission via the designated portal.
- Information: Research Connect.
- Contact: Inquiries should be directed to Referat III/1 – European Research Programmes.
ERA4Ukraine: a one-stop-shop to support researchers of Ukraine
The European Commission launched ‘European Research Area for Ukraine' (ERA4Ukraine), a one-stop-shop for information and support services to Ukraine-based researchers and researchers fleeing Ukraine.
This specific initiative wants to support researchers of Ukraine by providing them with an overview of all existing actions at European and national levels. ERA4Ukraine is hosted on the existing EURAXESS platform, with a dedicated subpage on each of the 43 Member State and associated country's portal on which support services are listed in a structured way.
MSC4Ukraine: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for Ukraine
- Additional funding to support displaced Ukrainian researchers through the MSCA4Ukraine initiative.
- The program aims to support the reconstruction of Ukrainian research infrastructure and promote scientific cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.
- Target group: Displaced Ukrainian researchers, including doctoral students.
- Scope of funding: Further training opportunities and career development, family allowances for researchers with dependent family members, specialist support from host institutions.
- Application procedure:
- The application portal for the second call opened in August 2024 and is now closed after receiving over 550 applications.
- The selection process will be completed by early 2025 and projects will start thereafter.
- Information: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions website.
- Contacts: For further information please contact Division III/1 - European Research Programs.
DFG: Supplemental proposals/integration in currently funded projects
- For prospective, doctoral researchers, researchers with a doctorate
- All project leaders and also higher education institutions can submit supplemental proposals to integrate qualified refugees – prospective or doctoral researchers – in DFG projects that already receive funding. These proposals can be justified based on the fact that individuals are now available for the further development of a project whose involvement can be expected to provide additional stimuli for the research programme in question.
- Funding period: 1 to 3 years, depending on the project
- Extent of funding: A supplemental proposal can be geared towards any type of funding that enables refugees to be integrated in a project, in particular guest funds, staff positions and the Mercator module.
- Application procedure: online; submitted informally at any time.
- Information: DFG webpage
- Contacts: DFG head office, Michael Sommerhof, phone +49 228 885-2017; University of Passau, Division Research Services, Dr. Kerstin Theis
DFG: Walter Benjamin posts
- The program provides research funds for an independent research project. Impotant: The restriction of the target group to the early postdoc phase that otherwise exists under this programme does not apply to refugees
- Extent of funding: position as "Postdoctoral Researcher and Comparable" and grants a general allowance for direct project costs (including travel and publication costs) and, where applicable, additional funding associated with high production costs.
- Funding Period: up to two years
- Application procedure: submitted at any time; online
- Information: DFG webpage
- Contacts: DFGHead office (Fachreferat); Dr. Kerstin Theis in the Division Research Services at the University of Passau
Special programme for Ukranian researchers
- additional funds for DFG grants within the framework of individual research grants, a research group or a priority programme according to the existimg forms and guidelines for "Cooperation with Developing Countries"
- Target group: researchers (project leaders) who are still in Ukraine and whose research can be continued
- Subject of funding: funds for project implementation (individual) and living expenses up to 1.000 EUR per month per person
- Application (within DFG projects!):
- Duration: application possible until 15 September 2024
- Information:
Helmholtz Initiative for Refugees
The Helmholtz Association provides funds from the Initiative and Networking Fund to offer people from Ukraine temporary professional perspectives in Germany. In justified exceptional cases, researchers who have fled Russia or Belarus can also apply for funding.
If You are interested in the funding programm please get in touch with the contact person at the Helmholtz Center of your choice for further information.
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