Dear colleagues and friends,
We fully stand in solidarity with our fellow scholars who had to flee their countries because of the war in Ukraine and political oppression in Russia. To support researchers at risk in this volatile and deeply disturbing context, we have compiled a list of resources and support networks that various organizations have initiated. We continue to offer our best efforts to help connect scholars who are searching for relevant institutes and funding bodies for employment or funding in Germany or elsewhere.
- Secure Cloud Storage: The American Folklore Society (AFS) has taken the excellent initiative of providing free, unlimited, and secure cloud space for Ukrainian scholars and research institutions’ research data at a secure drive. If you are in contact with colleagues in need of such data storage, please write to scholarsatrisk@nomadit.co.uk and please reach out to others you know who may also be in need.
- Fellowships: The Philipp Schwartz initiative from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation will fast track applications for fellowships from Ukrainian scholars. The deadline has been extended until March 18.The Volkswagen Foundation also established a programme to support Ukranian scientists. The Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts provides scholarships for students and researchers with refugee status at state universities in Hessen.
- Fellowship Assistance: Scholars at Risk and Maynooth University provide assistance to institutions and departments who wish to create fellowships. The German Section of Scholars at Risk is also hosted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
- Support for Scholars and Students: Science for Ukraine gathers information about support and scholarships for Ukrainian scholars from all over the world. The University of New Europe compiled a collection of emergency contacts and information on fellowships and sabbaticals for scholars, students, artists, cultural workers, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders in need or at risk.
- These universities have created fellowships for Ukrainian scholars of various disciplines and/or waive fees for Ukrainian students: University of Graz, University of Vienna, University of Tübingen, University of Mainz, Aarhus University, Tbilisi State University.
- The German Research Foundation is expanding its existing funding measures by opening up the Walter Benjamin Programme with the aim of enabling academics who have fled their home country to become integrated in the German research system at any stage of their career (after completing a doctorate).
- A network is currently established to provide links and support networks for Ukrainian scholars.
- The University of Erfurt together with the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) provides an open list which is regularly updated with links to funding, scholarships etc. for hosting and supporting refugee scholars and students worldwide.
- The Swiss National Science Foundation provides funds for institutions intending to hire researchers from Ukraine as members of their team for an SNSF-funded project. Ongoing projects affected by the war can be extended. SNSF also plans more financial support for scholars in need. Contact the Swiss Section of Scholars at Risk for current information.
- The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) administers the scholarship programme “Hilde Domin”. The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who cannot pursue their education in their country of origin. Email to ukraine@daad.de with huelshoerster@daad.de in Cc to get additional help.
- Israeli universities and institutions of higher learning offer emergency fellowships for scholars and students from Ukraine.
- The Digital International Network University is a transnational teaching association of universities from Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Austria with the support of the Goethe Institute which offers studying online.
In addition to the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, other crisis regions should not be forgotten. The New University in Exile Consortium has been working to find placements for Afghan scholars, students, and artists.
A link to this list will be available on our official handles on Twitter and Facebook. If you have any new information on support initiatives, please contact us on geschaeftsstelle@dgska.de and we will add them to the list.