DAAD launches European protection programme for threatened researchers
Together with European partner organisations, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is launching the "Supporting at-risk researchers with fellowships in Europe" (SAFE) programme. In cooperation with Campus France, the Collège de France and the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), the DAAD is enabling up to 60 at-risk international academics to continue their research in the EU. The European Commission is providing around twelve million euros for this purpose until 2027.
"We are seeing worldwide that academic freedom is coming under increasing pressure. This is why the importance of protection programmes for threatened academics and researchers within the EU is constantly growing," explained DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee. "With the Hilde Domin Programme, we have already established a successful programme for threatened students and doctoral candidates in Germany. It is now very pleasing to be able to expand this important European pillar of protection programmes for threatened or persecuted academics together with partner organisations from France and Italy."
European cooperation for researchers at risk
According to the Academic Freedom Index, academic freedom is now severely restricted in 27 countries. This means that around 3.6 billion people worldwide live without academic freedom. The SAFE programme therefore offers scientists at risk in their home countries a safe framework to continue their research at European universities or research institutions. In the pilot phase, up to 60 researchers will initially be placed at universities and research institutions across the EU and funded for two years. The European Commission is supporting the project with twelve million euros until 2027.
The programme will start at the beginning of September and the first researchers are expected to be in the EU from spring 2025. European universities can nominate researchers from countries outside the EU for the programme. Individual applications by researchers to the DAAD are not possible. Non-EU citizens who are already recognised as refugees in the EU can also be nominated for the programme via a university in the EU.
DAAD protection programmes
The DAAD already offers three programmes to protect students or doctoral candidates at risk: The Hilde Domin programme is aimed at students and doctoral candidates at risk. The "Leadership for Africa" programme provides refugees from West, East and Central Africa in particular with a safe path to studying in Germany. Both programmes are funded by the Federal Foreign Office. In addition, the "EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar" offers university degree opportunities for students from Myanmar in the ASEAN region.
Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Philipp Effertz
Head of Unit ST33 Middle East, North Africa & Hilde Domin Programme
DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service
+49 228 882-8611
info.safe@daad.de
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