Research Information

• Short description: The Philipp Schwartz Initiative enables universities and research institutions in Germany to host researchers at risk on the basis of a full fellowship. It is earmarked for a period of up to 24 months; application may be made during the initial fellowship period for an extension of up to 12 months in the framework of a co-financing model. The host institution receives a lump sum allowance of € 20,000 for each individual sponsored. The researcher at risk is taken up by an academic host and mentor. Please contact Dr. Barbara Weiner, Dezernat 1, with interest in this funding program: dezernat1 [at] uni-leipzig.de.
• Deadline: 15 September 2023 (internal deadline Leipzig University: 25.08.2023)
• Further information

• Short description: The (DFG) supports researchers who have fled their home countries by making it easier for them to join research projects and apply for funding under the Walter Benjamin Programme. This way, the DFG also underlines its solidarity with researchers from Ukraine and Russia who had to flee their home country due to the current war situation triggered by the Russian attack. The following requirements must be met in principle:
  • The person has not been outside their home country for more than three years at the time of application and
  • they have residential status in connection with an asylum procedure within the EU and are recognised as being at risk, or
  • in lieu of proof of residency status, they are able to present credible third-party evidence of being at risk no more than 12 months prior to application, e.g. documentation provided by the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) or Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA).
  • Individuals are only eligible for sponsorship if they have not previously been sponsored through the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Philipp Schwartz Initiative and the Federal Foreign Office or under any comparable programme for integration in the academic system.
• Walter Benjamin Programme: Refugee researchers can submit a proposal for their own project to be carried out in Germany under the Walter Benjamin Programme. The restriction of the target group to the early postdoc phase that otherwise exists under this programme does not apply to refugees.
• Supplemental proposals/integration in current funding programmes: 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. 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. Refugee researchers can also be funded directly as part of Research Training Groups, Collaborative Research Centres and other DFG-funded joint projects. The funds for this do not have to be applied for separately via supplemental proposals because this type of measure can be financed from funds that have already been approved.

• Funds for researchers in Ukraine: Cooperation with Developing Countries: Within the framework of the existing DFG procedure "Cooperation with Developing Countries", applicants for research grants in Germany can now apply for funds for the living expenses of the Ukrainian project leaders in the amount of a maximum of 1,000 euros per month per project leader in addition to funds for project implementation in Ukraine. German researchers can apply for theses funds in new research grants as well as supplement to already DFG funded research grants.

• Deadline: none
• Further information

The European Commission has launched the MSCA4Ukraine scheme as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. MSCA4Ukraine will provide fellowships for doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers. Scientists who will receive support through this scheme will be able to continue their work in academic or non-academic organisations in in EU member states and countries associated to Horizon Europe. The scheme will also allow them to re-establish themselves in Ukraine when it will be possible to rebuild the country’s research and innovation capacity.

Deadline: The portal is currently closed for applications.

For more information join the MSCA4Ukraine mailing list.

Please contact our EU office - Gerhard Fuchs - when you are interested in this scheme.

• Short description: The IIE-SRF is the only global program that arranges, funds, and supports fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at partnering higher education institutions worldwide. These year-long fellowships of $25,000USD support temporary academic positions at institutions of higher learning anywhere in the world where IIE-SRF fellows can continue their work in safety. In most cases, IIE-SRF fellows are eligible to apply for a second and final year of fellowship support.
• Deadline: none
• Further information

• Short description:
  • To help sponsorship recipients from Ukraine, the Humboldt Foundation is offering special arrangements for alumni stays and fellowship extensions.
  • If you have not previously been funded by the Humboldt Foundation and would like to apply for a research fellowship for the first time, you also can contact the advisory team.
    FuRther information
• Contact list:
  • List of researchers who can provide research opportunites in their institutes (with and without funding)
    Further information
     

This online platform support researchers of Ukraine by providing them with an overview of all existing actions at European and national levels.

learn more

• Short description: Calling for solidarity with Ukraine and life scientists working there, EMBO is launching a list of scientists across Europe and beyond who are able to offer assistance to scientists forced to leave Ukraine. An example could be the provision of laboratory or office workplaces, accommodation or help in arranging further contacts. If you are in a position to offer any assistance, please consider adding yourself to the list.
• Further information

• Short description: #ScienceForUkraine is a community group of volunteer students and research scientists from academic institutions in Europe and around the world. Its mission is to collect and disseminate information about support opportunities at the university, national, and international level for students and researchers directly affected by the recent Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On the website you will find a wide range of paid academic positions for scientists (PhD student or above), academic transfer opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as temporary housing.
• Further information

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): Offers of assistance for Ukrainian students and scientists

• Short description: The DAAD receives many tips about donation and support campaigns for Ukrainian students and academics. It regularly reviews these and make them available in bundled form under "Offers of assistance". It also refers to existing and future aid measures of the DAAD and other German academic institutions.
• Further information

On the website of the "National Academic Contact Point Ukraine", the DAAD bundles extensive information and the manifold offers of assistance of German science for Ukrainian students and researchers. In addition to the direct offers of assistance, the website also covers German universities, the Alliance of Science Organizations and other institutions and organizations in the science system. The website is also available in Ukrainian language.

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Call for proposals for the programme Digital Ukraine – Securing Academic Success in Times of Crisis by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) 

• Short description: The programme supports higher education institutions in Ukraine in implementing and maintaining digital teaching offers so that students in Ukraine can continue and complete their studies. At the same time, it provides refugee Ukrainian students at German higher education institutions a virtual platform to continue and complete their ongoing studies in Ukraine. The Funding period is from 1 June 2022 at the earliest until 31 December 2022 with a maximum funding amount of € 250,000 for mobilities, personnel and material resources. The programme is open to all disciplines.
• Deadline: 31.05.2022
• FUTHER INFORMATION (in German)

Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, German Research Foundation, Fraunhofer Society, German Rectors' Conference, Leibniz Association, National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, German Academic Exchange Service, Helmholtz Association, Max Planck Society, German Science and Humanities Council)

• Short description: The Alliance of German Science Organisations strongly supports the Federal Government’s consistent action against Russia's belligerent attack on Ukraine, which is in violation of international law. The Alliance of Science Organisations will discuss further steps in this crisis situation in close consultation with each other as well as with the Federal Government and other political decisionmakers. Decisions must then be made by the individual organisations or member institutions. Even at this stage, however, it is recommend that academic cooperation with state institutions and business enterprises in Russia be frozen with immediate effect until further notice, that German research funds no longer benefit Russia, and that no joint events take place of an academic nature or those pertaining to research policy. New cooperation projects should not be initiated at the present time.
• Further information

Programs for Researchers in Germany

Short description: The (DFG) supports researchers who have fled their home countries by making it easier for them to join research projects and apply for funding under the Walter Benjamin Programme. This way, the DFG also underlines its solidarity with researchers from Ukraine and Russia who had to flee their home country due to the current war situation triggered by the Russian attack. The following requirements must be met in principle:

• The person has not been outside their home country for more than three years at the time of application and
• they have residential status in connection with an asylum procedure within the EU and are recognised as being at risk, or
• in lieu of proof of residency status, they are able to present credible third-party evidence of being at risk no more than 12 months prior to application, e.g. documentation provided by the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) or Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA).
• Individuals are only eligible for sponsorship if they have not previously been sponsored through the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Philipp Schwartz Initiative and the Federal Foreign Office or under any comparable programme for integration in the academic system.
• Walter Benjamin Programme: Refugee researchers can submit a proposal for their own project to be carried out in Germany under the Walter Benjamin Programme. The restriction of the target group to the early postdoc phase that otherwise exists under this programme does not apply to refugees.
• Supplemental proposals/integration in current funding programmes: 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. 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. Refugee researchers can also be funded directly as part of Research Training Groups, Collaborative Research Centres and other DFG-funded joint projects. The funds for this do not have to be applied for separately via supplemental proposals because this type of measure can be financed from funds that have already been approved.
• Deadline: none
• Further information

Special program for cooperations with researchers in Ukraine

Due to the ongoing war, researchers are struggling or unable to make a living because their positions are no longer fully funded or not funded at all. For this reason, the DFG is now offering separate support for Ukrainian researchers (project leaders) who are in Ukraine and are still able to pursue research: in the case of Research Grants, Research Units and Priority Programmes and under the existing DFG procedure “Cooperation with Developing Countries”, applicants in Germany can now apply for funds to cover the living expenses of Ukrainian project leaders in a maximum amount of €1,000 per month per project leader for project implementation in Ukraine, and can pass these funds on to the individuals concerned in the event of approval.

• Deadline: none
• Further information

• Short description: The DAAD restricts academic exchange with Russia, maintains access channels to Germany. In contrast, we are continuing the DAAD scholarship programmes for students and researchers from Russia. Russian DAAD scholarship holders who are already in Germany will also keep their scholarships and can continue their stay as agreed. In this way, we want to strengthen Russians who, like us, advocate an international community based on rules and values.The following activities are currently suspended:
  • The realization of DAAD-funded stays by German students, lecturers and researchers at Russian higher education institutions
  • Joint events between German and Russian institutes of higher education
  • Joint activities with and direct funding of Russian academic institutions by the DAAD
• Further information

• Short description: Cooperation with Russia in science and research as well as in vocational training is currently stopped. All current and planned measures with Russia will be frozen and critically reviewed as well. There will be no new collaborations for the time being. With regard to large-scale international research projects based in Germany with significant Russian participation, the BMBF spokeswoman referred to the BMBF's obligations under international law, which are "of course" being met.
• Further information

Statement on Research

• Short description: It is decided to suspend the preparations of grant agreements for four projects under the Horizon Europe programme that involve five Russian research organisations. Signing of any new contracts will be put on hold until further notice. Furthermore, any payments to Russian entities under existing contracts are to be suspended.
• Further information

Ukraine’s association agreement to Horizon Europe and Euratom Research and Training Programmes enters into force

• Short description: On 9th of June 2022 the agreement associating Ukraine to Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme (2021-2027) and the Euratom Research and Training Programme (2021-2025) entered into force, following its ratification by Ukraine. The Ukrainian research and innovation actors can now fully participate in these programmes on equal terms with entities from the EU Members States. In view of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s commitment to offer tangible means of support to the Ukrainian research and innovation community, Ukraine will participate in Horizon Europe and Euratom Programmes without having to contribute financially for years 2021 and 2022. 
• Further Information

• Short description: The institutes are informed that the Max Planck Society is prepared to provide central funds at short notice, and with the least possible amount of bureaucracy, to enable Ukrainian scientists associated with Max Planck Institutes to continue their work with the support of local scholarship programmes.
• Further information

• Short description: The SMWK strongly condemns the attack on Ukraine and would like to support scientists and students from Ukraine. Concrete aid measures are still being worked out together with the State Rectors' Conference. However, it is already planned to extend- scholarships and to continue to employ scientific staff whose projects had to be cancelled due to the war.
• Further information

• Short description: The Gerda Henkel Foundation is making grants totalling 2 million euros available for Ukrainian scholars. The funding will be spread across three pillars: Up to one million euros will go to the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation programme for researchers threatened by war or persecution in their home countries. Up to 500,000 euros will be allocated to the non-profit organization MitOst e.V., which is busy coordinating humanitarian assistance measures in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. A similar sum of 500,000 euros will be made available for an in-house scholarship programme with which the Gerda Henkel Foundation is initially reaching out to persons who have in the past received or are at present receiving grants, with the intention being to make it possible for them to stay at research institutes and universities in Germany and Europe.
• Further information