Funding opportunities for refugee/endangered researchers

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.

• 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!):
  • within the DFG procedure "Cooperation with Developing Countries": application for the additional funds via the applicants in Germany  in the case of individual research grants, at research groups and in the priority programme
  • new research projects:  Applicants in Germany are asked to enter the total amount of funding requested for the partners in Ukraine in the elan portal in the basic module under “Material resources”/“Other” according to the forms an guidelines for "Cooperation with Developing Countries".
  • already DFG-funded projects: additional application via the elan portal
  • When initiating joint projects, funds can be applied by using the funding instrument “Initiation of International Collaboration” 
• Duration: application possible until 15 September 2024
• Information:
  • Online report "Information for Researchers" dated 13 September 2022
  • the DFG's International relations, partner organisations and funding opportunities with individual countries and regions

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

• Target Group: University graduates living in or have fled Ukraine as well as current PhD students with an Ukrainian citizenship
• In addition to its fellowship programme for university graduates and doctoral students from Central and Eastern European countries, the German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU) will now award up to 30 additional fellowships to master‘s graduates living in Ukraine or refugees.
• Extent of Funding: 1.250 EUR per month, Insurances, Travel costs, German Courses
• Application procedure: online, anytime
• Information: Webseite of the DBU

The German Mathematical Society (DMV) aims to support mathematicians from Ukraine at all stages in their career who might consider a visiting position, scholarship or other forms of scientific long-term stays in Germany.

In cooperation with Mathematics Münster, applications from mathematicians from Ukraine and offers from German mathematical institutions will be coordinated. Mathematicians from Ukraine on all career levels are invited to send their applications via this form. If a linked offer matches your profile, you can also send your application directly to the offering institution.

• Target group: former and current Gerda Henkel scholarship holders
• For the individual scholarships for endangered and refugee researchers, the Gerda Henkel Foundation is increasingly approaching earlier and current recipients. You can seek help yourself or make recommendations to support other employees at Ukrainian universities.
• Application: via the contact of the Gerda Henkel Foundation (Dr. Birte Ruhardt)
• Information: Website of the Gerda Henkel Foundation

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.