From scholarships from large foundations to individual university initiatives, the German scientific community is trying to help those who did research in Ukraine and fled the war. Let’s talk about how to get it.
Environmental scholarship for scientists from Ukraine
The German Federal Environment Fund (DBU), in support of Ukraine, expanded its scholarship program for young scientists from Central and Eastern Europe by allocating 30 additional scholarships for Ukrainians.
Fellows in the field of ecology and environmental protection can spend 6 to 12 months in a German visiting organization – a university, research institute or environmental organization. University graduates with a master’s degree and postgraduate students with Ukrainian citizenship, as well as knowledge of English or German, can participate in the program.
About the scholarship on the DBU website
You can apply online right now, there are no deadlines yet. The applicant should send his biography, a short description of the project topic and a scan of the diploma. The amount of the scholarship is 1250 euros per month. The payment start date is determined individually. The Foundation also reimburses travel expenses, insurance, organizes German language courses and educational seminars. Additional information – here.
Help from the German Research Community
The German Research Community (DFG) has a separate program to support scientists at any stage of their careers who had to leave their homeland – the Walter Benjamin Programm. It also applies to Ukrainian scientists – refugees and Russians who are persecuted in Russia for political reasons. An important condition is that at the time of application, the applicant has not been outside his country for more than three years and has not applied for help under a similar program – Philipp Schwartz-Initiative. Program participants receive the opportunity of financial support for up to two years and employment in one of the German scientific organizations, where they can either participate in current research as a postdoctoral student or work on their own project. As DW explained in the German Research Community, scientists themselves can apply directly to the DFG, but they must first find a guest organization, as the goal of this program is to integrate refugee researchers into the German scientific system. You can apply at any time, there are no deadlines. The DFG promises that applications submitted now can be approved as early as this year. You can find more information with contact details at this link.
Philipp Schwartz Initiative
The German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation also provides assistance to scientists who find themselves in danger in their homeland. As part of the Philipp Schwartz-Initiative, foreign scientists receive a scholarship or work contract to do research at universities or other scientific organizations in Germany for two years with the possibility of extending for another year.
Germany accepted about 300 thousand refugees from Ukraine
The application must be submitted through a German host organization, which the scientist must find himself. Among the requirements for applicants are a candidate’s degree, the availability of scientific publications, knowledge of the language necessary for conducting research. At the moment, the acceptance of applications is closed. The new set is scheduled to open in June this year. A list of organizations willing to host scientists from Ukraine can be found here.
Helmholtz unification
The largest research organization in Germany – the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers – helps with finances and employment for both scientists and those involved in the field of scientific management. The methods and conditions for providing support vary depending on the research centers that are part of the association. Therefore, Ukrainian refugees are advised to apply directly to one of them. The list of research centers and contacts is available here.
Support initiatives from German universities
Individual universities place their proposals to support Ukrainian scientists in Germany. In particular, at the University of Bochum, the Research Department for Modeling and Design of Underground Structures offers several options for guest stays. For example, graduate students and postdocs can receive a scholarship for three months. Depending on the module, there are time limits for applying online. Ukrainian scientists are promised maximum flexibility in terms of the duration and scale of support. Detailed information and forms are here.
The Hochschule Rhine-Main in Wiesbaden is ready to host Ukrainian scientists for half a year and offers four scholarships to continue research in the field of social sciences. Apply by April 30th. Four more scholarships for those involved in economics and law have already been distributed at the local business school.
The University of Greifswald also offers scholarships to Ukrainian scientists at any stage of their careers to stay at this university for three months or longer if necessary.
It is worth noting that many universities that worked closely with universities in Ukraine before the war are trying to help scientists they already know. Allocating funds from their budget, they invite them temporarily to their work or offer to make presentations for fees. Therefore, it is better to use your contacts directly first.
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