There are many more threats to scholars than capture our eye and the world’s attention.
January 15 2025, the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS) launches a continuous call for applications to the Safe Haven Fellowship Programme. Scholars at risk seeking refuge can from then on apply without the restriction of specific call slots.
Seek refuge when needed
Two or three times a year, applications are reviewed and selected candidates invited. The Safe Haven Call invites researchers – whether scholars, artists, or journalists – that subscribe to our mission and are at risk from attacks, exclusion, or hardship. On 15 January, you can find further details on our website.
Extended to all scholars at risk
Three years ago, the war in Ukraine led NIAS to establish the Safe Haven Fellowship Programme. In March 2024 the armed conflict in Gaza prompted us to extend the 2024 call and to specifically invite applications from researchers affected by this war. Earlier that year we had already decided that the Safe Haven Fellowship Programme should be opened up to all scholars in fear and urgent need, anywhere in the world.
From Sudan to Hong Kong
Our fellows community is profoundly troubled by the gross effects of conflict and political tension on academic life and ecosystems. We recognise that there are many more threats than capture our eye and the world’s attention. Among these are the destructive civil war in Sudan, the armed gang terror in Haiti, the National Security Law in Hong Kong, and the political right holding sway in Europe. NIAS is dedicated to academic freedoms. While fostering independent and undisturbed research at our institute, we also aim to actively promote these freedoms in words and actions.
Objections to current exclusion of affiliated Russian scholars
NIAS facilitates collaboration with and between researchers of any nationality, ethnicity, religion or affiliation. We therefore object to current and overruling generic policies of exclusion of scholars with affiliations to Russian institutions. Read more about these concerns in this interview with two of our Safe Haven Fellows from Ukraine and Russia.
Severing ties when necessary
To uphold our commitment to accessibility for individual scholars, we may occasionally need to reject bilateral ties with institutions that undermine academic freedom. This involves addressing actors responsible for its deterioration while maintaining credibility with affected scholars. However, it does not require proactively severing ties with all institutions in regions where academic freedoms are already precarious.
Support the Safe Haven Fellowship Programme
Threats to academic freedoms far exceed the capacity of NIAS’ Safe Haven Fellowship Programme. Therefore, we seek your assistance and financial support. Learn more here and please help by donating to our Safe Haven Fellowship Programme. For other supportive ideas, please email communication@nias.knaw.nl with “Safe Haven” in the subject line.
