The Europäische Union’s SAFE (Supporting At-Risk Researchers with Fellowships in Europe) initiative offers a lifeline to non-EU doctoral and post-doctoral researchers facing threats in their home countries. The program provides an opportunity for researchers to continue their academic work in EU research institutions under a safe and supportive environment. Applications are now open for the 2025 Fall Intake.
SAFE German Program Overview
The SAFE Fellowship program is tailored to support researchers who are at risk due to political, social, or other crises in their home countries and this fellowships are divided into two (02) distinct tracks:
- Track 1: Non-EU researchers currently outside the EU facing threats in their country of residence or who have recently fled to a third country without recognized refugee or subsidiary protection status.
- Track 2: Non-EU researchers already in the EU with recognized refugee or subsidiary protection status or holding/applying for temporary permits/visas in an EU Member State.
Benefits of the SAFE Fellowship
For fellowship recipients:
- Monthly Salary Contribution:
- €3,040 gross for doctoral researchers
- €5,080 gross for postdoctoral researchers
- Monthly Mobility Allowance: €600
- Family Allowance: €660
- Special Needs Allowance: Available upon request
For host institutions:
- Monthly Contribution to Research Training and Networking: €1,000
- Monthly Allowance for Management and Indirect Contribution: €650.
Degree Levels and Duration
The SAFE Fellowships support the following research projects:
- Doctoral Research Projects
- Postdoctoral Research Projects
Funding is awarded for a minimum of 12 months and up to 24 months, with all funding concluding no later than August 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must be:
- Non-EU doctoral or postdoctoral researchers.
- At risk due to threats in their home country or country of residence.
Applicants must align with one of the two tracks described above.
Application Deadline
The online application portal for SAFE-DAAD scholarship is open here (https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?status=&origin=&subjectGrps=&daad=&intention=&q=&page=4&detail=10000661) till 20th January 2025, at 23:59 CET.