In a powerful show of academic solidarity and humanitarian support, the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) is now accepting applications for the Safe Haven Fellowship 2025. This unique program is designed specifically to support scholars, journalists, writers, and artists whose work is endangered due to the consequences of conflict or war.
If you or someone you know is being silenced, restricted, or forced to flee their professional environment due to war, political unrest, or repression, this 5-month fellowship could be the vital opportunity needed to continue your intellectual or creative work in safety.
What is the Safe Haven Fellowship?
The Safe Haven Fellowship offers temporary relocation to Amsterdam for early- to mid-career individuals who are at risk. The aim is to safeguard academic freedom and creative expression by providing a supportive, interdisciplinary research community through NIAS.
This initiative is backed by prominent partners including the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Maastricht University (UM), reinforcing the Netherlands’ ongoing commitment to freedom of thought and scholarly refuge.
Safe Haven Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- €3,500 monthly stipend for 5 months
- Subsidized accommodation in Amsterdam
- Outward and return travel reimbursement
- Office space and research facilities
- Daily communal lunch
- Access to the vibrant NIAS academic and cultural community
Fellows are expected to actively participate in the NIAS environment and contribute to the intellectual life of the institute.
Note: NIAS will issue a letter of invitation, but visa arrangements remain the responsibility of the fellow.
Fellowship Duration
Fellowships are offered in two cycles:
- September 2025 – January 2026
- February 2026 – June 2026.
Who Can Apply?
This fellowship is open to:
- Scholars (minimum 3 years of post-PhD research experience)
- Writers
- Artists
- Journalists
Applicants must demonstrate that their work has been hindered or endangered by conflict or political repression, and the proposal must fall within the humanities and/or social sciences. For artists or journalists, a PhD is not mandatory. English proficiency is essential, as NIAS operates in an English-speaking environment.
Apply: https://nias.knaw.nl/fellowships/safe-haven-fellowship-for-scholars-at-risk/.
