The Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) has officially opened applications for the Safe Haven Fellowship for the first semester of the 2026–2027 academic year, offering a vital lifeline to scholars and cultural practitioners whose work has been threatened or halted due to conflict, war, or severe restrictions in their home region.
Applications for the first semester close on 31 March 2026 at 12:00 noon CET, and the call for the second semester will open immediately afterward.
This news alert guides global applicants—especially those facing censorship, persecution, or obstruction—through key fellowship details, benefits, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
What Is the NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship?
The Safe Haven Fellowship is designed for established researchers, writers, journalists, and artists who can no longer safely or freely carry out their work due to conflict or political repression.
The programme provides temporary relocation to Amsterdam, where fellows can resume their research or creative work in a safe, supportive, and intellectually rich environment.
This is not just an academic fellowship—it is a protection mechanism for individuals whose intellectual or artistic contributions are endangered. In 2025, Maastricht University and the University of Amsterdam (UvA) became official partners, strengthening the programme’s reach and impact.
Fellowship Benefits
Fellows selected for the Safe Haven Programme receive a structured five-month residency with full academic and logistical support, including:
- Five-Month Fully Supported Research Stay: Fellows can choose either the September–January or February–June residency, with access to an individual office, research facilities, and NIAS’ interdisciplinary community.
- Monthly Stipend: Fellows receive €3,500 per month to support living and research-related expenses.
- Housing & Living Support: Fellows receive subsidised accommodation in Amsterdam or reimbursement for commuting travel costs, along with daily communal lunch and full access to the NIAS academic environment.
- Travel Support: NIAS covers both outward and return travel expenses for all selected fellows.
- Invitation Letter: All selected fellows receive an official invitation letter required for visa applications (visa arrangements must be handled by the fellow independently).
Who Can Apply?
The Safe Haven Fellowship is open to established researchers, cultural practitioners, and media professionals.
- Eligible Applicant Groups: The Safe Haven Fellowship is open to established researchers, cultural practitioners, and media professionals.
- Academic Applicants Must: Hold a PhD and have at least three years of postdoctoral research experience.
- Non-Academic Applicants Must: Have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in fields such as journalism, art, creative writing, or cultural work.
- Language Requirement: Applicants must have full proficiency in English, as NIAS operates in an English-speaking academic environment.
- Additional Restrictions: NIAS does not accept applicants affiliated with institutions boycotted by the Dutch state, and individuals cannot apply if they already have another NIAS application under review. All applications must be written and submitted personally by the applicant; submissions prepared or sent by intermediaries are automatically rejected.
Apply: https://nias.knaw.nl/fellowships/safe-haven-fellowship-for-scholars-at-risk/
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Safe Haven Fellowship for the first semester of the 2026–2027 academic year is 31 March 2026 at 12:00 noon CET.