According to the Academic Freedom Index, academic freedom is now severely restricted in 27 countries. This means that around 3.6 billion people worldwide live without academic freedom. The SAFE programme therefore offers scientists at risk in their home countries a safe framework to continue their research at European universities or research institutions. In the pilot phase, up to 60 researchers will initially be placed at universities and research institutions across the EU and funded for two years.
The programme will start at the beginning of September and the first researchers are expected to be in the EU from spring 2025. European universities can nominate researchers from countries outside the EU for the programme. Non-EU citizens who are already recognised as refugees in the EU can also be nominated for the programme via a university in the EU.
The DAAD already offers three programmes to protect students or doctoral candidates at risk: The "Hilde Domin" programme is aimed at students and doctoral candidates at risk. The "Leadership for Africa "programme provides refugees from West, East and Central Africa in particular with a safe path to studying in Germany. Both programmes are funded by the Federal Foreign Office. In addition, the "EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar" offers university degree opportunities for students from Myanmar in the ASEAN region.
Further Reading
- DAAD (27.08.2024): DAAD launches European protection programme for threatened researchers
- Campus France (22.08.2024): Le projet européen SAFE (french)
