NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship 2026

In a time when academic freedom is in danger in many places, the NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship gives us hope. This amazing program from the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study does more than just give money. It also gives intellectuals a safe place to stay when their work or safety is threatened by war or persecution.

Why This Fellowship Is Important

The Safe Haven program is different from other academic scholarships because it only helps researchers, authors, and journalists who can't work freely in their own countries. Some of the most recent fellows have been:

• A Syrian historian who is writing on how war zones destroy culture
• A journalist from Ukraine looking into wartime propaganda
• A professor of women's studies from Afghanistan who had to leave after the Taliban took control

Better Benefits Package

In addition to basic financial help, fellows get:

• Holistic Support System: Help with mental health and the law
• Professional Networking: Only you can get into the best academic institutions in Europe.
• Family Accommodations: You can bring dependents with you on a case-by-case basis.
• Publication Help: Help getting sensitive research out there safely

Who Should Apply?

The initiative is looking for people who:

• Are in immediate danger or have escaped conflict zones in the previous three years
• Can show how their work helps people around the world understand important topics
• Can show past academic or professional success (artists and journalists have more flexible requirements)

Insights on Applications

Successful proposals usually:

• Make a clear link between their research and current humanitarian situations
• Show how NIAS resources help them deal with their problems in a specific way
• Include strong personal stories regarding their experience of being displaced

Results of the Fellowship

Former fellows have gone on to:

• Get permanent jobs at European institutions
• Publish significant work on conflict studies
• Set up NGOs to safeguard academic freedom
• Give evidence to international human rights groups

Deadline Alert: December 31, 2025 (5:00 PM CET)

Apply Now

For scholars who have had to move, this isn't just another chance to get money. It's a chance to get your voice back, keep doing your important work, and join a global group that is dedicated to safeguarding knowledge as a human right. Get your application ready early because the selection process takes into account extra protection for applicants who are at high risk.