Philipp Schwartz Initiative
The Philipp Schwartz Initiative provides fellowships for at-risk researchers to continue their scientific work at German institutions, supporting academic freedom and career continuity for scholars facing personal threats.
Funder: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Due Dates: July 31, 2026 (threat assessment requests) | August 21, 2026 (application submission, 18th call)
Funding Amounts: Fellowship: €3,000/month for up to 24 months (plus mobility and insurance allowances); €20,000 lump sum per fellow to host institution; possible 6–12 month extension (co-financing required).
Summary: Enables at-risk researchers to continue their academic work at German institutions via fellowships and institutional support.
Key Information: Researchers must be nominated by a German institution; direct applications by individuals are not accepted.
Description
The initiative supports researchers facing acute and ongoing personal threats in their home countries, enabling them to continue their scholarly work at universities and research institutions in Germany. The program provides full fellowships to individual researchers and a support allowance to host institutions, fostering academic freedom and new scientific careers. The initiative collaborates with international partners and is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and several foundations.
