In a bold and compassionate move to protect academic freedom and creative expression, the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) has officially opened applications for its 2025 Safe Haven Fellowship. This vital program offers a unique opportunity for scholars, writers, journalists, and artists who are at risk due to conflict, war, or oppressive regimes to temporarily relocate to a safe, supportive academic environment in Amsterdam.
What Is the Safe Haven Fellowship?
The NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship provides a five-month funded residency for individuals whose work has been obstructed, censored, or endangered in their home countries. The fellowship enables recipients to continue their intellectual, creative, or journalistic pursuits in a safe and collegial environment. For the 2025 cycle, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Maastricht University (UM) are proud official partners of the program.
What the Fellowship Offers?
- Duration: 5 months (either September–January or February–June)
- Monthly Stipend: €3,500
- Travel Support: Reimbursement of round-trip travel to Amsterdam
- Accommodation: Subsidized housing or commuting expenses
- Workspace & Facilities: Office space, access to research resources, communal lunches, and integration into the NIAS scholarly community
- Invitation Letter: Issued by NIAS to facilitate visa applications (note: visa arrangements must be handled by the applicant).
Important Note: The Safe Haven Fellowship is temporary and does not lead to long-term residence or employment in the Netherlands.
Who Can Apply?
- Individuals who are unable to work safely or freely in their current locations due to war or political repression.
- Applicants from humanities or social sciences backgrounds, or those working on related cultural, journalistic, or artistic projects.
- For academic applicants: At least three (03) years of research experience post-PhD is required. (Not mandatory for journalists or artists.)
- Proficiency in English is essential to engage with the NIAS community.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their application through NIAS’s online application portal, including:
- A project proposal (max. 1000 words)
- A brief motivation explaining the necessity of a stay at NIAS (max. 150 words)
- A statement detailing reasons for seeking refuge or inability to work safely
- Evaluation criteria will consider the clarity of the proposal, relevance, methodology, feasibility, expected outcomes, and the applicant’s contribution to the NIAS academic environment.
Apply: https://nias.knaw.nl/fellowships/safe-haven-fellowship-for-scholars-at-risk/.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship 2025 is 31 December 2025 at 23:59 (CET).
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