As part of the third round of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) has successfully been given another opportunity to award Philipp Schwartz scholarships to two at-risk researchers. The anthropologist and philosopher Dr İclal Ayşe Küçükkırca from Turkey and a chemist from Syria hope to be able to come to Berlin in summer 2017 with the help of the HU support, in order to spend two years researching at the HU as stipendiaries.

They intend to use the Philipp Schwartz scholarships to continue their scientific careers, which they have had to suspend due to the current situation in their home countries. The host HU scientists will provide assistance to the two fellows as they prepare their stays in Berlin and look forward to the new research impetus that the two new scholarship recipients will bring.

HU President Sabine Kunst said:

“We are delighted to be able to offer professional prospects to a further two scientists in connection with the Philipp Schwartz Initiative in addition to the Philipp Schwartz scholarships already awarded in 2016. Our university gains two outstanding researchers in both these stipendiaries.”

About the Philipp Schwartz scholarships

Following a competitive process, 56 scholarships are awarded throughout Germany as part of the third round of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative. The Philipp Schwartz Initiative was established by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office and enables universities, universities of applied sciences and extramural research institutions in Germany to offer scholarships for research placements for researchers and scientists at risk. The initiative is financed by the Federal Foreign Office, the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen and Halbach Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the Klaus Tschira Foundation, the Robert Bosch Foundation as well as the donors’ association and foundation Mercator.

Supporting endangered researchers as a member of Scholars at Risk

The HU also intends to further support at-risk researchers worldwide with its membership in the network ‘Scholars at Risk’ (SAR), obtained in June 2017. SAR is an international network in which over 400 universities, research institutions and other scientific organisations work together in 39 countries. The network aims to promote awareness for the concerns of at-risk researchers around the world and improve scientific freedom.

The membership allows HU scientists and HU students to participate in the following activities of Scholars at Risk: Organising common events with scientists and researchers from the SAR network as part of the SAR Speaker Series, Supporting detained scientists and researchers through the student advocacy seminars and action campaigns, Becoming involved in the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project, Participating in SAR conferences and workshops

Further information

At-risk researchers as well as potential hosts at the HU can get in touch with the central contact partner for HU ‘Refugees Welcome’ initiatives at the Internationalisation Office. The office provides quick and unbureaucratic advice in close consultation with various internal contacts according to their individual situation. The Internationalisation Office also provides further information about the membership in Scholars at Risk.

• Press release of the Alexander von Humbolt Foundation
• Information about the Philipp Schwartz Initiative
• RefugeesWelcome an der HU
• Scholars at Risk

Contact „Refugees Welcome an der HU“

Inse Böhming
Central contact partner for HU initiatives ‘Refugees Welcome’
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Phone: 030 2093-20092
inse.boehmig@hu-berlin.de

Press contact

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Staff Unit for Press and Public Relations Work

Phone: 030 2093-2945
pr@hu-berlin.de