NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship 2025 – Secure Workspaces for Scholars at Risk

The Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) offers the Safe Haven Fellowship, a fully funded five-month residency in Amsterdam for scholars, journalists, writers, and artists whose work has been disrupted due to conflict, war, or political repression. This program provides a protected environment to continue scholarly or creative work until 31 December 2025.

 Who Is the Fellowship For?

Eligible applicants include:

• Scholars, writers, artists, or journalists at risk due to war or censorship
• Those unable to safely pursue work in their current location
• Applicants must propose a project in humanities or social sciences
• For academic applicants: minimum three years of post‑PhD research experience
• For artists or journalists: equivalent professional experience is sufficient
• Proficiency in English is required for active participation in NIAS’s community
• Must not be affiliated with institutions that the Dutch state has boycotted

 What the Fellowship Offers

Selected fellows receive:

• Monthly stipend: €3,500
• Subsidized housing or commuting support
• Reimbursement for round-trip airfare to Amsterdam
• Access to office space, research facilities, and communal lunches
• Full integration in the NIAS scholarly community, including seminars and events
• An official letter of invitation to support visa applications (visa arrangements remain the fellow’s responsibility)

 Fellowship Duration & Schedule

• Fellowship runs for five consecutive months, starting either:
  • September 2025 – January 2026
  • February 2026 – June 2026
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, reviewed two to three times per year. Submit early for full consideration.

 Application & Selection Process

Applicants must submit via the NIAS online portal, including:

• Project proposal (max. 1,000 words): research topic, significance, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes
• Motivation statement (max. 150 words): why relocation to NIAS is necessary
• Curriculum vitae (up to 2 pages), and explanation of circumstances causing risk or disruption
• For academic proposals: evidence of three years post-PhD research experience is required

Applications are assessed based on clarity, relevance, feasibility, and potential contributions to NIAS’s intellectual community.

 Why It Stands Out

• A lifeline fellowship that protects academic and creative freedom
• Allows scholars to continue work in a safe, stimulating academic environment
• Provides financial and professional support including office facilities, research networks, and peer engagement
• Open to diverse profiles—scholars, writers, journalists, and artists—in humanities and social sciences

 Official Link