The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Scholars at Risk (SAR) Switzerland support scientists from Ukraine

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International Relations and Study abroad Service

8 March 2022

The mission of the Scholars at Risk (SAR), an international network of institutions and individuals, is to protect threatened scholars and promote academic freedom by, for instance, arranging temporary academic positions at member universities and colleges. In this way, scholars can keep working on their ideas and research until conditions improve and are able to return to their home countries.

USI has been a member of the SAR Network since 2016 sharing those values and principles.

Due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraina, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in collaboration with the SAR Swiss Section, is providing 1 million francs to finance researchers from Ukraine who can be hosted at a Swiss university.

The Scholarship is reserved solely for Ukraine, i.e. scholars who fled due to the war or were abroad for a short time (e.g. field trip, etc.) and cannot return home now. Scholars from Ukraine who live abroad and have, for example, permanent employment or a residence permit abroad will not be considered.

Scholars without a PhD are eligible if the completion of the doctorate is to be expected shortly after the start of the placement or if the scholar has been actively engaged in research for at least three years.

SAR candidates may be eligible for the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) scholarships within the scope of its Scientific Exchanges funding scheme; indicatively one year long. Therefore, to extend the hosting duration, matching funds from personal or institutional academic funds and collaborations on research projects should be provided. 

The International Relations and Study Abroad service will provide administrative assistance and support to USI academics who are interested in welcoming a candidate within this funding scheme. Should you be interested in activating this initiative, and, or any further information related to the call- please contact Maurizia Ruinelli ([email protected]