European Fund for Displaced Scientists

INFORMATION REGARDING FUNDING LINE 1

Funding line 1 of the EFDS provides funds to academic institutions in Europe that are willing and able to host researchers who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine. The aim is to provide immediate assistance to scholars in the continuation of their research in a safe environment. The period for the applications is now closed.

Who can apply?

The application is open to academic institutions (“the host institution”), including universities, academies, and other research-performing organisations that are based in a Council of Europe member state, and that plan to host researchers who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine (“the beneficiaries”).

Applications must be submitted according to the principle “one beneficiary, one application.” Host institutions can apply for up to one-year of funding to set up new or maintain existing positions for researchers who have fled Ukraine. Applications must be submitted by the host institution and should be co-signed by the beneficiary. There is no limit to the number of beneficiaries that a host institution can apply funding for. Institutions dedicated to military research are not eligible for funding.

Who benefits?

The funding programme helps scholars from all nationalities and scientific disciplines who have left or are seeking to leave Ukraine as a consequence of the war (the beneficiaries). Eligible beneficiaries include postdoctoral and senior researchers, as well as assistant, associate, or full professors affiliated with Ukrainian academic and/or research-performing institutions. Proof of affiliation of the beneficiary with a Ukrainian institution must be provided as part of the application.

Who selects?

The selection process is carried our by an independent selection committee composed of senior officials from the following international, pan-European science institutions, representing universities, funding organisations, and individual researchers: European Research Council (ERC), European University Association (EUA), Global Young Academy (GYA), and Science Europe. The committee’s work is coordinated by ALLEA’s President.

Criteria and selection procedures

  1. Hosting institutions need to integrate the beneficiaries into existing or new research projects and departments, and commit to supporting them by providing the required infrastructure for Ukrainian scientists to continue their research work in a safe environment.
  2. The programme offers a monthly stipend for up to 12 months. As a rule, the maximum amount per hosting arrangement should not exceed €25,000 per beneficiary, and is determined in accordance with the beneficiary’s academic position and the regulations of the hosting institutions.
  3. The selection process is conducted by the independent EFDS selection committee on the basis of the application and taking into account further relevant criteria and considerations as appropriate and unanimously agreed upon by the committee members.
  4. Disbursement procedures, reporting and other requirements are formalised and acknowledged in a cooperation agreement between ALLEA, the beneficiaries, and the host institution.

How to apply

**The call for applications is now closed**

The period for applications was closed on 1 July 2022.

Applications must be submitted by the host institution and co-signed by the beneficiary. To submit an application, download the application form and send it by email to efds@allea.org with the subject line “EFDS Application, Funding Line 1.” Please fill out and submit the application digitally, not in print format.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In order to benefit from the EFDS, you must first contact an academic institution based in a Council of Europe country that would have the capacity to host you under a new or existing research position. We compiled a list of potential programmes and institutions here. Additionally, you must already be a post-doc or higher, and you must submit proof of affiliation with a Ukrainian academic institution immediately prior to the beginning of the war.
  • To be able to benefit from the EFDS, you must be an academic institution (including universities, academies, and other research-performing organisations) based in a Council of Europe member state. As a host institution, you must be able to support the beneficiary(ies) for the duration of the grant. Moreover, there may be no pending investigations of the host institution regarding the fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism of research data, nor may investigations have found the institution guilty of breaching the guidelines of good scientific conduct in the past. We will adhere to The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity to ensure good scientific practice in the research carried out during the hosting arrangement.
  • Scientists from all nationalities are eligible to benefit from the EFDS programme provided that they can submit proof of affiliation to a Ukrainian academic institution immediately prior to the beginning of the war.
  • The deadline for applications is is 1 July 2022. All applications will be reviewed by the EFDS independent selection committee which has been specifically set up for this purpose. Upon approval of the application, the host institution will be informed without delay.
  • The complete application must be sent by the host institution.
  • Institutions must submit applications according to the principle “one beneficiary, one application.” There is no limit to the number of beneficiaries that a host insitution can apply funding for.
  • All applications and supporting documents must be submitted in English. In case a supporting document is not available in English, please attach a brief description of the document in English.
  • No, it is not possible to resubmit an application for the same beneficiary – even in a revised form – if they have previously been rejected or if there was not sufficient funding available.
  • The budget plan should include detailed information and figures about how the funds provided by the EFDS programme will be allocated by the host institution for the beneficiary.
  • Funding Line 1 of the EFDS is exclusively for institutions outside of Ukraine that can host scholars who have fled the country as a consequence of the war. Ukrainian institutions can apply for Funding Line 2 of the EFDS, which is meant to support such institutions in maintaining and/or rebuilding their academic operations.
  • The application form has been designed to be completed and submitted digitally to simplify the process, which means the form can also be signed digitally (i.e. without the need to print and scan the form). Adding a digital signature on the PDF form can be done by clicking on the signature box and selecting the option ‘Create a new Digital ID‘ and then click on ‘Save to File‘ and provide your personal information. At the last stage, you will be asked to assign a password to protect your Digital ID. Once these steps have been finished, you will be able to add your digital signature on the form.

    If you still prefer to print and scan the form, please be sure that all the information from the previous questions are clear and fully visible in the printed form before you submit it. Some information might be lost in the printed form as the PDF automatically generates a scrolling bar on some answer boxes if the answer is longer than the space provided, which will not be visible in the printed form.

ALLEA Contact

Nataliia Yeremenko
EFDS Programme Coordinator
efds@allea.org
+49 030 206 066-513