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Netherlands · Fellowship · Fully Funded

NIAS-KNAWNetherlands Institute for Advanced Study

NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship 2027-28 in Netherlands (Fully Funded)

Five months in Amsterdam — €3,500 a month, a desk, and a safe place to keep working — for researchers, journalists, writers and artists whose work is under threat.

Deadline 14 Dec 2026 · 50 days left Open Updated 22 Oct 2026 By NIAS-KNAW
Award
€3,500 per month for 5 months. Subsidised accommodation in Amsterdam or commuting expenses; a private office, research facilities and library access; communal lunches and the NIAS fellows community; outward and return travel reimbursed.
Eligible
Scholars, journalists, writers and artists unable to work safely in their current location due to conflict, war, or severe restrictions on academic or creative freedom. Scholarly track: PhD plus at least 3 years of postdoctoral research. Journalistic/literary/artistic track: bachelor’s degree plus at least 7 years of professional experience. The project must fall within the humanities or social sciences; full English proficiency is required; no affiliation with institutions boycotted by the Dutch state.
How
Online application form ONLY — applications sent by email are not considered. Prepare a research proposal, CV, motivation statement and risk statement, all in English and in line with the regulations. After submitting, confirm your registration within 48 hours of the automated email, or the application expires. NIAS runs two selection rounds a year (June and December deadlines); eligible applications go to two external referees, then the Fellowship Advisory Committee.
Deadline
14 December 2026, 12:00h — first semester 2027–28 call; applications have been open since 21 July 2026 (53 days from 22 Oct 2026).
Fine print
This is a temporary refuge, not a degree programme. About ten scholarly and ten literary/journalistic/artistic fellowships are awarded per round. Incomplete applications are ineligible and cannot be changed once submitted — and the programme makes no exceptions to the requirements.

About the fellowship

The NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship, run by the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS-KNAW) in Amsterdam, exists for one purpose: to give scholars, journalists, writers and artists at risk a safe place to continue their work. If conflict, war, or state or non-state obstruction makes it impossible to work where you are, this fellowship offers five months of protected time in one of Europe’s leading institutes for advanced study.

The current call covers the first semester of the 2027–2028 academic year. Applications opened 21 July 2026 and close 14 December 2026 at 12:00h — 53 days from today (22 October 2026).

Eligibility

  • Be a scholar, journalist, writer or artist unable to carry out your work safely in your current location or circumstances — due to conflict, war, or severe infringements on academic/creative freedom.
  • Scholarly track: hold a PhD and have at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application.
  • Journalistic, literary or artistic track: hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in your field.
  • Propose a project within the humanities or social sciences.
  • Have full proficiency in English — it is the working language at NIAS.
  • Not be affiliated with institutions boycotted by the Dutch state.

Benefits

  • A stipend of €3,500 per month for five months.
  • Subsidised accommodation in Amsterdam or commuting travel expenses.
  • A private office, research facilities and library access, plus communal lunches and full participation in the NIAS fellows community.
  • Reimbursement of outward and return travel.
  • Partnership backing from the University of Amsterdam, Maastricht University and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).

Documents required

  • A research proposal describing the project you will pursue during the fellowship.
  • A curriculum vitae evidencing your experience (publications for scholarly applicants; professional record for creative tracks).
  • A motivation statement.
  • A risk statement explaining why you cannot work safely in your current circumstances.
  • All documents in English and in line with the official regulations — read them first, because incomplete applications are ineligible.

How to apply

  1. Read the regulationsOn the official NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship page, read the formal requirements carefully — the programme makes no exceptions.
  2. Prepare the four documentsWrite your research proposal, CV, motivation statement and risk statement in English, following the regulations exactly.
  3. Complete the online formSubmit through the official online application form only. Applications sent by email are not considered.
  4. Confirm within 48 hoursAfter submitting, confirm your registration within 48 hours of receiving the automated email — otherwise the application expires.
  5. SelectionEligible applications are sent to two external referees; the ten highest-scoring scholarly and ten highest-scoring literary/journalistic/artistic applications go to the Fellowship Advisory Committee, which advises the NIAS Director’s final decision. Apply by 14 December 2026, 12:00h.

FAQs

Who is the Safe Haven Fellowship for?

Established scholars, journalists, writers and artists who cannot carry out their work safely where they are — because of conflict, war, or obstruction by state or non-state actors. It is a temporary academic refuge, not a degree programme.

Do I need a PhD to apply?

Only for the scholarly track (PhD + 3 years postdoctoral experience). Journalistic, literary and artistic applicants need a bachelor’s degree plus at least 7 years of professional experience instead.

What fields are covered?

The humanities and the social sciences. Your proposed project must fall within those areas.

Can I apply by email?

No. Applications are accepted only through the official online application form; email applications are not considered.

How long is the fellowship, and when does it run?

Five months. This call is for the first semester of the 2027–2028 academic year (the September–January semester pattern).

How many fellowships are awarded?

About ten scholarly and ten literary/journalistic/artistic fellowships per selection round; NIAS runs two rounds a year with June and December deadlines.

Verified 22 Oct 2026: official nias.knaw.nl application page — “The call is currently accepting applications for Safe Haven Fellowships in the first semester of the 2027–2028 academic year. Applications for this period can be submitted from 21 July 2026 until 14 December 2026 at 12:00h.” Official NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship page: online-only application; research proposal + CV + motivation statement + risk statement in English; 48-hour registration confirmation; two selection rounds a year; ten scholarly + ten literary/journalistic/artistic fellowships per round via external referees and the Fellowship Advisory Committee. Package (€3,500/month, subsidised Amsterdam accommodation or commuting, office and facilities, travel reimbursement) and eligibility (PhD + 3 yrs postdoc for scholarly; bachelor’s + 7 yrs experience for creative tracks; humanities/social sciences; full English) corroborated by i79media.com (2027–28 session, deadline 14 Dec 2026) and agreeing trackers (scholarshipbob.com x2, ilmkidunya.com, scholarshipunion.com, burseline.com).

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