Are you a researcher, writer, journalist or artist who is unable to continue your work safely because of conflict or war? The NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship in the Netherlands provides temporary relocation and a supportive research environment so selected fellows can continue their work in safety.
Quick Eligibility
- Opportunity Type: Funded Safe-Haven Research Fellowship
- Education Level: PhD / Bachelor’s + Professional Experience, depending on the applicant category
- Eligible Applicants: Researchers, writers, journalists and artists at risk because of conflict or war
- Scholarly Researchers: Must hold a PhD + at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience
- Literary / Journalistic / Artistic Researchers: Must have a Bachelor’s degree + at least 7 years of professional experience
- English Requirement: Full academic-level English proficiency (C1 equivalent)
- Nationality: Worldwide
- Age Limit: Not specified
- Risk Requirement: Required
- Application Fee: $0
- Duration: 5 months
- Location: NIAS, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Funding: €3,500/month stipend may be available + subsidised accommodation or commuting support + travel reimbursement
- Deadline: 14 December 2026 at 12:00 CET
- Application Method: Online NIAS application form
Who Can Apply?
Scholarly Researchers
You need:
- A completed PhD
- At least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience
- A demonstrable academic research/publication record
- A research project you can pursue during the fellowship
Writers, Journalists & Artists
You don’t necessarily need a PhD.
Instead, NIAS requires:
- A Bachelor’s degree from a university or university of applied sciences
- At least 7 years of professional experience in your field
- A demonstrable professional track record
The Risk Requirement Is Critical
This isn’t simply a fellowship for researchers from developing countries or conflict-affected countries.
Applicants must be unable to continue their work in their current location or circumstances because of conflict or war, or face severe restrictions on their academic freedom resulting from conflict or war. A risk statement is part of the application.
What Does NIAS Provide?
Selected fellows receive:
- €3,500/month stipend for fellows who qualify for financial support
- Subsidised accommodation in Amsterdam, or commuting-cost support depending on circumstances
- Reimbursement of outward and return travel
- Office and research facilities
- Library services
- Participation in the NIAS research community
- Academic and professional activities
The stipend is not automatically an additional €3,500 for every fellow; NIAS states that fellows who need financial support can apply for it under the programme’s conditions.
Current Deadline
The current call for the first semester of the 2027–28 academic year is open:
21 July 2026 → 14 December 2026 at 12:00 CET
The fellowship itself lasts 5 months.
Important
NIAS explicitly says this programme is not an emergency evacuation or refugee service, does not provide asylum assistance, and does not offer PhD study opportunities. It is a temporary fellowship for established researchers and cultural workers who meet the programme requirements.
💡 Looking for opportunities most people don’t know about?
Subscribe to Potenue — we post hidden gems every day and send the details straight to your DMs.