University of Siegen Takes in Threatened Scientist

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative awards a scholarship to a Turkish scientist, who can now continue her work at the University of Siegen.

Not everywhere in the world can it be taken for granted, that scientists are able to perform their work unhindered. Many are threatened by war and persecution in their home countries. With the help of the scholarships of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, researchers who find themselves in this position can be admitted to universities in Germany. In the third round of grants of the scholarships, the University of Siegen was again selected and takes in a Turkish scientist for two years. Further personal data are not disclosed, in order to not compromise the researcher.

A total of 41 institutions from all over Germany have been selected and funding for a total of 56 scientists is awarded. The scholarship holders are then selected according to how well they can be integrated into the respective university and how positive the prospects for a new professional beginning are. The majority of scientists are from Turkey (40 scholarship holders). The other countries of origin are Syria (9), Iraq (3), Venezuela (2), Yemen and Ukraine (1 each). From August 2017 onwards, the scientists will conduct research for two years as Philipp Schwartz scholarship holders at the select facilities.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said: "The freedom of science and research is indispensable for an open, modern society. This is why the Philipp Schwartz Initiative is a clear signal that we do not leave affected researchers alone, but offer sheltered spaces and perspectives when in many places authoritarian aspirations seem be on the rise."

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative was founded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with the support of the Federal Foreign Office. It is financially supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, Alfred Krupp von Bohlen and Halbach Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (United States), Fritz Thyssen Foundation, Gerda Henkel Foundation, Klaus Tschira Foundation, Robert Bosch Foundation, the Founders' Association and the Foundation Mercator.