To give scientists who lost everything in their country due to the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine a new home and a new homeland – so explain the founders of the “academy in exile” Cologne / Bonn Academy in Exile (CBA) motivation. The universities of Cologne and Bonn, which are among the largest universities in Germany, decided to support mainly Ukrainian researchers and give them the opportunity to continue their scientific activities in Germany. The offer of assistance is also addressed to Russians and Belarusians who have lost their jobs or are being persecuted for condemning military actions in Ukraine, as well as if they support a civil movement in their country or participate in opposition protests, for example, after the elections. 2020 in Belarus.

The new academy invites professors, postdocs, science candidates and, in some cases, graduate students. As Angelika Nußberger, a professor from Cologne and one of the organizers of the new project, explains in an interview with DW, both universities plan to allocate ten jobs for them on the university premises. “It’s about giving scientists a clear structure again, an office, a place where they will work with other people,” she clarifies. In addition to logistics, scientists are promised support in resolving administrative issues. Scholarships are not available for this program. But the academy’s founders promise to help apply for individual funding for various support funds.

Focus on European perspective and connections in the scientific community

The new project is aimed primarily at representatives of the legal and historical sciences, political science, as well as cultural or linguistic studies. Decisive for admission to the academy is the thematic direction of the scientist’s work. European values, European history, comparison of political and legal systems, comparative linguistics – the research project must be related to Europe. This decision is in part related to the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine.

In addition to working on projects, workshops and seminars will be organized for the academy participants to promote scientific exchange. To establish contacts with scientists outside the academy, the organization of a summer school is planned. Therefore, knowledge of English is important – knowledge of German is desirable, but not necessary. The possibility of organizing online teaching, for example for students in Ukraine, is also being considered.

Deadlines for accepting applications and academic work

Applications will be accepted until the end of July. And there are many people who want to work in Cologne or Bonn – around five dozen applications that meet the criteria have already been received. Basically, Ukrainian scientists apply for the founders of the academy. And if in the case of the Ukrainians the reasons for the forced move to Germany are obvious, the scientists from Russia and Belarus will have to pass a test and prove that they were victims of persecution for political reasons. In this, the founders of the academy draw on the expertise of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD and the organizers of the international program for refugee scientists Scholars at Risk.

The organizers have not yet announced the exact dates for the start of the “academy in exile”. First, it is necessary to recruit a sufficient number of suitable candidates and find funding for them. This can take up to six months. Scientists are expected to spend two or three years in Cologne or Bonn, but much depends on the development of the political situation. In general, says Angelika Nusberger, the academy is conceived as a long-term project. For more information about this support initiative and how you can participate, contact [email protected] or [email protected].