NWO introduced the ‘Hestia – Impulse for Refugees in Science’ pilot call to give academics, who had to flee their homeland due to war or another threatening situation, the chance to join ongoing Dutch research projects so they can expand their network and increase their knowledge and skills. It is also an opportunity for them to actively share knowledge and expertise, to get to know the Dutch science system, with the ultimate aim of enabling them to continue their careers/lines of research in their homeland. These academics will also enrich Dutch science and society with their expertise. Project leaders and main applicants of a research project already funded by NWO or ZonMw can use this programme to apply for funding to enable a refugee to join their project. The refugees must have an academic background (a master or PhD degree) and be appointed for a maximum of 18 months on a full-time or no more than 24 months on a part-time basis. Only people who fit the situations described in Annex 7.2 of the call for proposals can be eligible as candidates.

As part of the HessenFonds, the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts provides scholarships for exceptionally talented and high achieving university students and researchers with refugee status at state universities in Hessen. The funding shall enable them to continue their studies or their scientific career at a state university in Hessen. As of 2022, HessenFonds funding is also available to highly qualified researchers (including PhD students) who are threatened by persecution in their home countries (researchers at risk).

Requirements are: applicants are entitled to asylum or recognized refugee for no longer than four years by the start of funding; the maximum duration of constant residence in Germany must not be longer than five years by the start of funding; follow-up applications need a separate explanatory statement.

Public museums and collections (not individual scholars/restorers) can apply to cover staff costs for the employment of refugee scholars and restorers from Ukraine, or for Russian scholars and restorers who had to leave Russia due to their opposition to the Ukraine war.

Employment of such funded refugees by and in these institutions would need to be in the context of art historical exhibitions, restoration projects, research projects, catalogue raisonné projects, or communication measures.

The Dutch Foundation for Literature is coordinating this support programme on behalf of the six national cultural foundations. Those eligible are artists with a Ukrainian or Russian passport who were living in Ukraine or Russia on 24 February 2022 and are now living in the Netherlands. The programme’s resources are not meant to provide long term support for the working practice of these refugee artists. The grant is intended for artists and creatives in all disciplines: film, performing arts, literature, visual arts and other creative industries. Furthermore, the artists should have at least three years of professional work experience in their discipline. The maximum grant per artist is € 9,000. The grant must be for the benefit of the artist.