EU research funding should do more to support scholars at risk, advocates say

Greater flexibility and longer-term commitments are needed in EU research funding to better support scholars at risk, according to organisations advocating for researchers who are threatened in their home countries or fleeing persecution. This could include adapting application procedures for EU funding or extending schemes designed for specific nations like Ukraine to other areas of concern, such as Afghanistan.

For Frank Geary, director of the European office of international network Scholars at Risk, the first step is “clearer communication” for scientists in at-risk situations, making them aware of the opportunities available for taking part in European and national research programmes. The European Commission has done so for some conflict zones, such as Palestine