• Access to education and employment as well as the access and extent of support services varies among countries
• Different perspectives for career development in host countries
• Advanced language and other skill requirements for qualified employment
• Limited freedom of movement
• Lack of documentation and no support from bureaucratic structures in the country they fled from
• European research labour market is highly competitive
• Danger of devaluation of human capital
• Personal networks in their home countries, might be unable to provide material support and in turn might even be dependent on the refugees themselves
• Legal barriers
• Unfamiliarity with the local customs of job search
• Discrimination
• Trauma, which can arise prior, during and after the process of fleeing to a host country

For staff working with refugee researchers it is important to have basic information, strategies and techniques for the handling of immediate counselling situations. However, it is strongly recommended to use psychological support services.

Counselling should focus on:

• basic aspects of involuntary migration
• the stress associated with the loss of networks, status, relationships, and native
• communication
• the insecurity tied to unsettled legal status
• the shapes trauma can take
• how the effects trauma can hide until the life circumstances of the person begin to
• stabilize again

Keep in mind:

• Trauma requires treatment, but there should be no stigma attached to it
• Focus the practical input on the creation of secure counselling situations by focusing on the “researcher”,not on the “refugee”
• Keeping reliable and regular timetables
• Providing simple, useful input (“In this office / At this university / In this country these things work like this: …”); Use simple language
• Do not ask for the reasons for escape unless the refugee researchers address them themselves

Who should you involve?

• Trainers from existing career centres at research and higher education institutions
• Trainers from public employment services
• Trainers from national and local funding agencies for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship etc

Keep in mind: The goal is to foster the personal agency of refugee researchers by enabling them to make informed decisions about their options regarding their professional future in the host country.

For early career development counselling focus on:

• the benefits of already existing early-stage career orientation and related information available to refugee researchers
• career development outside of research, with alternative paths in the private sector, in the public or NGO sector, in international organisations or in entrepreneurship.

What input should you provide?

• input on all fields of employment that are open to international researchers, be it inside research, in public and private organisations and companies, in international organisations, and through self-employment
• information on the national research landscape, R&D organisations, possible employers, relevant funding schemes and research policies; the European research area
• insights into National labour markets, public training services and support, with a focus on information and statistics about qualified employment inside and outside of research.
• tools for Self-employment as a career alternative
• support structures and funding schemes for entrepreneurs, open to refugee researchers
• input on existing career counselling services that are provided by national research and higher education institutions.
• input on existing EURAXESS career counselling tools and services.

What information should you provide?

• Information on available courses
• Information on training and internship programmes
• Information on all other types of active skill development
• and training support for refugee researchers
• Information on respective funding sources for research and higher education institutions interested
• in expanding their programmes
• Information on the specific academic and other relevant skill
• development training programmes available for refugee researchers, as well as (external) funding sources open to refugee researchers
• Information on general skill development and training courses provided by non-academic support services
• Information on funding schemes for research and higher education institutions willing to train refugee researchers
• Information on mentoring programmes for refugee researchers, including peer-mentoring

NOTE: Internship programmes should receive special attention: They are extremely valuable tools and not only offer the opportunity to gain work experience, insight into the respective field and contacts, but also add to the confidence and agency of the individual doing the internship. Academic internships will also provide insight into the national scientific landscape and create valuable opportunities for networking.

Note: The goal is to create more impact in raising awareness for the situation of refugee researchers among staff, and up the possibility of the respective research and higher education institutions joining (additional) networks. Therefore this type of information can also be useful for general awareness raising and national lobbying purposes.

• BRiDGE - Bridge for Researchers in Danger Going to Europe, European Directory of Services for Researchers in Danger

  BRiDGE gives an all-in-one solution for the localized guidance of refugee researchers (RRs) in the European Research Area (ERA) and enables the 40 EURAXESS country members in the ERA to identify and utilize the potential of RRs across Europe. It offers information resources, bridging programmes, mentoring programmes, internship programmes, training. Its aim is to support the long-term careers highly skilled refugee researchers and their integration into the labour markets of the European Union member states and its associated countries. The periodic newsletters of the project can be accessed on the project website at Bielefeld University: BRiDGEII Newsletters for Researchers at Risk and BRiDGEII Newsletters for Euraxess Staff.

• EUA Refugees Welcome Map

  A map of the initiatives and activities of higher education institutions and related networks and organisations in supporting refugee students, researchers and academic staff. It provides resources to mentoring programmes, internship programmes and training.

• CARe - Career Advancement for Refugee Researchers in Europe

  The CARe project (Career Advancement for Refugee Researchers in Europe) aims to support the integration of researchers with a refugee background into the European research labour market. It provides needs-based guidance and country-specific information on employment requirements and opportunities for the target group, through Focus groups engaging refugee researchers; country guides/information sheets; and thematic webinars involving experts and employers.

• Guiding Refugees via European Exchange and Training (GREET)

  GREET Aims to contribute to the integration of highly skilled refugees in European higher education through mutual learning and exchange of good practices among national support structures and higher education institutions (HEIs) in 9 European countries (Austria, Belgium/Flanders Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and the UK).

• Scholars at Risk

  Scholars at Risk is an international network of institutions and individuals whose mission it is to protect scholars and promote academic freedom. By arranging temporary academic positions at member universities and colleges, Scholars at Risk offers safety to scholars facing grave threats, so scholars’ ideas are not lost and they can keep working until conditions improve and they are able to return to their home countries. Scholars at Risk also provides advisory services for scholars and hosts, campaigns for scholars who are imprisoned or silenced in their home countries, monitoring of attacks on higher education communities worldwide, and leadership in deploying new tools and strategies for promoting academic freedom and improving respect for university values everywhere.

• InSPIREurope

  InSPIREurope is a Europe-wide initiative to support researchers who are at risk due to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence. Funded under the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the initiative is hosted at Maynooth University in Ireland and coordinated by Scholars at Risk Europe. InSPIREurope also published a report Researchers at Risk: Mapping Europe's Response. This report is based on a mapping conducted to identify the support structures and measures available to researchers at risk in Europe. To this purpose, the experiences of researchers themselves, of their hosts - usually higher education and research institutions - and of support organisations have been taken into consideration, including the challenges they face, as well as the approaches taken by national and Europen level support measures.

• inHERE Higher Education supporting Refugees in Europe

  inHERE strengthens knowledge sharing, peer-support and academic partnership to facilitate integration and access of refugees in European Universities. It tries to map the relevant European initiatives for refugee students and researchers, and projects to provide an overview and analysis of the existing services and their scope and range.

• BRiDGE Projects (BRiDGE I & BRiDGE II)

  BRiDGE gives an all-in-one solution for the localized guidance of refugee researchers (RRs) in the European Research Area (ERA) and enables the 40 EURAXESS country members in the ERA to identify and utilize the potential of RRs across Europe. It offers information resources, bridging programmes, mentoring programmes, internship programmes, training.

• DTU Career Mentoring Program

  The Nydansk Association (Foreningen Nydansker), an educational and vocational membership organization with over 100 private and public companies that supports the integration of immigrants in the labor market, regularly collaborates with companies on mentoring programs for highly educated refugees.

• EUA map (Belgium / international)

  EUA provides a map the initiatives and activities of higher education institutions and related networks and organisations in supporting refugee students, researchers and academic staff. It provides resources to mentoring programmes, internship programmes and training.

• ​​Refugees in Science

  Provides funding for selected institutions in the Netherlands for the employment of refugees with an academic background for a project for a duration of up to one year in order to contribute to making Dutch science and the academic labour market accessible to refugee scientists with demonstrable refugee status.

• “Universitetsvän” (university friend) Mentoring programme at the University of Gothenburg

  Offers mentoring programmes, internship programmes, training

• MOOCs4inclusion

  ​​MOOCs4inclusion is a study, commissioned by the European Commission, the Directorate General Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), which aims at assessing the adequacy (mapping and analyzing) of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Free Digital Learning (FDL) for inclusion of migrants and refugees.

• EURAXESS Career development resources for organizations

  This EURAXESS platform offers important information for career development for organizations.

• Inclusive Internationalisation

  The programme provides them with guidance into the Swedish academic system and necessary tools for a future career within or outside academia. It includes seminars and workshops, as well as individual coaching and professional networking opportunities

Here you will find the BRiDGE II Video handbooks.

See also the online tools for supporting mentors of refugee researchers

• for academic coaches

  Online Basic Tool | Online Advanced Tool

  for industrial coaches

• Online Basic Tool | Online Advanced Tool

• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

  The Philipp Schwartz Initiative at the Alexander Humboldt Foundation (Germany) provides universities and research institutions in Germany with the means to host threatened foreign researchers for a period of 24 months on a fully funded research fellowship. An extension is possible under a co-financing model.

• BRiDGE Projects (BRiDGE I & BRiDGE II)

  BRiDGE gives an all-in-one solution for the localized guidance of refugee researchers (RRs) in the European Research Area (ERA) and enables the 40 EURAXESS country members in the ERA to identify and utilize the potential of RRs across Europe. It offers information resources, bridging programmes, mentoring programmes, internship programmes and training.

• Cara – Council for At-Risk Academics

  The Council for At-Risk Academics is a charitable British organisation. It provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and to many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks. Cara also supports higher education institutions whose work is at risk or compromised. It also offers information resources and support for recognition.

• EURAXESS National Portal Turkey (Turkey)

• German Academic Exchange Service DAAD

  The DAAD has developed a set of targeted measures to enable universities to offer those who wish to study and possess sufficient academic qualification access to higher education.

• Information for refugees, University of Copenhagen

  Information for refugees about study programmes and job opportunities at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

• Mapping Funds for at-Risk Scholars

  Mapping Funds is a collaborative digital mapping effort to analyse diversified support networks and funds attributed to At-Risk Scholars in Turkey. It aims to sustain continuity of scientific production of at-Risk Scholars, expand the dialogue among scholar commons and open space for actors that construct the edges around the nodes.

• Pause programme

  The Pause programme offers funds and help to academic and research institutions wishing to welcome researchers who are in a situation of life-threatening emergency. Funds are important part of the researcher's salary. The programme also provides information and administrative help.

• Refugee Support Initiative "Welcome", Zagreb

  The initiative provides support to refugees - from humanitarian aid, coordination with local organizations, as well as information to refugees about current entry to exit procedures from Croatia. They also co-ordinate with the Croatian Red Cross, the Asylum Coordination and the institutions. Additionally, the web site - welcome.cms.hr - is being published for public communication as well, where news stories are updated and published.

• Science4Refugees in Aegean Archipelago (SCIREA)

  The objective of this project is through a series of seminars, webinars and short research stays to help refugees scientists to re-integrate in the research era of Europe, to get familiar with the European academic and research system and to improve their skills and entrepreneurship. The project has published an SCIREA E-Book. The E-Book is available in English, Farsi and Arabic and offers the chapters "Information on CV preparation", "How to study in Europe" and "How to find a job in Europe". Additionally the project has published three webinars on "How to create a CV", "The european asylum system and the Italian experience" and "How to find job in Europe".

• Student Refugees

  Student Refugees believes that education should be accessible to all in Denmark, regardless of background. It offers two programmes: Application Café (personal guidance and provision of information) and the Buddy programme (activities and workshops for the buddy teams throughout the semester)

• Science in Exile

  UNESCO-TWAS is leading the Science in Exile initiative, in collaboration with the International Science Council (ISC) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP). It aims to create a network of like-minded organizations that will work together to develop a global platform and roll out a coordinated advocacy campaign, in order to foster a cohesive response for the support and integration of refugee, displaced and at-risk scientists. Just recently the World Academy of Sciences (UNESCO-TWAS) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) launch the 2021 Young Refugee and Displaced Scientists Programme for Women.

• Migration Matters

  Migration Matters produces short, educational videos on topics related to migration, diversity, and belonging. All are available free to the public.

• Cara – Council for At-Risk Academics

  The Council for At-Risk Academics is a charitable British organisation, it provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and to many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks. Cara also supports higher education institutions whose work is at risk or compromised. It also offers information resources and support for recognition.

• CEU Open Learning Initiative, Budapest

  The Open Learning Initiative (OLIve) at Central European University focuses on opening access to higher education for refugees and asylum seekers.

• Council of Higher Education (Turkey)

  Offers support for recognition

• Guide to diploma recognition, Denmark

  The Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education provides assessments of foreign qualifications.

• Scholars at Risk Network – SAR (USA / international)

  Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network of more than 500 universities, colleges, research centres and associations in 39 countries collectively working to protect threatened scholars and to promote academic freedom and related higher education values.

• Recognition/Swiss ENIC

  Swissuniversities provides recommendations of recognition for foreign higher education qualifications as well as a diploma background report for refugees with insufficient documentation.

• Caritas Integration Support (Bulgaria)

  Caritas Sofia Center for Integration of Refugees and Migrants “St. Anna” provides social counselling, psychological support, Bulgarian language courses, address registration, personal physician registration, home and employment assistance, art activities, a mentoring programmes and other activities supporting the integration process in the Bulgarian society.

• CBSI Sprongcenter - City of Copenhagen Language School

  The job center offers advanced Danish language education for foreigners who receive unemployment benefits, cash benefits or integration benefits.

• ​​​​DAAD NRWege, Germany

  The funding programme enables NRW universities to offer study guidance for refugees and German language courses in preparation for as well as during studies. Language Courses in Universities up to C1 (Admission threshold).

• SU-The Danish Students' Grants and Loans Scheme

  Language courses for refugees are 100% sponsored by the municipalities in Denmark.

• Greek Language Courses at the University of the Aegean

  The link provides information with regard to the attendance of courses offered by the University of the Aegean on learning the Modern Greek language, as well as to the organization of classes for both absolute beginners and more advanced speakers.

• BRiDGE Projects (BRiDGE I & BRiDGE II)

  BRiDGE gives an all-in-one solution for the localized guidance of refugee researchers (RRs) in the European Research Area (ERA) and enables the 40 EURAXESS country members in the ERA to identify and utilize the potential of RRs across Europe. It offers information resources, bridging programmes, mentoring programmes, internship programmes, training.

• CEU Open Learning Initiative

  The Open Learning Initiative (OLIve) at Central European University focuses on opening access to higher education for refugees and asylum seekers.

• “Foreningen Nydansker” Mentoring Program

  The Nydansk Association (Foreningen Nydansker), an educational and vocational membership organization in Denmark with over 100 private and public companies supports the integration of immigrants in the labor market and regularly collaborates with companies on mentoring programs for highly educated refugees. A hands-on guide on mentoring highy skilled refugees can be downloaded here.

• Horizon académique (Switzerland)

  An academic and social integration programme, first offered to people in the asylum field (N, F, B-refugee or C refugee permit) who have had to interrupt a degree course, university studies in their country and / or who have already completed one or more courses.

• REST project – Refugee Employment Support and Training

  The REST project focuses on employment and integration of refugees in the labour market and provides workshops and matchmaking events with employers in order to create and apply a comprehensive training and support system for enterprises and organisations that want to employ and integrate refugees at their workplaces.

• Zukunftskollege Bride Fellowships

  ​​​​Bridge Fellowships aims to support new research initiatives at the university which are in the process of formation (e.g. collaborative research centres, research groups); to enhance and advance areas of research at the university which are already strong by supporting postdoctoral researchers with distinctive and complementary expertise who can fill niches in ongoing projects; to support threatened foreign researchers by giving them the opportunity to be integrated into the German academic system

• NWO: Hestia - Impulse for Refugees in Science
  
  A project leader and/or main applicant of a research project already funded by NWO or ZonMw can apply for funding for the appointment of a refugee with an academic background on his/her project for the duration of 18 months (or 24 months parttime). The refugee should have an asylum residence permit as described in chapter 6 of the call for proposals.

• DFG – German Research Foundation (Germany)

  The DFG is the self-governing organisation for science and research in Germany. It serves all branches of science and the humanities. DFG offers options for scientists and academics who have fled their home countries. So far this has allowed mainly young refugees in the doctoral phase to get support by being integrated in established projects.

• Foundation for Refugee Students UAF provides grants and loans

  UAF supports refugees with grants and loans, so that they can attend a course of higher education. These funds are intended only for tuition fees, language courses, books, a computer, travelling expenses and other costs related to their studies.

• Institute of International Education IIE – Scholar Rescue Fund

  Offers dedicated scholarship programmes for refugees.

• Philipp Schwartz Initiative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

  The Philipp Schwartz Initiative provides universities and research institutions in Germany with the means to host threatened foreign researchers for a period of 24 months on a fully funded research fellowship. An extension is possible under a co-financing model.​​​​​

• Science4Refugees

  "The Science4Refugees" initiative and EURAXESS portal provide research refugee friendly internships, part-time and full-time jobs, access to an European Research Community, as well as a complete range of information and support services on working and living in Europe."​​​​

• SU – The Danish students' Grants and Loans Scheme

  Language courses for refugees are 100% sponsored by the municipalities in Denmark.

• TUBITAK National Funding Mechanisms

  Offers national funding mechanisms for foreigners and those programmes have specific panels for refugees.

  • Research Fellowship Programm for International Researchers​​​​

  • Fellowships for Visiting Scientists and Scientists on Sabbatical Leave

  • Funded-Brain-Circulation Scheme

• Volkswagen Group Funding for Refugee Scholars and Scientists

  Offers a fellowship Programme for guest researchers, additional modules within the context of currently funded research projects; employment and continuing academic knowledge production.

• 2021 Young Refugee and Displaced Scientists Programme for Women 

  A programm launched by the World Academy of Sciences (UNESCO-TWAS) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).