The European SAFE project

The SAFE project aims to establish a mechanism to select around 60 at-risk researchers from all over the world (outside the EU) through a call for applications with those selected receiving a fellowship of one to two years for a research stay at doctoral or post-doctoral level in a host institution located in the European Union. Researchers will also benefit from dedicated training and events to help them plan the next steps in their careers.

Funded by the European Union, the SAFE project is a 3-year pilot project (2024-2027). Its total budget is €12 million.

The implementation of the project was entrusted to a European consortium comprising DAAD (Germany, coordinator), Campus France, PAUSE/Collège de France and the UNIMED network (Italy). 

 The project has several associated partners: Alexander-von-Humboldt-Foundation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, DZS, EDUFI, European University Association, NAWA, Nuffic, and Sofia University. These will be used to support SAFE events and communications activities.

• Preparation and organisation of a call for applications to select around 60 at-risk researchers from all over the world (outside the EU);
• Matching researchers with potential host institutions;
• Fellowship management; 
• Support for researchers;
• Organisation of training and networking activities for researchers and host institutions; 
• Capitalization on the project experience through preparation of recommendations with a view to establishing a dedicated scheme.

Campus France is in particular responsible for communications and fellowship management, as well as training and networking activities for the programme's beneficiaries.

• Applications from researchers will be submitted directly by potential host institutions. Only one application may be submitted per organisation.
• The selection procedure will take into account the quality of the researcher’s project, assessment of the risk faced by the researcher, and the quality of the host institution's hosting plan.
• Female candidates will be encouraged to apply in order to ensure a balanced representation of both sexes.

The call for applications will be launched in the week of 18 November 2024. From mid-October 2024, a matchmaking phase will be put in place, during which researchers will be put in contact with potential host institutions.
All the information relating to the call for applications will be available on the SAFE project website from mid-October.
 

More information on the SAFE project website