Scholars for Scholars: a fund for at-risk academics
Science thrives on freedom, safety, and stability. But what if these prerequisites are lacking? What if colleagues beyond our borders are threatened, persecuted or forced to flee?
For Nadia Sonneveld, the driving force behind Scholars for Scholars Leiden, these are not merely theoretical questions, but a call for action.
What began as an initiative within the Effective Protection of Fundamental Rights (EPFR) research programme has developed to become an ambitious project: a structural programme to host at-risk academics – researchers whose lives and work are threatened by war, persecution, or oppression.
From idea to action
‘It started in March 2024,’ explains Nadia. ‘Within EPFR, we said “surely there’s something we can do”. With Ukraine and Gaza in the news, we felt uncomfortable just talking about fundamental rights and not actually taking action ourselves.' The next step was setting up a small team of five to ten people who met around every six weeks. Their goal was to establish infrastructure to host at-risk academics – not just a one-off response, but a structural responsibility embedded within the university.
More than just fundraising
The project isn’t just about fundraising. ‘You’ve got to think about housing, any accompanying family members, and the mental well-being of the researchers,’ explains Nadia. 'Many of them are traumatised. And then there’s the admin side: how do you establish a fund? How do you set up an allocation committee and a decision protocol? Who do you approach for donations?' Each step requires consultations with finance departments, HR, the Service Centre International Staff, and potential donors, including Christmas markets, the Dutch Research Council, and the local council.
A global network
Scholars at Risk is an international network that protects scholars and promotes academic freedom. The network headquarters are in New York, where applications for assistance are given a thorough assessment to confirm a scholar truly needs help. Here in the Netherlands, as of last year the coordination and funding is arranged by the UAF Foundation for Refugee Students. Nadia has now joined the steering group which is responsible for ensuring the national infrastructure meets the required standard.
A future-proof fund
In January 2026, Scholars for Scholars Leiden became an official fund under the Leiden University Fund (LUF). This arrangement offers more administrative support and greater brand awareness, which can improve financial stability.
The first successes are already visible: the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is going to provide structural funding for three years (confirmed before the new arrangement with LUF), and Leiden professors now ask for a donation instead of a gift at their inaugural lecture.
Time for faculties to act
The biggest challenge remains structural funding. 'If each faculty were to make €15,000 available each year, we’d have almost enough to cover a full-time research appointment for one year, costing around €86,000 in total,' says Nadia. 'It's not a huge amount for each faculty, but it does need to be earmarked.' Leiden municipality has shown an interest but says the university has to take the first step.
Shared responsibility
‘Science is not something to be taken for granted,’ Nadia emphasises. ‘Many of our colleagues around the world risk their lives for knowledge. We can’t claim to be top researchers while others are unable to work safely.’ Her words pinpoint the crux: academic freedom is a shared responsibility.
Threatened scholar
Though the project is still being developed, the first applications have already been received. A place may have been found for a threatened researcher whose details can’t be shared yet. 'We’re considering the funding and the next steps to take,' Nadia says. 'Six months or a year is a very short time for a researcher, especially someone who’s been through so much.'
Call for action
Scholars for Scholars Leiden is an example of how a small initiative can have a big impact. It requires patience, building networks, and above all: awareness. 'We plant the seeds,' Nadia says. 'But at some point, it’s time for action. We don’t want to look back and realise we failed to act.'
Anyone who wishes to contribute is welcome, be it through donations, becoming an ambassador, or providing administrative support. As Nadia says: 'Science only truly matters when we safeguard it for everyone.'
Would you like more information, or would like to help? Please visit the Scholars for Scholars page and get in touch with: Nadia Sonneveld
At the Christmas Market in 2025, staff at Leiden Law School raised €1,575 for Scholars at Risk.