Afghan crisis ‘could spur creation of EU academic refuge scheme’

Leaders of national programmes launched after Syrian crisis optimistic about support for an EU equivalent

The unfolding crisis in Afghanistan could provide the political impetus needed to launch a dedicated EU programme to help threatened academics, according to leaders from two national schemes.

On 22 August, the non-governmental organisation Scholars at Risk appealed to the EU’s institutions and European governments to offer help to Afghan academics and students, including by creating a dedicated EU fellowship scheme for researchers at risk. Various European academic groups have been calling for such a scheme for years.