Memory Scholars at Risk Fellowship 2026 Expands Support for Scholars in Precarious Situations Worldwide
The Memory Scholars at Risk Fellowship has announced a renewed collaboration aimed at strengthening academic protection and mobility for researchers facing insecurity or instability worldwide.
The initiative is led by the Memory Studies Association in partnership with the Gerda Henkel Stiftung, with additional collaboration through Off-University.
For 2026, the program will receive a €32,000 funding contribution, reinforcing its mission to provide safe and supportive academic environments for scholars at risk.
A Fellowship Focused on Academic Safety and Continuity
The Memory Scholars at Risk Fellowship is designed to support researchers whose academic work is threatened by political instability, conflict, persecution, or displacement. Since its establishment in 2022, the initiative has helped several scholars continue their research in safer institutional settings.
The fellowship prioritizes:
- Protection of at-risk scholars in vulnerable contexts
- Continuity of academic research and teaching
- Integration into host academic environments
- International academic solidarity and cooperation
By offering structured support, the program ensures that valuable research in memory studies and related fields is not lost due to crisis or forced migration.
Strengthening Global Academic Collaboration
Through its partnership with the Memory Studies Association and the Gerda Henkel Stiftung, the fellowship has expanded its global reach, enabling universities and research institutions to host scholars in need of refuge.
The program also collaborates with Off-University, which provides flexible and remote academic infrastructure for displaced researchers, helping them remain active in teaching and scholarship regardless of location.
Travel Grants for Academic Participation
In addition to residency support, the initiative includes Scholars at Risk Travel Grants, which enable affected researchers to participate in the annual conference of the Memory Studies Association.
These grants help scholars:
- Present research at international academic conferences
- Reconnect with global research communities
- Maintain professional visibility during displacement
- Build academic networks for future opportunities
This component ensures continued engagement with the global research community even during periods of instability.
Call for Institutional Participation
The Memory Studies Association is actively encouraging universities, research centers, and academic organizations worldwide to participate in the fellowship program.
Institutions are invited to contribute by:
- Offering funded or in-kind hosting arrangements
- Providing academic refuge and supervision
- Supporting integration into local research environments
- Collaborating on long-term research partnerships
This call reflects a broader commitment to shared responsibility in protecting academic freedom and supporting vulnerable scholars.
A Broader Commitment to Academic Solidarity
The Memory Scholars at Risk Fellowship represents part of a growing global movement to safeguard academic freedom and intellectual continuity in times of crisis. By combining financial support, institutional partnerships, and flexible academic access, the initiative helps ensure that scholars can continue contributing to knowledge production despite challenging circumstances.
The collaboration between the Memory Studies Association and the Gerda Henkel Stiftung highlights the importance of sustained investment in academic protection programs, particularly in fields related to history, memory, and human rights.
Call for Action
With renewed funding and expanded institutional cooperation, the Memory Scholars at Risk Fellowship continues to strengthen its role as a critical support system for displaced and vulnerable researchers.
Through partnerships with organizations such as the Memory Studies Association, the Gerda Henkel Stiftung, and Off-University, the program reinforces a global commitment to protecting academic freedom and ensuring that scholarship can persist even in the most difficult circumstances.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
