Mentoring
This page contains guidelines that provide an overview of funding programs for researchers at risk, explain the academic supervisor’s duties, and illuminate our support services.
What funding programs are available to researchers at risk?
- Philipp Schwartz Initiative: fellowship funding for up to 24 months in the form of a scholarship worth EUR 2,870 per month (if necessary, further subsidies for accompanying family members).
- The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund: fellowships for 9 to 12 months worth USD 25,000 (at least USD 25,000 cofinancing from the host institution)
- Hamburg Programme for Scholars at Risk (HPSAR) – Science Bridge for Ukraine: scholarship for one to 12 months worth EUR 2,000 per month.
- DAAD Hilde Domin Program: at-risk prospective students and doctoral researchers and at-risk current students and doctoral researchers
- further funding options: funding options for researchers at risk—Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Who can be a host?
To become an academic supervisor, researchers must have at least a doctorate; a professorship is not required. Postdoctoral researchers must receive approval for the project from the professor responsible.
Retired professors can also serve as academic supervisors but only in tandem with a researcher still active at Universität Hamburg.
Potential supervisors are queried directly by the researcher or the Department of International Affairs. If contact with the researcher at risk has already been made, University staff can get in touch with the Department of International Affairs directly with regard to the supervising wish or funding intentions.
What is the academic supervisor expected to do?
Before submitting the application
The following criteria must be met when applying to the Philipp Schwartz Initiative or Hamburg Programme for Scholars at Risk:
- Proof of confirmation of the research position and supervisory commitment must be submitted (this includes confirmation that the institutions and materials required for the research project will be made available to the funded researcher after funding is granted).
- A one-to-two-page statement based on a set of questions must be prepared whereby, inter alia, the applicant’s academic CV, previous academic accomplishments (e.g., publications), and prospects for an academic career in Germany are assessed.
- The research project must be agreed upon with the researcher.
During the research stay
Organization
- provision of a workspace
- request for a uni username with corresponding email address
- support in requesting a library card and accessing other infrastructure necessary for the research (access to servers, keys/transponder, copy cards, etc.)
- if necessary, applying for visiting scholar status (varies by faculty) for funded researchers
Academic supervising and career development support
During their research stay, researchers must be supported and provided with academic supervision. This includes, among other things:
- helping the researcher integrate into the workplace and research group
- introducing the researcher to the German (and, if necessary, European) academic system
- introducing academic career options in Germany (and, if applicable, Europe)
- lending networking support
- helping the researcher integrate into the academic and nonacademic labor market
- informing the researcher about potentially interesting events offered by HR Development or the Hamburg Research Academy
- showing the researcher possibilities for the period after their scholarship runs out
- providing support for applications for external funding that might facilitate further employment.
What support do I receive as a supervisor?
The Department of International Affairs maintains regular contact with academic hosts and researchers and provides various kinds of support.
Prior to the research stay
The Department of International Affairs
- provides advice on the various funding programs for researchers at risk
- supports application processes, above all for funding from the Philipp Schwartz Initiative and the Hamburg Programme for Scholars at Risk
- provides application forms (application templates, attachments, etc.)
- applies for proof of risk status
- coordinates the application process for funding via the Philipp Schwartz Initiative.
During the research stay
The Department of International Affairs continues to support the academic host after funding has been granted.
The Department of International Affairs
- maintains contact with the funding provider
- provides administrative support between the funding provider and the University (e.g., concluding projects financially and creating progress reports and proof of use of funds)
- coordinates funding payments to researchers
- advises on the use of lump sums for recipients of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative
- advises on extension options for the Philipp Schwartz Fellowship and lends support for the extension request.
When preparing an external-funding application, contact Dr. Bernhard Kenter(bernhard.kenter"AT"uni-hamburg.de) in Department 4—he will advise you on possible funding programs.
Lump sums for Philipp Schwartz Initiative fellowships
For funding recipients of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, various other activities are also funded. These may contribute to the researcher’s current stay at Universität Hamburg or the researcher’s general career development. This includes:
- participation in career development measures and activities
- German courses
- purchasing of research materials
- intercultural training
- travel costs for interviews in Germany (for interviews abroad, each case must be reviewed individually)
- participation in academic conferences at home and abroad (conference fees, travel and accommodation costs)
- publication costs (language editing, costs of researcher’s own publications, etc.).