University of Hamburg extends aid schemes for refugees until 2025

21 December 2023

"UHH hilft" and "Scholars at Risk" enter next round as refugee students and researchers in great need of support

The University of Hamburg has extended its "UHH hilft" and "Scholars at Risk" schemes consisting of preparatory classes, language courses, mentoring and advisory programmes to help refugee students access higher education. Refugee researchers have received scholarships of EUR 2,000 per month as part of UHHH. The university has helped refugee students especially from Morocco, Nigeria, Iran, Ukraine and Syria hitherto. Both aid schemes have been funded by the Ministry of Science, Research, Equal Opportunities and Districts until 2025.

Improving educational opportunities and participation for refugees

"Global volatility has an impact on science and universities. As a flagship university, we see it as our responsibility to support students and researchers affected by complex crises," said Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, President of UHH. The "UHH hilft" scheme has had an above-average, positive impact on the admission of international students. Around 250 refugees per semester have availed of the support services since the winter semester 2022/2023 and the trend is rising. The ministry will put EUR 100,000 towards each scheme in 2024 and 2025.

Funding for projects until 2025

The ministry is putting EUR 125,000 towards the support for refugee researchers until 2025 and had previously provided EUR 100,000 for the launch of the "Scholars at Risk" scheme and as part of the "science bridge" for Ukraine. Since 2019, 30 scholarship holders including 18 from Ukraine have received aid. The funding for the next two years is essential "so that the success story can continue", said Katharina Fegebank, Senator for Science, Research and Equality. "The two pilot projects UHH hilft and the Hamburg Programme for Scholars at Risk provide support to individuals who have had to flee or are facing persecution. It is important that people with refugee backgrounds can connect with us as quickly as possible," she added.

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