MHB starts support program for foreign scientists at risk

Rüdersdorf, 8 September 2026

Academic freedom is a key prerequisite for independent research and an open society. The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) has initiated a Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program as a firmer commitment to the protection of vulnerable scientists, with Dr. Samia Akhter-Khan in charge of the program on site.

The program targets researchers and teachers who cannot safely continue their scientific activities in their home countries because of wars, political persecution or other severe threats. The MHB offers them the chance to continue their work in a protected environment, develop contacts in the scientific community and pursue their academic careers in Germany. The first postdoctoral Scholar at Risk joined the MHB in 2026.

Dr. Samia Akhter-Khan is in charge of the SAR program at the MHB and acts as mentor for vulnerable researchers. She underlines the university concept to assume responsibility and give a new perspective to colleagues at risk.

Backing from Philipp Schwartz Initiative

She secured funding from the Alexander von Humboldt foundation’s Philipp Schwartz Initiative as an important step to start the program. The initiative helps vulnerable researchers to continue their work at German universities and research institutions with financial support that will initially run for two years.

Established jointly by the Alexander von Humboldt foundation and the Federal Foreign Office in 2015, the Philipp Schwartz Initiative has supported 147 German universities and research institutions up till now in receiving more than 670 scholars at risk from over 30 nations and offering them a new academic home.

The MHB aims to recruit broader-based support within the university in this context. In addition to academic mentoring and inclusion in existing research structures, social integration plays an essential role.

Wanted: partners for Buddy Program and academic monitoring

The MHB plans to establish a Buddy Program to help scholars at risk upon arrival and during their time at the university. Interested MHB members who could imagine acting as a personal guide to a scholar at risk to facilitate that person’s orientation in the new circumstances are cordially invited to join in.

In addition, the MHB welcomes individual initiatives to provide academic guidance, expert advice or network contacts to future scholars at risk.

Dr. Samia Akhter-Khan: “It is our shared responsibility and a significant signal for the freedom of scholarship worldwide to host a scholar at risk. This is why we welcome all colleagues who are willing to give their time, expertise and personal support to the project.” Individuals with an interest in the Buddy Program and/or in mentoring activities for a scholar at risk are invited to contact Dr. Samia Akhter-Khan.

The new program sets a signal for the freedom of scholarship, international solidarity and the responsibility of universities to offer protection and academic perspectives to vulnerable researchers.

Contact:
Dr. Samia C. Akhter-Khan, Ph.D.
E-Mail: Samia.Akhter-Khan@mhb-fontane.de
Web: www.mhb-fontane.de/de/scholar-at-risk