EC initiative to help refugee scientists and researchers

The European Commission has launched (Oct 4) the ‘science4refugees’ initiative for asylum-seeking and refugee scientists and researchers. This measure will enable a match-making process between refugees and asylum seekers with a scientific background and the scientific institutions that voluntarily declare themselves as "refugee-welcoming organisations".

‘science4refugees’ is accessible to refugees and institutions through the EURAXESS-Researchers in Motion portal- a pan-European initiative providing access to a complete range of information and support services to researchers wishing to pursue their research careers in Europe or stay connected to it.

Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "The launch of the science4refugees is a very exciting example of how Europe's scientific community can be truly Open to the World. And also an example of how the European Commission can bring concrete actions to mitigate the ongoing crisis. By matching refugees and asylum seekers who have a scientific background with European scientific institutions, the EU will gain a huge diversity of new insight for our research, science and innovation, while taking practical steps in providing meaningful opportunities for a vastly talented, but greatly underprivileged, community. This is just one example of how we can show true solidarity to refugees and asylum seekers in the European Union.”