According to the Academic Freedom Index, academic freedom is now severely restricted in 27 countries. This means that around 3.6 billion people worldwide live without academic freedom. The SAFE programme therefore offers scientists at risk in their home countries a safe framework to continue their research at European universities or research institutions.

In the pilot phase, up to 60 researchers will initially be placed at universities and research institutions across the EU and funded for two years. The European Commission is supporting the project with twelve million euros until 2027.

The programme will start at the beginning of September and the first researchers are expected to be in the EU from spring 2025. European universities can nominate researchers from countries outside the EU for the programme. Individual applications by researchers to the DAAD are not possible. Non-EU citizens who are already recognised as refugees in the EU can also be nominated for the programme via a university in the EU.