Scholars at Risk | Germany Section | NRW Group
The NRW group is a network of universities hosting refugee and at-risk scholars in North Rhine-Westfalia.
Amongst other things, the network organizes regular meetings, usually twice a year, for its member organisations plus a series of workshops (see below) for scientists. It also operates a mailing list.
Universities interested in an exchange are welcome to contact
Sibel Schmidt: s.schmidt
verw.uni-koeln.de
2025 Support Program for Scholars at Risk
In 2025, 8 of the Scholars at Risk member institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) are continuing to offer a collaborative support program for at-risk scholars. The Philipp Schwartz fellows of the participating institutions are the target group of this program, but other interested at-risk scholars may also apply for participation. The workshops and seminars discuss various research- and career-related issues and are intended to help at-risk scholars with starting their professional life in Germany.
Who can participate?
Philipp Schwartz fellows of the involved institutions and other interested at-risk scholars.
Information for Fellows Who Are Not at One of the Universities Listed Below
How to participate?
Please reach out to the contact person at your institution if you would like to participate. If you are not already known by the contact person, you might be required to submit your CV and a letter of motivation. The respective institutions will then decide on your application. Interested participants may join the program at any time.
What’s on offer?
More workshops may be added to this page over the course of time. Participation in all events is desirable, but not mandatory. It is also possible to join only selected events. Invitations with detailed information will be sent to the participants in due time before the event takes place. We kindly ask for your understanding that it is not possible to participate without prior registration. Participation is free of charge.
Contact/Registration
Please reach out to the contact person at your university if you wish to register.
If you are a scholar from a university that is not listed here, please get in touch with the contact person for at-risk scholars at your university and ask them to contact us for you.
Please note that the program is meant for postdocs.
Programme
March
17-03-2025 – “The German Social Security System” (University of Düsseldorf)
Germany has a reputation for having one of the best social security systems in the world. At its core, the social security system is based on five pillars: health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance and accident insurance.
But how does the system actually work? Which insurances are available for international researchers? What differences apply to researchers with a work contract and those with a scholarship? What are the benefits of statutory health insurance? What do you need to consider when seeing a doctor? Which additional private insurances are beneficial for international researchers? All these questions will be addressed in this information session. Furthermore, the event will provide time to address participants' individual questions.
Dr. Sigrun Wegener-Feldbrügge (JUNO)
Online Seminar: 17-03-2025; 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
April
24-04-2025/08-05-2025 – “Innovate to Impact - Transforming Research and Ideas Into Real-World Solutions" (University of Bochum)
Worldfactory, the Transfer & Entrepreneurship Hub of Ruhr University Bochum is excited to invite international researchers to an upcoming two-part workshop series: “Innovate to Impact - Transforming Research and Ideas Into Real-World Solutions”. This interactive event is designed to assist participants explore entrepreneurship as a possible additional career path and learn how to transform research finding and ideas into tangible solutions.
✅ Discover how to turn research findings and ideas into a potential startup idea
✅ Mutually learn from and exchange experiences with science-/research based startups from Ruhr University Bochum
✅ Explore funding and grant opportunities for research-driven entrepreneurship
✅ Participate in a hands-on design thinking session to explore potential ideas
✅ Connect with like-minded peers and expand your professional network
Worldfactory International
24-04-2025/08-05-2025; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., RUB-Makerspace, University of Bochum
May
19-05-2025 – “German taxes in a nutshell” (University of Düsseldorf)
Depending on their source of income, international researchers living in Germany can be subject to German income tax. This information session will give an overview of the most important aspects of the German income tax for expats and try to tackle the most common questions arising such as: Do I have to pay income taxes? Do I need to make an income tax declaration? When do l have to file my tax return and how? Do I also have to pay taxes in my home country?
A Q&A session will be allocated at the end so as to tend to your personal questions. You are most welcome to send in any specific questions or areas you are interested in prior to the session.
Dr. Sigrun Wegener-Feldbrügge (JUNO)
Online Seminar: 19-05-2025; 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
20-05-2025 – "Strategic Third Party Funding Acquisition and Proposal Writing" (University of Cologne)
Successful third party funding acquisiiton is one crucial performance indicator in science. Moreover, good scientific projects need financial support from third party funding. In light of limited public funding, the securing of sources of financial support is an important task for a scientist.
Funding opportunities are manifold in the German academic system. Each funding program requires different criteria for eligibility grant proposals differ. However, a certain logic to all proposals exists. This workshop delivers information on the funding landscape in the German academic system. It shows how strategic considerations naturally lead to a sound proposal. The participants receive theoretical input and engage with the various aspects through guided exercises. These include group exercises, individual exercises, both with guided plenum discussions.
Dr. Annette Kolb
Online Seminar: 20-05-2025; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
June
17-06-2025 – “The German academic landscape for internationals” (University of Düsseldorf)
A variety of institutions with diverse objectives and interests characterize the German research landscape. In this seminar, participants will learn about the German higher education system, non-university research institutions as well as possible entry positions and funding opportunities for international junior scientists. In addition, the seminar will also present career prospects beyond research positions.
Dr. Uta Brunner
Online seminar: 17-06-2025; 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
September
18/19-09-2025 “Applying for Jobs in Germany“ (RWTH Aachen)
This two-afternoon webinar will focus on improving application skills for careers in science, economy and public administration. The sessions provide orientation on job searching within these fields and strategies based on career interests. Participants will receive guidance on creating personal profiles that highlight their motivation, qualifications, and unique strengths. The event will also cover the written application process, emphasizing key elements of a successful application and effective presentation formats. Finally, guidance will be provided on the job interview process, including typical and critical questions to help participants respond confidently.
Dr. Andreas Stützer
Online Seminar; 18/19-09-2025; 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Contact
RWTH Aachen
Contact Person: Cathrin Urbanke
cathrin.urbankezhv.rwth-aachen.de
www.rwth-aachen.de
University of Cologne
Contact Person: Sibel Schmidt
s.schmidtverw.uni-koeln.de
www.uni-koeln.de
University of Siegen
Contact Person: Dr. Nadine Hoffmann
nadine.hoffmannuni-siegen.de
www.uni-siegen.de
University of Bonn
International Office
Contact Person: Jessica Greis-Mills
greis@verwaltung.uni-bonn.de
www.uni-bonn.de
University of Düsseldorf
Contact Person: Dr. Sigrun Wegener-Feldbrügge
wegenerfhhu.de
www.uni-duesseldorf.de
University of Bochum
Contact Person: Iris Vernekohl
iris.vernekohl@uv.rub.de
www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de
University of Münster
Contact Person: Maria Homeyer
international.researchersuni-muenster.de
www.uni-muenster.de
University of Paderborn
Contact Person: Aminah Schneider
welcomeuni-paderborn.de
www.uni-paderborn.de