The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has marked the fifth anniversary of the Hilde Domin Programme with a positive assessment of its impact. Launched in 2021 and funded by the Federal Foreign Office, the programme enables threatened students and doctoral candidates to continue their studies or research safely in Germany.  

Since its launch, the DAAD has awarded 285 scholarships to recipients from 24 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Belarus, Turkey, Syria and Myanmar. It is currently supporting 116 scholarship holders: 18 bachelor’s students, 40 master’s students and 58 doctoral candidates. 

The programme offers more than protection. It gives recipients new academic, professional and personal prospects, while allowing many to remain connected to their countries of origin and contribute to education, civil society and social development from exile. 

Named after poet and writer Hilde Domin, who fled Nazi persecution and later returned to Germany, the programme continues her legacy of resilience, education and intellectual freedom. 

Find out more about the programme and the anniversary here.