Many social scientists work under difficult conditions, whether due to war, political instability, discrimination, persecution, censorship, or displacement. International collaborations can help to enable basic research and independent scholarship even under such conditions. However, it is often difficult to establish these collaborations in times of crisis.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) supports such collaborations—currently with a focus on the Middle East, but also with offers for refugee scientists—with specific funding lines:

Support for refugee scientists:

https://www.dfg.de/de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten-themen/info-wissenschaft/2025/ifw-25-10 

https://www.dfg.de/de/foerderung/foerderinitiativen/gefluechtete-forschende 

Middle East cooperation:

https://www.dfg.de/de/foerderung/foerdermoeglichkeiten/programme/inter-foerdermassnahmen/nahostkooperation 

Bilateral German-Israeli projects:

https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/countries-regions/il-isf 

The DGS wants to help facilitate matching between its members and the social scientists concerned—whether in the Middle East or as refugees in Germany. To this end, we are currently working on a cooperation and matching platform to bring together social scientists who are looking for opportunities to collaborate.

DGS members who are interested in such collaborations and individuals who fit the above categories can enter their research and collaboration interests here:

https://easy-feedback.de/DGS-Kooperationen/2030944/7zs77h 

Interested parties will then receive contacts to people who have entered similar interests. Where possible, the DGS also provides advice on specific funding opportunities and opportunities for collaboration.

If you have contacts to individuals or associations who would like to participate in such an exchange or otherwise contribute to this initiative, please contact Anna Wanka (wanka(at)em.uni-frankfurt.de) at any time.