Evaluation of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative offers universities and research institutions in Germany the opportunity to take in endangered researchers for 24 months on the basis of a full fellowship. The evaluation agency Technopolis assessed the programme in 2019 on behalf of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Objectives achieved to a great extent 

According to the final report, the initiative’s objectives have thus far been achieved to a great extent. Through new legal, administrative and even social structures, host institutions have made it easier to take in researchers who are at threat. These individuals are being successfully integrated into German institutions. They can resume their research work at their new institutions and everyone involved in these projects is also looking at the options available to these fellows once they complete their fellowship. With its Philipp Schwartz Initiative the Humboldt Foundation is additionally raising awareness at many institutions in the German science system of the situation of endangered researchers and has established itself as a key player in this area.

Methodology 

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used during the evaluation. The results of the evaluation are based on online surveys conducted of all project managers, mentors and fellows from the first four selection rounds which were held from May 2016 to August 2018. The evaluation was expanded by numerous interviews with national and international stakeholders in the programme field and with programme managers at the Humboldt Foundation. 

Detailed results including recommendations for refining and improving the programme can be downloaded here:

• Summary of the evaluation (PDF, 171 KB)
• Final report of the evaluation (in German only) (PDF, 2 MB)