Consequences of the war in Ukraine

Aarhus University stands together with all the universities in Denmark in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and taking any consequences this may involve for the university sector. One of these consequences is that institutional research and education agreements with Russia and Belarus have been suspended. On this page, students, staff and partners can find more information about the consequences of the war in Ukraine for Aarhus University. 


Consequences for research

Many are affected by the current crisis in Ukraine, and Aarhus University is distancing itself from the Russian state – not individual people. Regardless of citizenship, everyone at AU should be treated with respect and decency. If you experience discrimination or harassment, please contact your immediate supervisor. 

As an institution, Aarhus University has no direct research agreements with Russian/Belarusian institutions, and we will not enter into new agreements. Below you will find an overview of the consequences of the war for research stays, employment and collaborations at AU. AU supports the sanctions issued by the EU, the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and Universities Denmark.

Visiting scholars from Russian/Belarusian institutions

Visiting scholars and visiting PhD students from Russian/Belarusian institutions can remain and complete their research stays. We will not arrange any new research stays, and we will not renew existing exchange agreements for researchers and PhD students.

Employment

The current sanctions are aimed at Russian and Belarusian institutions and not individuals. For this reason, Russian and Belarusian citizens may still apply for jobs and PhD programmes at AU. We may not discriminate on the basis of citizenship.

Meetings/conferences

AU employees may not participate in meetings/conferences at Russian/Belarusian institutions, and representatives of Russian/Belarusian institutions may not be invited to participate in events at AU.

EU projects

Aarhus University has a number of collaborations with Russian institutions through Horizon Europe projects. The European Commission has decided to sanction Russia in the research sector by not allowing Russian institutions to enter into new collaborations and by suspending payment to Russian partners in ongoing projects.

Co-publication

In connection with co-publication, researchers at AU must be particularly vigilant regarding the co-author’s place of employment, the purpose of the research and how the research is financed. If you are in any doubt as to whether a co-publication will appear as supporting the Russian or Belarusian regime, please clarify this with your immediate supervisor.

Collaboration with companies

In connection with research or educational collaboration involving Russian-owned or Belarusian-owned companies, researchers at AU must be particularly vigilant regarding the company’s purpose and ownership. If you are in any doubt as to whether a collaboration will appear as supporting the Russian or Belarusian regime, please clarify this with your immediate supervisor.

Research collaboration in the Arctic Council

Researchers working in Russia can participate virtually in meetings under the auspices of the Arctic Council to ensure that the Council continues to function.

The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science has decided that researchers working in Denmark should have the opportunity to participate in research collaboration under the auspices of the Arctic Council even if – under exceptional circumstances – this collaboration includes researchers working in Russia. This therefore applies to researchers working at Aarhus University.

One condition for this collaboration to take place – which may include joint publications, projects and virtual meetings, etc. – is that it is not bilateral with Russia but that it also includes researchers from other Arctic countries. Another condition is that researchers working in Denmark always adhere to the Danish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and the guidelines for international research and innovation collaboration (URIS).

Consequences for education

Aarhus University is keen to help the students affected by the tragic events in Ukraine.

All students residing in Denmark – regardless of their citizenship – should be treated with respect and decency. If you experience discrimination or harassment, you can find the right person to contact at our Zero Tolerance-page.

Aarhus University has four education agreements with Russian institutions – these have all been terminated. Information on this issue will be updated as the situation develops.

Students from Russian/Belarusian institutions who are currently on exchange programmes at AU may complete these programmes. However, no new exchange programmes may be arranged.

Special initiatives for displaced people from Ukraine

Erasmus+ for members of staff

Members of staff employed at Ukrainian higher education institutions (HEIs) who have fled Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion can apply for an Erasmus+ staff exchange programme at Aarhus University. The exchange programme can last for a maximum of 60 days. PhD students are also eligible to apply.

Scholars at Risk

Aarhus University is playing an active role in the Scholars at Risk network.

Scholars at Risk Ukraine

A joint initiative by Novo Nordisk Foundation, Carlsberg Foundation, Villum Foundation and Universities Denmark offer opportunities to Ukrainian researchers affected by the war in their homeland. The new initiative enables remote scholarships as well as fellowships at a Danish university for a period of up to one year.

The initiative will be hosted under Scholars at Risk and will go by the name “Scholars at Risk Ukraine” (SARU).

Read all about how to apply.

Legislation

The Danish Parliament has passed special legislation for people displaced from Ukraine (link in Danish). In continuation of this legislation, on 24 April 2022, the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science issued a number of ministerial orders (no. 473, 474, 475, 476 and 477) that exempt people displaced from Ukraine from paying full tuition fees for higher education programmes in Denmark.
The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science is currently investigating how the EU Commission’s decision to provide Erasmus+ scholarships to students fleeing Ukraine can be implemented in Denmark. As soon as a system is in place, Aarhus University will use this system to host Erasmus+ students fleeing Ukraine.

Information particularly relevant for international staff and PhD students

International staff and PhD students can find more information at AU's pages for international staff.

News from the Danish authorities

Go to New to Denmark's website to get information from SIRI and the Danish Immigration Service for Ukrainian citizens.