Resources for Our Community Members Affected by the War in Ukraine

Statue of a man in front of a building with US and Ukrainian flags

On February 24, 2022, military forces of the Russian Federation launched a full-scale armed assault against Ukraine. This invasion has resulted in the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, whole cities, and the deaths of innocent civilians. It has brought distress to Ukrainians both in the country and around the globe, including members of our Harvard community. The conflict has also created fear and uncertainty among students, staff, and faculty who are from Russia, Belarus and elsewhere in the region, among their friends and family, and indeed among all of us. The information on this page is intended to provide an overview of Harvard’s response, point to University resources available to those seeking assistance, and offer useful links for those looking for ways to learn more or get involved.

University Responses

President Bacow’s Statement on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

February 28, 2022

Let me begin by offering my thanks to the Davis Center and the Ukrainian Research Institute, its co-sponsors, and our panelists. Universities are built to bring people together, and technology has increased our capacity to draw audiences from around the world. This gathering exemplifies our convening strength—and its tremendous value.

On Friday, I wrote the director and executive director of the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute of my deep concern about the capricious and senseless invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the situation has deteriorated further. Over the weekend, members of our community rallied at the heart of our campus and spoke clearly and forcefully against the crisis.

Now is a time for all voices to be raised.

The deplorable actions of Vladimir Putin put at risk the lives of millions of people and undermine the concept of sovereignty. Institutions devoted to the perpetuation of democratic ideals and to the articulation of human rights have a responsibility to condemn such wanton aggression.

Harvard will continue to support in whatever ways we can members of our community who face grave uncertainty. We will continue to share knowledge of Ukraine and advance understanding of its culture, history, and language. And we will continue to speak against cruelty, and to act with compassion as we hold to hope for resolution—and for liberation.

Today the Ukrainian flag flies over Harvard Yard. Harvard University stands with the people of Ukraine.

Thank you.

Opening remarks at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies and Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University event, Rapid Response Panel: Ukraine Under Attack.

Read the statement on the President’s website.

Statements from Schools, International Centers, and Departments

Resources for Students and Scholars on Campus

Harvard Offices

  • Harvard International Office: The HIO works in support of all international students and scholars at Harvard College, the graduate and professional schools, as well as those at the numerous research centers and affiliated teaching hospitals. They are best positioned to assist with questions pertaining to immigration requirements, visas, and related issues, and can help advise students concerned about the impact that the war in Ukraine may have on their visa status in the United States or their ability to travel abroad.

 

  • Harvard Representation Initiative of the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program: The Harvard Representation Initiative provides legal consultations, representation and social service support to members of the Harvard community who are concerned about their immigration status. Our legal representation includes assistance with filing immigration applications, representing clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in Immigration Court, and beyond. Harvard community members with immigration questions are encouraged to schedule a free consultation. To schedule an appointment, please email hri@law.harvard.edu or call our office at (617) 495-6648.

 

  • Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS): CAMHS is a counseling and mental health support service which seeks to work collaboratively with students, Schools, and the University to support individuals who are experiencing some measure of distress in their lives. CAMHS also hosted Ukrainian, Russian, and Eastern European Student Support at CAMHSin-person support groups on two dates in April for students affected by, or concerned with, the current events in Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Russia. Students who require emergency medical attention should dial 911; if you need to talk with a counselor right now about a mental health concern, call the CAHMS Cares 24/7 line at (617) 495-2042.

 

  • Harvard Chaplains: The Harvard Chaplains, a professional community of more than thirty chaplains, represent many of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, and share a collective commitment to serving the spiritual needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Harvard University.

School-Specific Accommodations

The daily headlines can make it hard to meet daily deadlines. For information on academic accommodations or other resources, we encourage you to reach out to your School contact below:

Emergency Funding Options

The war in Ukraine has significantly disrupted international financial systems, which may make it difficult for those who depend on funding from home to continue to receive that support. It may also make it difficult to send money home. Students who are experiencing financial distress or are worried about potential problems should seek to take advantage of their Schools’ existing programs to provide assistance to those in need.

Harvard Summer Stay in Washington, D.C.

The Center for Hellenic Studies (CHS), in partnership with the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), is accepting applications for its joint Harvard Summer Stay in Washington, DC initiative. This opportunity is open to Harvard College students impacted by the war in Ukraine and who wish to live in Washington, DC for the summer (May 20-August 20). Accepted students will receive a travel grant of $650, a $500/month allowance for incidentals, shared accommodation at the Center for Hellenic Studies’ DC campus, and weekday lunches.

Access the application and more information here.
 

Resources for Scholars Abroad

Resources

The invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the greatest refugee crisis in Europe since the end of World War II. Among those displaced by the war, many are professors, scientists, scholars, writers, and others affiliated with Ukraine’s approximately 400 institutions of higher education. Harvard is committed to finding ways to support to these and other academics whose lives have been disrupted by the war.

  • Scholars at Risk: The Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program at Harvard is dedicated to helping scholars, artists, writers, and public intellectuals from around the world escape persecution and continue their work by providing ten-month-long academic fellowships at Harvard University. SAR at Harvard relies on the generosity of private donors and the Office of the President to carry out its mission. While the deadline for 2022 SAR fellowships has passed, if you have an emergency case to present, please contact SAR Program Director Jane Unrue.

 

  • Fellowship opportunities for Ukrainians: In conjunction with the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, Austria (IWM), the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI) is offering fellowship opportunities for Ukrainian scholars, cultural figures, and public intellectuals who are now in an EU country. Intended to facilitate intellectual solidarity, the documentation of Russian aggression and Ukrainian experiences of war, and exploration of the Ukrainian cultural experience, these nonresidential fellowships are currently open for application on the IWM website. 

 

  • Dumbarton Oaks Research Fellowships: Home of the Humanities, Dumbarton Oaks is a Harvard University research institute, library, museum, and garden located in Washington, DC. Since 1940, it supports research in Byzantine Studies, Pre-Columbian Studies, and Garden and Landscape Studies in the form of fellowships and other awards, scholarly conferences, publications, and digital initiatives. We encourage scholars abroad to explore its programming, particularly in Byzantine Studies, which offers fellowships to enable historical, philological, art historical, archaeological, and theological research into the civilization of the Byzantine Empire from the fourth to the fifteenth century. Contact Dumbarton Oaks’ Fellowships and Grants or Byzantine Studies offices for more information.

 

 

  • Harvard Medical School's Support for Ukraine Scientists: The Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) at Harvard Medical School stands in solidarity with scientists in Ukraine, as well as scientists in Russia and Belarus who voice their anti-war position, risking oppression from the increasingly totalitarian regimes. To support these scientists, the department has opened funded visiting trainee positions for current PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. The department focuses on research in computational biology, computational genetics and genomics, and biomedical data science. See their website for application information.

News, Events, and Other Resources

Events

Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics: Tuesday, September 27, 2022: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Addresses Harvard Live from Ukraine

News: Harvard Community Efforts and Responses

Other Resources and Suggested Reading