Cara was founded in 1933 by leading British academics and scientists as a rescue mission to help Jewish academics being persecuted in Nazi Germany. With the aim to relieve suffering and defend science and learning, our founders mobilised academic networks and universities to bring their colleagues to safety.

Over 90 years later, this mission remains at the heart of our work. Across the globe, thousands of academics face violence, discrimination, and repression. Cara helps them find a safe space and a supportive academic community so they can continue their work without fear.

Our Fellowship and Country Programmes have supported over 12,000 academics, including 16 Nobel Prize winners. Notable Cara alumni include Ernst Chain, Hans Krebs, and Max Born. Cara is firmly embedded in the UK higher education and research community, with 135 UK higher education institutions in our network. Our story reflects the UK Higher Education sector’s history of resilience, cooperation, and commitment to academic freedom.

As conflicts, crises and violence rise across the globe, we aim to help many more.

In the last three years, applications for Cara Fellowships have reached the highest level of demand since our founding in 1933. This volume of fellowships is difficult to sustain on our own.

With your continued support, we can help many more. If you would like to support our work, you can donate securely here: www.cara.ngo. For updates on Cara, you can sign up for our newsletter here.