Safe Harbour: Supporting Scientists at Risk

One Challenge After Another: the Butterfly Effect continues

The ICTP community united behind a common goal in late 2025 and achieved something extraordinary: turning a single "butterfly" into 100,000.

Now the "Butterfly Effect Challenge" has now inspired another longtime ICTP donor and friend to create not one, but two extraordinary challenge opportunities.

Prof. Adnan Shihab-Eldin, a friend and supporter who has been connected to ICTP since the days of Abdus Salam has issued a generous challenge to support two vital new initiatives.

The ICTP global community now has the chance to double their donations once again and join Prof. Shihab-Eldin in keeping the momentum going.

Safe Harbour: Supporting Scientists at Risk

ICTP has a long history of standing with scientists and students who cannot return to their home countries due to conflict or geopolitical instability. The urgent need for this support was underscored recently when five students became stranded in Trieste due to the conflict in Iran. ICTP has also supported scientists from Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Venezuela, Sudan, Yemen, and Afganistan. The creation of this fund will ensure that resources are in place when urgent needs arise.

Prof. Shihab-Eldin, has pledged to match all donations to the "Scientists at Risk" fund 1:1, up to €20,000.