IIE Scholar Rescue Fund 2021 for Threatened and Displaced Scholars

Application Deadline: 29th June 2020

About the Award: The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is the only global program that arranges and funds fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at partnering higher education institutions worldwide. These year-long fellowships of $25,000USD support temporary academic positions at institutions of higher learning anywhere in the world where IIE-SRF fellows can continue their work in safety. In most cases, IIE-SRF fellows are eligible to apply for a second and final year of fellowship support.

Type: PhD

Eligibility: Scholars from any country and in any academic field or discipline may qualify. Applicants are assessed based on academic qualifications and experience, the quality and/or potential of their work, and the urgency of the threats that they face.
Preference is given to scholars who:

• hold a Ph.D. or highest degree in their field and have significant teaching and/or research experience at a university, college, or other institution of higher learning;
• have an established record of published research;
• demonstrate superior academic accomplishment or promise;
• are facing or have recently fled from immediate, targeted threats to their lives and/or careers in their home countries or countries of residence;
• will benefit their home and/or host academic communities.

We encourage applications from women and members of ethnic, racial, cultural, or religious minority groups, or those otherwise underrepresented in their fields.
Unfortunately, IIE-SRF typically cannot consider applications from individuals who:

• are seeking to continue their studies, including Ph.D. study, or to complete an academic training program;
• have been displaced or have resided outside their home countries for more than two years;
• hold citizenship or permanent residency in a safe second country;
• will have completed two years on a comparable fellowship or other program for threatened scholars.

Because of high demand for assistance, IIE-SRF is not able to grant fellowship support to all applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

Eligible Countries: Any

To be Taken at (Country): Country of choice

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: The IIE-SRF fellowship package includes the following:  

• A yearlong research and/or teaching appointment at a higher education institution in a safe location anywhere in the world;  
• a fellowship grant of up to $25,000 (most awards are eligible for renewal for a second and final year);  
• individual health insurance coverage;  
• funding for relocation to the host institution;  
• professional development support through resource guides and access to academic networks; CV and cover letter review; letters of reference; career mentorship and advising on post-fellowship opportunities; and (in some cases) financial support for conference attendance and language training;  
• opportunities through IIE-SRF or partner events, media, or other venues to share or promote the fellow’s academic work and/or speak about his/her home country;  
• dedicated support from IIE-SRF and its partners – before, during, and after the fellowship.

Duration of Award: The IIE-SRF fellowship term typically ranges from 9 to 12 months. The fellowship term is ultimately determined by the needs of hosts and fellows. Fellows are eligible to apply for a renewal of the fellowship for up to one additional year of financial support.

How to Apply: Scholars can apply by sending the required application materials to us directly at srf@iie.org. In cases where a scholar is unable to submit the application, a third party may send the materials on their behalf.

• It is important to go through all application requirements in the Award Webpage (see Link below) before applying.

Visit Award Webpage for Details