IIE-SRF Fellowship for Threatened Scholars 2020

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 $25,000 USD 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.

IIE-SRF Fellowship Eligibility.

• Applicant should 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.
• They encourage applications from women and members of ethnic, racial, cultural, or religious minority groups, or those otherwise underrepresented in their fields.

IIE-SRF Fellowship Benefits.

The IIE-SRF fellowship award includes a grant of up to US$25,000, along with individual health insurance and relocation funding, to support a visiting academic appointment of up to one year (renewable for a second year). The final fellowship amount is dependent upon several factors, including the location of the host institution, the cost of living, and the value of any additional contributions from the host institution or other sources.

IIE-SRF Fellowship Assessment Criteria.

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.

How to Apply for IIE-SRF Fellowship.

The required application materials include:

• Application coversheet
• Current CV or resume: Please be sure your CV includes the following information:
  • Academic degrees (degree-granting institution, field, and date of degree award);
  • Current position (location, dates of employment, professional title, and responsibilities);
  • Previous academic positions (in chronological order, including location, dates of employment, professional title, and responsibilities);
  • A detailed list of your academic publications (journal articles, books, chapters, exhibitions, etc.) including full citations with the name of publication, authors, title of work, date of publication, and page numbers, if possible;
  • Other relevant academic work (including supervision of master’s and Ph.D. theses, conference presentations, grants/honors/awards, professional affiliations, etc.). 
• Academic statement: Provide a thorough statement detailing your academic and professional background and experience, including a thorough description of your academic research interests. Be sure to include a description of the activities that you have undertaken in your academic positions as well as an explanation of the activities (research, teaching, publishing, etc.) you would undertake during a fellowship. Your academic statement should be a minimum of one page.
• Personal statement: Provide a thorough statement explaining why you are applying to IIE-SRF for support. Include a clear and detailed account of the threats or risks that you have been facing and the reasons that you cannot continue your work in your home country at this time. Your personal statement should be a minimum of one page. 
• Reference letters: IIE-SRF requires a minimum of three (3) reference letters that contain the elements listed below. In some cases, additional letters may be requested. Letters from colleagues both inside and outside of your home country are preferred. Please note that IIE-SRF requires original reference letters. Letters should not use identical text, and each referee should speak to his/her specific knowledge of your academic background and/or circumstances. When possible, please have your referees compose their letters on official letterhead and send them to IIE-SRF directly at srf@iie.org.
  • Two (2) academic/professional letters of reference from academic or professional colleagues who can speak in detail to your research, publications, teaching, or other academic experience. When appropriate, letters should describe your unique expertise and contributions to specific intellectual issues or questions.
  • Two (2) personal letters of reference from colleagues or other persons who are aware of your circumstances and can describe the threats that you have been facing. 
• A copy of your Ph.D. or highest degree.
• Samples of your most current research publications.
• If you have already secured a commitment from a university or other institution to host your fellowship, please provide a letter from the host indicating their intent to host, if you are awarded. Please note that this is not a requirement.

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

Official Link