IIE’s Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) provides fellowship grants for scholars whose lives or careers are threatened in their home countries. The fellowships support temporary academic positions at universities, colleges and other higher learning institutions in safe locations anywhere in the world. Fellowship periods of up to one calendar year are intended to allow the scholars to continue their important work pending improvement in conditions allowing their safe return home. Fellowships may be renewed for a second and final year. Since 2002 we have received more than 2000 requests for assistance from scholars in 100 countries. 334 scholars from 42 countries have been awarded fellowships and placed at institutions in 35 countries around the world.

Eligibility & Criteria
Professors, established researchers and other senior academics from any country, field or discipline may qualify. Applications are reviewed for academic qualifications, the quality/potential of the candidate's work, and the urgency of threats faced. Preference is given to scholars

-who are facing immediate, severe and targeted threats to their lives and/or careers in their home country or country of residence;
-with a Ph.D. or other highest degree in their field who have extensive teaching or research experience at a university, college or other institution of higher learning;
-who demonstrate superior academic accomplishment or promise;
-whose selection is likely to benefit the academic community in the home and/or host country or region.

• Applications from female scholars and scholars who are members of ethnic, racial, cultural or religious minority groups, or those otherwise underrepresented in their field, are encouraged.
• Fellowships are approved by the SRF Selection Committee which convenes at least three (3) times per year.
• Awards are issued for up to US $25,000, plus health insurance. The final fellowship award is dependent upon the location of the host institution, the cost of living, and the value of any additional contributions from the host institution or other source.
• Host academic institutions agree to accept the fellowship funds and disburse the funds to the scholar. In most cases, host institutions are required to match the SRF fellowship award through partial salary/stipend support, research materials, and other in-kind assistance.

Instructions and Application
Direct application & third-party nomination
Candidates may apply directly or be nominated by a third-party. Although the SRF invites applications from individual scholars, it does not provide awards directly to individuals. Fellowships are awarded to the host institution, which in turn issues the fellowship award for direct support of the scholar grantee.

Joint-applications encouraged, but not required
In most cases, financial and/or in-kind support equal or greater to the SRF award must be provided by the host institution or other source. For this reason, candidates are strongly encouraged -- but not required -- to apply jointly with a university or college that has agreed to host the visit and to provide the necessary matching funds. The SRF will work to identify a suitable host for successful candidates who apply without a pre-arranged host institution.

Deadlines
Applications and nominations are accepted at any time throughout the year, on a rolling basis. Applications will be considered by the SRF Selection Committee at least three (3) times per year, generally in January, April, and October. Non-emergency applications must be received at least 4 weeks before a committee meeting in order to be considered. Decisions will be announced approximately two (2) weeks after each Selection Committee meeting.

Emergency applications
Emergency applications will be considered earlier if a candidate's circumstances do not permit waiting for the next scheduled meeting of the Selection Committee.

Application Instructions
Applications materials must be in English or in the language of the proposed host institution/country. A complete application package including the following materials may be submitted by e-mail (preferred), fax or postal mail:

Application Review
In addition to a review of the required application materials listed below, the Scholar Rescue Fund contacts references and other sources, which may include independent experts on the country of origin or the particulars of the alleged situation of threat/risk.  In the cases of publicly known candidates or crises, verification can be relatively straightforward.  Other cases require extensive investigation and investment of SRF staff resources.  For particular types of alleged threat, including anonymous intimidation or situations involving detainment, imprisonment, and/or physical violence, verification is undertaken with particular sensitivity to the security concerns of the candidate. All candidates considered for fellowship support are screened against a database of names comprised of over 25 major international watch lists.

Required

1. Application coversheet Application Coversheet PDF
   Application Coversheet PDF for Iraqi candidates
   More information for Iraqi Candidates
   
   
2. Current CV or resume. Please include the following information:
   - Current position (location, dates of tenure, professional title & responsibilities);
   - Previous positions (in chronological order: location, dates of tenure, professional title & responsibilities);
   - All of your publications (journal articles, books, chapters) including the name of publication, title of work and date of publication;
   - Other relevant academic work (including supervision of Master’s and Ph.D. theses, conference presentations, grants/honors/awards, professional affiliations).
3. A letter or personal statement explaining your application. Please explain why you are applying to the Scholar Rescue Fund for support. Include a clear account of the threats or risks that you have been facing. Please also discuss your academic background and achievements, and explain what academic activities (research, teaching, publishing, etc.) you would undertake during a fellowship.
   
4. Two (2) academic/professional letters of reference from academic and/or professional colleagues who can speak to your research, publications, teaching or other advanced academic experience.
   
5. Two (2) personal letters of reference from colleagues or persons who are aware of the difficulties that you have been facing as well as your professional background. Letters from colleagues both inside and outside of your home country are preferred. Personal letters of reference can be combined with an academic/professional reference.
   

Not Required, but encouraged if available:

1. Detailed list of your publications and/or research.
   
2. Samples of your most current writing or research publications.
   
3. A letter from a university or college that may be able to host your fellowship, including, where possible, a proposed budget demonstrating the amount of financial support (direct and in-kind) to be provided.
   

**Please address all letters to:

Scholar Rescue Fund
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017-3580
USA

Tel:  (USA) 1-212-205-6486
Fax: (USA) 1-212-205-6425

E-mail: SRF@iie.org

Please visit our FREQUENT QUESTIONS page for additional information as you prepare your application materials.

++Eligibility, criteria, and award levels differ slightly for Iraqi applicants.

Click here for more information on the Iraq Scholar Rescue Project »