IIE Scholar Rescue Fund — Fellowship

The IIE Scholar Rescue Fund is run by the Institute of International Education for professors, researchers, and public intellectuals who face threats and cannot continue their work in their home countries. It arranges yearlong visiting appointments at partner higher education institutions worldwide, including placements within a scholar’s home region.

Fellows continue research, publishing, teaching, or other academic work in safety. Applications are accepted throughout the year, with award decisions made at least quarterly and, when necessary, on an emergency basis.

Benefits & funding

A fellowship grant of up to USD 30,000 for one year.
Individual health insurance and staff help with arranging the visiting position and academic, family, and other support.
Host institutions generally provide matching support of equal or greater value through salary and direct support.
In most cases, fellows may apply for a second and final year of support.

Eligibility

Open to professors, researchers, and public intellectuals from any country and any academic field who face threats and cannot continue their work in their home countries.
Academic qualifications and experience, the quality or potential of the applicant’s work, and the urgency of the threats are assessed.
Preference is given to applicants with a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field, significant higher-education teaching or research experience, a publication record, strong academic achievement or promise, immediate targeted threats, and potential benefit to home or host academic communities.
IIE-SRF typically cannot consider students seeking to continue a degree or training program, people displaced or residing outside their home country for more than two years, people with citizenship or permanent residence in a safe second country, or people who have completed two years on a comparable threatened-scholar program.
Ukrainian applicants are currently considered only for fellowships in Eastern or Central Europe, not elsewhere in Europe.

Can you apply?

Open to all applicants

No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.

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Application process

1
Review the eligibility criteria and download the official application form.
2
Prepare the form, current CV, academic statement, personal statement, reference letters, highest-degree copy, and recent research samples; a host commitment letter is optional.
3
Submit the materials directly using the email, fax, or postal details on the official instructions page; a third party may submit for a scholar who cannot do so.
4
IIE-SRF reviews the academic record and threat circumstances and may contact references, outside experts, or the applicant for more information.

Program timeline

Year-round
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
October 11, 2026
Deadline for possible consideration at the December 2026 Selection Committee meeting.
At least quarterly
Award decisions; emergency decisions may also be issued.
Fellowship appointment
One year, with a possible second and final year in most cases.