Funding

Partial / Stipend

Program dates

TBA

Fellowship•Global

IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) Fellowship

Institute of International Education (IIE)

Application Deadline

Rolling admission

Official Page

The IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF), run by the Institute of International Education, is described as the only global program that arranges, funds, and supports fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars. It helps professors, researchers, and public intellectuals who face targeted threats to their lives or careers continue their academic work in safety. Fellows are hosted at partnering institutions of higher learning — IIE-SRF has placed more than 1,000 scholars from over 60 countries at 500-plus host partner institutions worldwide. The program pairs a scholar with a host university where they can teach and research away from danger.

Benefits & funding

  • Year-long fellowship of USD $30,000 supporting a temporary academic position at a host institution.
  • Placement at an institution of higher learning anywhere in the world where the fellow can continue their work in safety; host institutions typically provide additional support.
  • In most cases fellows are eligible to apply for a second and final year of fellowship support.

Eligibility

  • Open to professors, researchers, and public intellectuals from any country, field, or discipline.
  • Preference for scholars holding a PhD or the highest degree in their field, with significant teaching and/or research experience at a university, college, or other institution of higher learning.
  • Applicants must be facing, or have recently fled, immediate and targeted threats to their lives and/or careers in their home country or country of residence.
  • Applications are assessed on academic qualifications and experience, the quality or potential of the work, and the urgency of the threats faced.

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

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  • Education required

    PhD

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Application process

  1. 1
    Prepare an academic statement (minimum one page) covering academic and professional background, experience, and research interests.
  2. 2
    Prepare a personal statement (minimum one page) explaining why you are applying and describing the threats or risks you face.
  3. 3
    Secure a minimum of three reference letters.
  4. 4
    Submit the completed application materials to IIE-SRF by email at srf@iie.org.

Program timeline

  1. Rolling

    Applications accepted at any time throughout the year.

  2. Quarterly

    Selection Committees review applications and award decisions are issued at least quarterly (emergency decisions possible).

  3. 26 April 2026

    Cutoff for the June 2026 Selection Committee.

  4. 26 July 2026

    Cutoff for the September 2026 Selection Committee.