IIE Scholar Rescue Fund 2026: Fully Supported Fellowships for Threatened Scholars Worldwide
The Institute of International Education Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) offers fellowship support to professors, researchers, and public intellectuals whose lives or academic careers are threatened in their home countries. Recipients receive financial assistance and temporary academic appointments at host institutions in safe locations globally.
Overview
The Institute of International Education Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is a global programme that arranges, funds, and supports fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars. By partnering with higher education and research institutions, the programme protects academic freedom and allows researchers, professors, and public intellectuals to continue teaching, publishing, and conducting research safely. Fellowships typically last between 9 and 12 months, with potential renewal for a second and final year.
Benefits
- A fellowship grant of up to US$30,000 to support a temporary academic appointment.
- Individual health insurance coverage for the fellow.
- Relocation assistance toward moving to the host institution.
- Professional development support, including academic networking, career guidance, and resource access.
- Opportunities for academic visibility, public discussions, and scholarly presentations.
Eligibility
- Open to established professors, researchers, and select public intellectuals from any country and across all academic disciplines.
- Applicants must demonstrate credible, serious threats to their lives, personal safety, or ability to continue their academic work safely.
- Preference is given to scholars holding a PhD or the highest degree in their field, significant teaching or research experience, and an established publication record.
- Generally excludes students seeking to begin or continue degree studies, individuals displaced for more than two years (barring renewed threats), holders of safe second-country citizenship or permanent residency, and applicants who have already completed two years of comparable fellowship support.
How to Apply
Applicants must prepare and submit original materials directly to the programme. To initiate an assessment, the following four primary documents are required:
- A completed official application form.
- A current CV or résumé.
- An academic statement of at least one page detailing research background and proposed activities.
- A personal statement of at least one page outlining the threats faced and the urgency of the situation.
Additional supporting materials, such as reference letters, copies of academic degrees, recent publication samples, and an optional host institution commitment letter, should also be prepared. Completed application packages must be submitted via email to [email protected].
Deadline
While the programme accepts applications on a rolling basis with quarterly selection decisions, applications submitted by October 11, 2026, will be considered for the December 2026 Selection Committee meeting.