Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund in the United States, 2019

Institute of International Education (IIE) is pleased to announce The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund in the United States 2019. This scholarship is available to the applicants who have a Ph.D. or highest degree in their field and/or have extensive teaching or research experience at a university, college, or other institution of higher learning.

These year-long fellowships support temporary academic positions at institutions of higher learning anywhere in the world where IIE-SRF fellows can continue their work in safety. The award includes a grant of up to US$25,000, along with individual health insurance.

The Institute of International Education is a 501 organization which focuses on International Student Exchange and Aid, Foreign Affairs, and International Peace and Security.

Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund in the United States, 2019

  • Applications Deadline: January 27, 2019.
  • Course Level: The scholarship is open to pursuing a research degree program.
  • Study Subject: The scholarship will be awarded in any academic field, or discipline.
  • Scholarship Award: The IIE-SRF fellowship award includes a grant of up to US$25,000, along with individual health insurance, 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 of another source (s).

To be eligible, the applicants must be following all the given criteria:

  • Eligible Countries: Scholarships are available to students from all around the world.
  • Entrance Requirements: Professors, senior researchers, and public intellectuals from any country, academic field, or discipline may qualify. Applications are reviewed for academic qualifications, the quality/potential of the applicant’s work, and the severity of the threats that the applicant faces. Preference is given to scholars who:
    • are facing or have recently fled from immediate, severe, and targeted threats to their lives and/or careers in their home countries or countries of residence;
    • hold a Ph.D. or highest degree in their field and/or who have extensive teaching or research experience at a university, college, or other institution of higher learning;
    • demonstrate superior academic accomplishment and promise;
    • 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.
  • Note that applicants who lack valid travel documents may still apply for the IIE-SRF fellowship, although IIE-SRF is unable to assist these individuals in leaving their home countries.
  • Also note that IIE-SRF does not grant fellowships to students seeking to continue their studies, including Ph.D. study, or to complete an academic training program.
  • In addition, IIE-SRF typically does not consider applications from individuals who have been displaced or in exile for more than two years, or who hold citizenship or another permanent status in a second country.
  • Applicants interested in the Baden-Württemberg Fund for Persecuted Scholars must meet the IIE-SRF eligibility criteria.
  • Because of the high demand for IIE-SRF assistance, the program is not able to grant fellowship support to all applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

The required application materials include:

  • Application coversheet
  • Current CV or resume. include 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) including full citations with the name of publication, the 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).
  • Academic statement
  • Personal statement.
  • 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. When appropriate, letters should describe your unique expertise and/or contributions to specific intellectual issues/questions.
  • 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.
    [IIE-SRF requires a minimum of three (3) reference letters. (Four are generally recommended.) Letters from colleagues both inside and outside of your home country are preferred. note that IIE-SRF requires original reference letters.
  • Letters should not use identical text. Each referee should speak to his/her particular 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.]
  • A copy of your Ph.D. or higher degree
  • Samples of your most current writing or research publications.
  • A letter from an accredited institution of higher learning that may be able to host your fellowship. This is not a requirement.

How to Apply: To apply for the scholarship submit all application materials via email (preferred), fax, or post. Letters may be addressed to
Scholar Rescue Fund, Institute of International Education, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, New York 10017-3580, USA

Scholarship Link