Scholars can apply by sending the required application materials to us directly at srf@iie.org. In cases where a scholar is unable to submit the application, a third party may send the materials on their behalf.

The required application materials include:

1. Application Coversheet
2. Current CV or resume. Please be sure your CV includes 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, etc.) including full citations with the name of publication, authors, 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, etc.).
3. Academic statement. Please provide a thorough statement detailing your academic and professional background and experience, including a thorough description of your academic research interests. Please be sure to include a description of the activities that you have undertaken in your academic positions as well as an explanation of the activities (research, teaching, publishing, etc.) you would undertake during a fellowship. Your academic statement should be a minimum of one page.
4. Personal statement. Please provide a thorough statement explaining why you are applying to IIE-SRF for support. Include a clear and detailed account of the threats or risks that you have been facing and the reasons that you cannot continue your work in your home country at this time. Your personal statement should be a minimum of one page.
5. Reference letters. IIE-SRF requires a minimum of three (3) reference letters that contain the elements listed below. In some cases, additional letters may be requested. Letters from colleagues both inside and outside of your home country are preferred. Please note that IIE-SRF requires original reference letters. Letters should not use identical text, and each referee should speak to their specific 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.
   1. Two (2) academic/professional letters of reference from academic or professional colleagues who can speak in detail to your research, publications, teaching, or other academic experience. When appropriate, letters should describe your unique expertise and contributions to specific intellectual issues or questions.
   2. Two (2) personal letters of reference from colleagues or other persons who are aware of your circumstances and can describe the threats that you have been facing.
6. A copy of your Ph.D. or highest degree.
7. Samples of your most current research publications.
8. If you have already secured a commitment from a university or other institution to host your fellowship, please provide a letter from the host indicating their intent to host, if you are awarded. Please note that this is not a requirement.

To begin assessing an application, IIE-SRF must receive the application coversheet, a current CV, academic statement, and personal statement. The remaining materials may be sent at a later time.

Please note that all application materials submitted to IIE-SRF must be original and unique to an applicant’s particular academic background and circumstances. IIE-SRF will not accept academic or personal statements that share identical language with the statements of other applicants to IIE-SRF. Any language or background information borrowed from the internet or other outside source should be cited to credit the original source.

Please submit all application materials via email to srf@iie.org. If you do not have access to email, you may send your materials via fax or post.

Address:

Scholar Rescue Fund
Institute of International Education
One World Trade Center, 36th Floor
New York, New York 10007
USA

Fax: +1-212-205-6425

Deadlines

The IIE-SRF Selection Committee meets to consider applications and award fellowships on a quarterly basis. Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year, though IIE-SRF will establish quarterly deadlines by which a scholar must apply to be considered for a specific selection meeting.

Application deadline for September 2021 selection meeting: July 12, 2021.

Application Review

IIE-SRF conducts a thorough review of each applicant’s application materials to assess their experience, the quality of scholarly work, and the nature and urgency of the threat in the applicant’s home country. In doing so, IIE-SRF may contact the applicant’s references and/or other sources, such as independent experts on the applicant’s academic field, country of origin, or the particulars of the reported threat. (IIE-SRF will never share Identifying information about an applicant without their permission.)

In many cases, IIE-SRF will follow up with an applicant directly for additional information about their academic work and/or their situation in their home country, in order to gain a full understanding of their scholarly background, individual circumstances, and need for the IIE-SRF fellowship.

Because of high demand for IIE-SRF assistance, the program is not able to grant fellowship support to all applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

Baden-Württemberg Fund for Persecuted Scholars

Applicants interested in the Baden-Württemberg Fund for Persecuted Scholars should indicate their interest in their application materials.  In the application review process, IIE-SRF will assess each applicant’s eligibility for the Baden-Württemberg Fund for Persecuted Scholars and will engage each eligible candidate on a case-by-case basis to determine (a) the applicant’s interest in the program and (b) the likelihood of a nomination to the Baden-Württemberg Fund Selection Committee. Preference will be given to applicants who are referred to the program by institutions of higher learning in the state of Baden-Württemberg or who have existing ties to Baden-Württemberg and/or Germany.

Please visit our Frequent Questions page for additional information.