International Faculty & Scholars is the primary administrative unit on campus providing services to visiting international professors and research scholars participating in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. IFS works closely with UA departments to assist with the administrative processes involved in bringing international scholars and researchers to campus.
Scholar Rescue Fund History
Founded in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is a private non-profit leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. In collaboration with governments, foundations and other sponsors, IIE creates programs of study and training for students, educators, and professionals from all sectors. These programs include the flagship Fulbright Program and Gilman Scholarships administered for the U.S. Department of State. IIE also conducts policy research, provides resources on international exchange opportunities, and offers support to scholars in danger.
What part does UA play?
IIE provides a valuable program for international scholars in the US who face persecution in their home countries due to the nature of their research. The University of Arizona has been honored to host one of these distinguished scholars in the past and would like to remind the research community of this program. The work of these scholars greatly enriches research collaboration on campus and beyond. Around the world, scholars have long suffered harassment, torture, and persecution as a result of their work. In the worst cases, scholars pay with their lives for their dedication to scholarship and freedom of thought. IIE, an independent non-profit, has participated in the rescue of persecuted scholars since its founding in 1919. In 2002, IIE launched the Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) as a formalized response to this ongoing international dilemma.
Who Benefits?
The Scholar Rescue Fund provides fellowships for established scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries. These fellowships permit professors, researchers and other senior academics to find temporary refuge at universities and colleges anywhere in the world, enabling them to pursue their academic work and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community at large. During the fellowship, conditions in a scholar’s home country may improve, permitting a safe return to help rebuild universities and societies ravaged by fear, conflict, and repression. If a safe return is not possible, the scholar may use the fellowship period to identify a long-term opportunity.
Fellowships support visiting academic positions ranging from three months to one calendar year with the possibility of a second-year renewal. Awards are issued for up to US $25,000, plus individual health insurance coverage. Fellowships are disbursed through host academic institutions for direct support of scholar-grantees. In most cases, host campuses are asked to match the SRF fellowship award by providing partial salary/stipend support and/or housing, material support for researching/publications, and other in-kind assistance.
As a world-class research institution, we strive to bring the best talent to collaborate with our faculty. The International Faculty & Scholars office (IFS) is pleased to share this opportunity with The University of Arizona community. More information regarding this program is available by contacting Ian Wilson at iwilson@arizona.edu.
Call for Applications
The Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is pleased to announce a call for applications from scholars facing threats to their lives or academic work. Fellowships support temporary academic positions at colleges, universities, and other research institutions outside their home countries anywhere in the world.
Since IIE-SRF's founding in 2002, the program has provided academic fellowships to over 500 scholars from 50 countries, placing them at nearly 300 host partner institutions in 40 countries.
Who can apply:
Professors, researchers, and public intellectuals from any country, field, or discipline may apply. Please refer eligible candidates and forward this announcement to any academic colleagues who may be interested.
- Qualifying applicants are currently facing or have recently fled from direct and immediate threats.
- Preference is given to scholars with a Ph.D. or other terminal degree in their field and who have extensive teaching or research experience at a university, college, or other institution of higher learning.
- Women and scholars from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Students or professionals seeking funding to pursue academic studies or training are not eligible.
Information on eligibility and criteria can be found here.
To apply:
Please download the application materials from: http://www.scholarrescuefund.org/scholars (outreach messages are available in Arabic, French, Persian, and Spanish)
To nominate a threatened scholar:
Please contact SRF@iie.org to refer or nominate a threatened scholar in need of assistance.
How IIE's Scholar Rescue Fund works: IIE-SRF fellowships support visiting academic positions for up to one calendar year. Awards are issued for up to US $25,000, plus individual health insurance coverage and professional development assistance.
Fellowships are disbursed through dedicated host academic institutions, which provide direct support and a safe haven for IIE-SRF fellows. In most cases, hosts are asked to match the IIE-SRF fellowship award by providing salary / stipend support and other in-kind assistance that would make the scholar's appointment comparable to other visiting academic positions.