In addition to a visiting academic fellowship grant and health insurance coverage, Scholar Rescue Fund Iraqi grantees are able to apply for several fellowship award-associated benefits. A grantee is eligible to apply for these benefits once he/she commences the fellowship on a host campus. Scholars may continue to apply for these benefits as program alumni, provided that they remain in good standing with SRF and that funding is available. An overview of the award-associated benefits is below.

In accordance with IIE accounting policies, funding is provided as reimbursement only and will be processed upon receiving the required documentation. Below are guidelines outlining the documentation required to receive payment. Without this documentation, SRF cannot provide reimbursement or payment. In most cases, funding is also contingent on sponsor approval.

Language Training
Iraqi grantees are eligible to take group courses at English language or other key language institutes. Grantees will be reimbursed for courses pending approval from SRF staff and submission of appropriate receipts. For scholars based in Amman, Jordan, please contact SRF MENA Manager Celine Taminian to enroll in courses. All scholars-- whether in Jordan or elsewhere-- may receive SRF support for no more than 5 classes, or for a maximum of $1,875.  

Required Documentation*

1. A brief description of the course and the name of the institution offering the course
2. Receipts demonstrating payment for the English language course and any materials
3. Upon completion of the course, documentation from the institution which shows that the scholar has successfully completed the course

Conference Attendance
SRF has funding available for scholars to attend and/or present research at academic conferences. Contingent on final approval from SRF staff, scholars may receive up to the following amounts as reimbursement per conference, providing that the conference is relevant to the scholar’s current academic work:

• Up to $1,500 for registration fees AND travel-related expenses if attending a conference but NOT presenting work; OR
• Up to $2,500 for registration fees AND travel-related expenses if attending a conference AND presenting work (poster, research paper, etc.).

Scholars may apply for funding to attend multiple conferences, even if they have received conference reimbursement in the past. As resources are limited, a formal application is required for each conference. Scholars may not receive more than a total of $5,000 for conference reimbursement in a calendar year (January through December).

Required Documentation

1. SRF Conference Attendance Application- must be submitted prior to attending the conference*
2. SRF Conference Reimbursement Form, with explanations of expenses in English
3. Receipts for all expenses, including accommodation, travel, meals, etc.

*If traveling internationally to attend a conference, scholars must submit the SRF Conference Attendance Application at least 12 weeks prior to the conference in order to receive approval for international travel. In addition, all international air travel must comply with the Fly America Act in order for SRF to reimburse for flights.

Support for Publications
Scholars who have documented expenses for the publication of books or papers in scientific/academic journals are eligible to receive up to $750 per calendar year as reimbursement for relevant costs, provided that the published material is original and of a high academic standard.  Funding may be used to support multiple publications. Note that SRF will only accept reimbursement requests for new materials that have been published within 12 months of the request.

Required Documentation

1. SRF Request for Publication Support form, to be reviewed/approved by program staff
2. Receipt demonstrating payment to publisher*
3. A copy of the final published material

*SRF will not pay the publisher directly. Scholars must pay the publisher and SRF will reimburse scholars.

Academic Association Memberships
Scholars are entitled to a maximum of $500 to support membership fees for academic associations. Reimbursement for academic memberships will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Required Documentation

1. Receipt proving payment for membership in an academic association.
2. Documentation showing that the scholar has been enrolled as a member in the association.

Journal Subscriptions
Scholars wishing to subscribe to an academic/scientific journal in their field of study are each eligible for up to $300 towards this cost.

Required Documentation

1. Receipt proving payment for academic journal subscription

Repatriation Travel to Iraq
Scholars who wish to return to Iraq after completing the SRF fellowship are eligible to request a repatriation travel grant to assist with the cost of travel back to Iraq. If approved, scholars will be provided with one-way transportation to a destination point inside Iraq (including Northern Iraq-Kurdistan). Transportation will be funded for SRF grantees and their dependents, including one spouse and any children under the age of 21 at the time of travel. Unless otherwise stated by staff, all travel will be arranged through IIE’s travel agency and paid for directly by SRF. Scholars will not be reimbursed for tickets they purchase on their own for this purpose. In order to take advantage of this benefit, scholars must indicate their intent to return to Iraq and request repatriation assistance at least 4-6 weeks prior to the intended travel date to Iraq.

Required Documentation

1. Written confirmation from the scholar expressing intent to return to Iraq, on the SRF End of Fellowship report and/or via email to SRF staff
2. After return to Iraq, a scanned copy of the boarding pass for the scholar and boarding passes of any accompanying dependents (if travelling by air) OR a scanned copy of the passport stamp showing that the scholar re-entered the country

Additional Opportunity for Scholars Who Have Returned to Iraq
SRF will offer additional funding for short-term training and academic tours to Iraqi scholar-grantees who have completed their fellowships at host institutions and resumed their academic work in Iraq. Grants may be used to assist scholars who have returned to Iraq by offering lecturing opportunities, academic workshops, and research opportunities in Iraq as well as assist these scholars to participate in short to mid-term professional trainings outside Iraq. The goal is to enhance scholars’ academic skills and offer knowledge-sharing opportunities for scholar-grantees and students and colleagues in Iraq.

Returnee Training and Academic Tours
Scholars may apply for small to mid-sized grants, depending on the length and scope of the academic training/tour. The grant will cover any registration or tuition fees associated with a professional training and transportation allowances. The majority of these grants will be arranged by SRF staff in coordination with scholars and Iraqi universities. Scholars may apply for funding for multiple trainings/tours, but grants are awarded on a competitive basis. With each application, scholars must present a detailed plan on how they intend to share knowledge and resources with their Iraqi students and colleagues upon return from the training/tour.

Required Documentation

1. Returnee Training and Academic Tours grant application form
2. An official offer from the institution or training organization confirming the scholar’s engagement in a lecture-tour or a training course at a university or with a training organization
3. Receipts for any expenses