Applying for a fellowship:

Does it matter which country I am from?

Do I have to work in a specific discipline or academic field to qualify for a fellowship?

What is a qualifying threat?

Any threat of persecution or violence on account of your scholarship, identity or beliefs would qualify. This includes intimidation, harassment, repression, censorship, unjust punishment and violence arising out of your work, and/or your exercise of fundamental human rights.

Does the risk have to be related to your work?

Not always. In many cases, scholars and academics are targeted because of their work—the content of their teaching, research or writing triggers threats and often violent reprisals. But academics also are targeted because they are prominent members of their community. These “exemplar” attacks on scholars are an efficient means of chilling scholarly activity in the entire community.

What about general threats like war? Do the threats have to be targeted?

General insecurity and instability affecting the whole population of a country or region indiscriminately will not normally qualify as a threat, although SRF may elect to make a limited number of awards in such circumstances to highlight the impact of such insecurity, instability or other cause on scholarly communities and academic freedoms.

What type of academic training or experience is required?

Academics, researchers, and independent scholars may qualify. In most cases, a graduate degree will be required before a fellowship is awarded. Preference is given to scholars with a Ph.D. or other highest degree in their field; who have been employed in scholarly activities at a university, college or other institution of higher learning during the last 4 years (excluding any period of suspension, ban or prohibition); and whose selection is likely to benefit the scholarly community in the home and/or host country or region.

Do students qualify?

Does SRF support graduate or post-graduate study?

SRF generally does not award fellowships for degree-granting programs of study or to scholars whose primary purpose is to continue their graduate or post-graduate training. The primary purpose of SRF is to support established scholars. SRF may on occasion support a scholar in a graduate or post-graduate program of study if the program offers the most advantageous hosting arrangement for a candidate whose primary need is to escape some qualifying risk or threat.

Do I need to have publications?

Although not formally required, the quality and extent of your publication is ordinarily considered an indicator of academic merit to be weighed by the Selection Committee.

Do I have to speak English?

No. Preference will be given to candidates with advanced ability in the language of the host country/institution. Limited awards for pre-fellowship English language training may also be available if needed to ensure the success of the campus-based assignment.

Does my legal or immigration status matter?

No, although candidates must secure legal status or work authorization sufficient to permit awarding of funds prior to the start of the fellowship. SRF staff will work with approved candidates and host institutions to arrange legal status, but under no circumstances will SRF staff provide legal advice to candidates or institutions.

Does my current location matter?

Candidates may apply from any location. Priority is given to candidates still in the area of threat or risk who face immediate, physical dangers.

If I am currently living in exile, will my case qualify?

Yes. Candidates in exile may be removed from immediate physical danger but frequently continue to suffer the effects of the conduct that forced their relocation. Such effects include legal barriers to residence, travel and work; isolation and separation from family and support-networks; related medical and trauma issues; language and cultural barriers; difficulty accessing new academic communities, etc. Because SRF seeks not only to save lives but to save scholars—that is to save scholarly voices and ideas—it may award fellowships to assist exiled scholars return to productive capacity.

Does it matter how long I have been in exile?

Given the limits on available resources for fellowships, priority is given to candidates who have been displaced or in exile for less than three years.

Finding a host institution:

What qualifies as a host institution?

How are host institutions identified?

What are the responsibilities of the host institutions?

More specifically, SRF requires that the host institution provides matched funding for the fellowship. The host institution plays an essential role and offers the following:

• Financial support equal to or greater than the fellowship award. This support generally takes the form of a stipend or other direct funding for the visiting scholar such as housing, airfare and meal programs. In-kind contributions – office space, computers, language or other training fees, etc. – are encouraged for a complete scholar support package;
• University visa sponsorship (generally J-1, visiting scholar visa); and
• Faculty mentoring and staff assistance in adjusting to the university, providing assistance to find suitable housing when possible, and providing access to university facilities and libraries.

How long is the fellowship term?

How does SRF determine the fellowship term?

How are the fellowship awards distributed?

How much is each fellowship award?

What is the purpose of the matching support requirement?

The SRF seeks matching support from host institutions as a means of ensuring host institution commitment to each visiting scholar and to extend the resources of the SRF to allow assistance to more scholars for longer visits.

What counts toward the matching support requirement?

Matching support is generally in the form of a stipend, salary or other direct funding for the candidate. In-kind contributions in the form of housing, maintenance, meal programs, tuition waivers, office space, computers, language or other training fees, etc. may be included in a support package and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Does the location of the potential host institution matter?

The location of any potential host institution has impact on the likelihood of the scholar (i) making a significant academic contribution, (ii) returning to the home country or region, and (iii) continuing as a productive scholar post-fellowship, either by staying on at the institution or securing another scholarly position.

On Fellowship

Who pays travel and airfare expense to bring the scholar to campus?

Who pays the $100 SEVIS fee that is a prerequisite for the J-1 visa application? (Applicable only to U.S. institutions, visa fees in other locations would be treated similarly)

It is up to the host institution how to work with the SEVIS fee.  In some cases the host absorbs the cost; in others it is taken from the scholar’s SRF award.

Can scholars bring their family?

This decision is left entirely up to the scholar; however SRF is not in a position to provide additional funding for support of dependents on fellowship. SRF will inform the host institution if a scholar plans to bring his or her spouse and/or children.

How much is expected for the scholar’s monthly stipend/salary?

SRF suggests that the host institution disburse the fellowship funds in a way that works best for the scholar and the institution (typically evenly disbursed over the course of the fellowship). However we do suggest providing a larger percentage in the first payment if possible to help defray the initial set up costs (which often include a deposit/advance rent for an apartment, renting furniture, and other set up costs). SRF hopes to arrange fellowships where the SRF funds and host matched support will cover all living expenses for a modest, yet comfortable set-up.

Do scholars travel beyond the immediate vicinity of their host college or university?