Scholar Rescue Fund

Around the world, scholars have long suffered harassment, detention, torture, and other forms of persecution as a result of their work. In the worst cases, scholars pay with their lives for their dedication to their academic work and freedom of thought. [The Institute of International Education](https://www.iie.org/) (IIE), an independent not-for-profit organization, has supported opportunities for persecuted scholars since its founding in 1919. In 2002, IIE launched the Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) to formalize its commitment to protecting the lives, voices, and ideas of scholars around the globe. **IIE-SRF is the only global program that arranges, funds, and supports fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at partnering higher education institutions worldwide, including inside their home regions.** IIE-SRF selects outstanding professors, researchers, and public intellectuals for fellowship support and arranges visiting academic positions with partnering institutions of higher learning and research. [Our fellowships](https://www.scholarrescuefund.org/for-scholars/) enable scholars to pursue their academic work in safety and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community. If conditions in the scholars’ home countries improve, scholars may return after their fellowships to make meaningful contributions to their national academies and civil society. If safe return is not possible, scholars may use the fellowship period to identify longer-term opportunities. **Mission** To provide threatened and displaced scholars with opportunities to continue their academic work in safety at higher education institutions outside their home countries. **Vision** By protecting the lives and work of vulnerable scholars, we are preserving the intellectual capital of countries that face war and repression and bringing valuable expertise to hosting communities around the world. **Philosophy** We believe that freedom of scholarship is a fundamental right and is essential to fostering knowledge and progress towards peace, justice, and prosperity in the world.