Gentilissimi,

siamo lieti di condividere l’invito  ad un webinar dedicato all'introduzione dello Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) dell'Institute of International Education.

IIE-SRF fornisce borse di studio per studiosi affermati le cui vite e lavoro sono minacciati nei loro paesi d'origine e collabora con istituti di istruzione superiore che ospitano questi studiosi per posizioni accademiche di un anno, anche attraverso meccanismi di cofinanziamento.

Informazioni più dettagliate sono disponibili sul sito di IIE-SRF, nella sezione FAQ page e nel riepilogo del programma e del pacchetto di borse in coda alla mail.

Il webinar, organizzato dalla rete SAR Scholars at risk – Italia di cui Università di Pisa aderisce sin dalla sua costituzione, si terrà il 28 April 2023 (15.00-16.00 CET).

Per partecipare è necessario registrarsi, entro il 27 Aprile, al seguente link https://unipd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkcuiprz0tGtJLwCyjgM7KoUnEwPvpOvbP

 

 

Un cordiale saluto

Francesca

 

 

Francesca Bianchini, PhD

International Cooperation Unit

 

 

 

Dear SAR Italy members 

it is a pleasure to invite you to a webinar dedicated to introducing the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF). IIE-SRF provides fellowships for established scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries, and partners with higher education institutions who host these scholars for one-year academic positions. We at the University of Padova have collaborated with IIE-SRF since 2017, and had the opportunity to value the collaboration, based on sharing of experience, support in identifying scholars in need of protection and co-funding mechanisms. To date, IIE-SRF has worked with more than 150 European institutions, including 7 in Italy. Recently, they established a European office and are interested in expanding their service and support to universities in the region, including through co-funding mechanisms. 

Emily Borzcik will meet the SAR Italy network in an online meeting on April 28, 2023 (15.00-16.00 CET). We shall learn about IIE-SRF and its ways of operating and we shall also share the hosting experience at SPGI Department in Padova. To participate, please register (by April 27) at: https://unipd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkcuiprz0tGtJLwCyjgM7KoUnEwPvpOvbP

You are all welcome to join the webinar, and we warmly invite you to share this invite with the Departments at your university, as well as with administrative staff both at central and departmental level. As the collaboration implies very practical aspects, this webinar can be a great opportunity to learn the what, and how to in view of more extended and better hospitality of at-risk scholars 

In advance of the webinar, you can read more about IIE-SRF on their website. The FAQ page provides a lot of helpful information. In addition, the below summary of the program and the fellowship package may be helpful.

Speriamo di vedervi numerose/i

Claudia Padovani, per il Coordinamento di SAR Italia

 

The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is the only global program that arranges, funds, and supports fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at higher education institutions worldwide. IIE-SRF selects outstanding professors, researchers, and public intellectuals for fellowship support and arranges yearlong visiting academic positions with partnering higher education institutions.

Since 2002, IIE-SRF has assisted more than 1,000 scholars from 62 countries, placing them in temporary positions at over 450 host partner institutions in 55 countries.

The IIE-SRF Fellowship Package

IIE-SRF fellowships are typically renewable for a second and final year. The full package includes:

• ·       A fellowship award of up to $25,000. IIE-SRF sends the fellowship award to the host institution to be disbursed to the scholar as salary/stipend for a one-year period. IIE-SRF operates as a matching-grant model, and the host institution is asked to provide an equal amount of funding in salary/stipend support or other direct benefits, such as housing.
• ·       A stipend for relocation. IIE-SRF provides a stipend to all scholars who relocate for their fellowship. Scholars relocating internationally receive $5,000, while scholars relocating within a country receive $2,000.
• ·       Funding for language training and professional development activities. Many IIE-SRF fellows are eligible for up to $1,500 to enroll in relevant language courses and up to $2,000 in reimbursement for permitted professional development activities.
• ·       An individual health insurance plan. IIE-SRF fellows may choose to be enrolled in an individual health insurance plan for the duration of their appointment.
• Beyond the financial components, IIE-SRF aims to provide both the fellow and the host institution with as much support as possible during the fellowship period to help ensure a successful appointment. The IIE-SRF team will remain in contact with the host institution throughout the fellowship period and is available to offer advice or assistance as needed.

 

Host Institution Responsibilities

All IIE-SRF fellowship appointments depend on the generosity and commitment of invaluable partners at universities and other higher learning institutions. While each fellow and each appointment are different, IIE-SRF hosts typically offer the following support:

• ·     Arrange a yearlong visiting academic position for an IIE-SRF fellow, provide academic and professional resources, and assign an academic supervisor/mentor who will help facilitate the fellow’s integration into the hosting academic department and encourage professional development. Examples of academic and professional resources may include access to host institution facilities and libraries, academic networking opportunities, support for publishing, and inclusion in departmental and cross-departmental activities.
• ·       Provide funding to match the IIE-SRF fellowship award.
• ·       Arrange for the appropriate visa, residency, and/or work permit and assist the fellow in navigating the immigration process.
• ·       Provide necessary assistance with personal and professional logistics such as housing, insurance, etc.
• ·       Receive the IIE-SRF funding and disburse it in full to the IIE-SRF fellow over the course of the appointment, withholding any taxes as required.
• ·       Sign a hosting agreement (provided by IIE-SRF) outlining the terms of the appointment and the responsibilities and contributions of IIE-SRF and the host institution. Complete midterm and end-of-fellowship reports when requested by IIE-SRF.