New Fellowships, Mentorship, and Professional Development Initiatives
Pictured above, a panel of IIE-SRF alumni working in private industry, state government, and non-profits share their experience with the audience. Clockwise from top left: IIE-SRF Director James R. King, with alumni Dr. Tewodros Tesfamichael of Ethiopia, Dr. Dmitry Lapotko of Belarus, and Dr. Seyed Masoud Noori of Iran.
As conflict and crises continue to disrupt the work of scholars around the world, the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is helping threatened and displaced scholars to continue their research, teaching, and intellectual leadership.
This summer, IIE-SRF expanded that support through a new round of fellowships and new opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and networking designed to help scholars sustain and advance their careers over the long-term.
At its 111th meeting, the IIE-SRF Selection Committee awarded fellowships to 13 scholars from Cameroon, Iran, Myanmar, Palestine, Russia, and Sudan. Their fields range from public health to biophysics. IIE-SRF awards new fellowships quarterly.
For nearly 25 years, IIE-SRF has protected individual scholars and their families and safeguarded the scientific expertise, research capacity, and intellectual capital they contribute to their fields and communities. Since 2002, IIE-SRF has awarded more than 2,000 fellowships to threatened and displaced scholars, supporting them at host institutions in more than 60 countries across six continents.
Newly awarded IIE-SRF fellow Dr. Murtada Ahmed Mohammed Oshi, from Sudan, plans to advance his research in pharmaceutics and prepare for a future return home.
My long-term aspiration is not to leave Sudan forever, but to survive for its sake. My country is being hollowed out, and when the time for reconstruction arrives, it will need its experts more than ever. It will need researchers who have kept their skills sharp and their research current to rebuild the universities and train the next generation of pharmacists.”
Dr. Murtada Ahmed Mohammed Oshi, Sudanese pharmaceutics scholar and newly awarded IIE-SRF fellow
New Mentorship Initiative for Displaced Academics (MIDA)
Many IIE-SRF fellows specialize in science, technology, engineering, health, and other research-intensive disciplines, where professional networks and international collaboration are essential to advancing research and building careers. When scholars are forced to leave their home institutions, these connections are disrupted.
The displacement of scholars represents a loss for the individuals affected, for global scientific capacity, and therefore for society at large. By strengthening structured mentorship and academic integration pathways, we aim to ensure that scientific knowledge, expertise, and talent are preserved and reconnected to the global research system, even in times of crisis.”
Salvatore Aricò, Chief Executive Officer, International Science Council
To help address this challenge, IIE-SRF launched the Mentorship Initiative for Displaced Academics (MIDA) in partnership with the International Science Council (ISC), a global organization that brings together scientific institutions and researchers from around the world.
Through MIDA, IIE-SRF fellows will be paired with experienced mentors drawn from the ISC’s expansive global network of researchers and academic leaders. These relationships will complement the support fellows receive from their host institutions by helping them to navigate new academic environments, expand international research networks, identify funding and collaboration opportunities, and plan for long-term career growth.
Fellows will also participate in professional development workshops and networking activities focused on topics such as grant writing, career development, and research leadership.
By helping scholars maintain research momentum, broaden their professional networks, and access new collaborative opportunities, MIDA reinforces IIE-SRF’s broader mission of preserving global scientific capacity.
During their fellowships, IIE-SRF fellows are asked to adapt quickly to diverse global academic contexts, and we know they benefit from multiple points of contact to ease this transition and maximize their opportunities. MIDA will help fill this gap. The ISC, with its truly global network of outstanding scientists and a demonstrated commitment to promoting freedom and responsibility in science, is exceptonally positioned to lead this initiative. We commend the ISC for its leadership in developing this unique, practical support for displaced scholars.”
Emily Borzcik, Europe Director, IIE Scholar Rescue Fund
New Career Development Lab
Mentorship is only part of the support scholars need to rebuild their careers after displacement. This summer, IIE-SRF partnered with New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine of the National Academies and the Global Young Academy (GYA) to organize a three-day virtual Career Development Lab for fellows and alumni in North America.
The event brought together more than 50 current fellows and recent alumni representing 14 countries, along with nearly 40 expert speakers across more than a dozen sessions. Notably, 14 IIE-SRF alumni returned as speakers, sharing lessons from their own academic and professional journeys after displacement. Their participation reflected another important dimension of IIE-SRF’s impact: scholars who once received support are now helping others navigate similar challenges.
Sessions explored the responsible use of artificial intelligence, academic publishing, research funding, leadership development, and career pathways both within and beyond academia. Participants highlighted the opportunity to explore career options, strengthen professional skills, and connect with peers and mentors.
“Too often, displaced scholars are viewed solely through the lens of vulnerability. I believe we must also recognize them as innovators, educators, and scientific leaders. Leaving their talent untapped would be a real loss to the world,” said Dr. Saja Al Zoubi, co-lead of the North America Chapter of GYA’s At-Risk Scholars Initiative, who initially proposed the workshop idea to IIE-SRF and New Voices.
Strengthening a Global Community
These new opportunities are strengthened by the growing IIE-SRF Alliance, which surpassed 1,000 members this summer. The milestone reflects IIE-SRF’s expanding global network of universities, scholarly associations, scientific organizations, and individual supporters committed to helping threatened and displaced scholars continue their work.
Individuals, institutions, and organizations can join the IIE-SRF Alliance. Alliance partners receive regular updates from IIE-SRF regarding scholars in need of academic appointments or support services, as well as other information about how to get involved in supporting threatened and displaced scholars. Learn more about joining the Alliance.