Scholars Under Threat
Since 2016, Global Cornell has led campus and community support for international scholars, students, and human rights defenders whose work puts them at risk in their home countries.
Global Cornell works closely with the International Institute of Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) to provide sanctuary for scholars at risk of persecution in their home countries. Cornell offers these scholars the opportunity to continue their research and teaching in a welcoming, safe, and supportive scholarly community as they pursue a more permanent situation for themselves and their families. We also work with IIE's Artist Protection Fund (IIE-APF) to offer refuge for threatened artists.
Scholars: Learn how to apply for the program.
Lifting up one student will eventually lift up a family and a community. Cornell is doing what it can to help students find a pathway to a degree and a successful career. Similarly, scholars find a welcoming academic community and opportunities to teach and learn with breathing room to burnish a resume and seek longer-term employment and a secure future.
— Nishi Dhupa, Associate Vice Provost of International Affairs
Two Modes of Support
Campus Hosting
Cornell's work with scholars under threat has brought dozens of students and scholars to campus, including undergraduate and graduate students, academics, writers, journalists, and artists from seven countries. For scholars, a placement at Cornell provides an opportunity to engage in an intellectual and supportive community, collaborate on research, and teach students. For students, we offer access to higher education that is not available in the situations from which they are fleeing.
The Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies and academic departments across campus host visitors during their time at Cornell. Einaudi and campus partners provide a welcoming intellectual community, collaborators and connections, and opportunities to build a sustainable career in the United States.
Meet Scholars Hosted at Cornell
Virtual Hosting
In 2023, Cornell pioneered the Virtual Scholars Under Threat program with IIE-SRF, creating a new model for supporting threatened scholars through regional placements. The program enables scholars to remain near their home regions through a fellowship co-hosted by a regional institution and Cornell.
For scholars, virtual hosting provides an opportunity to continue their research, teaching, and professional development while maintaining connections to family, cultural networks, and professional opportunities in their region. Through Cornell faculty collaborators and academic partners, scholars engage in research, participate in intellectual exchange, and build international networks that help sustain their careers during periods of disruption.
Supporting Threatened Scholars Through Regional Placements
Broad-Reaching Partnerships
By partnering with international scholar rescue organizations and local and campus partners, Global Cornell can provide visitors with a safe refuge and welcoming community, professional and educational opportunities, and resources to gain their footing and look ahead.
— Wendy Wolford, Vice Provost of International Affairs
Cornell's global and local partner organizations include:
- IIE-SRF and IIE-APF
- Open Society University Network’s Threatened Scholars Integration Initiative
- Ithaca City of Asylum, an all-volunteer project of the Center for Transformative Action
- Ithaca Welcomes Refugees
ONWARDS
Opportunity Network for At-Risk Writers, Artists, Rights Defenders, and Scholars (ONWARDS) is a collaborative effort by civil society groups to support scholars under threat living in the U.S. by providing professional development resources and guidance. This project is locally coordinated by Ithaca City of Asylum and funded by Cornell's Scholars Under Threat initiative, part of Global Cornell.
Connect with their upcoming events and recorded workshops.
From Cameroon to Ukraine, threatened scholars are finding ways to keep teaching and researching through Cornell‑supported virtual fellowships anchored closer to home.
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“Although Afghanistan is situated in a high seismic zone, its vulnerability to earthquakes is affected by other factors,” Noor Ahmad Akhundzadah, a visiting scholar with the South Asia Program.
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Khadija Monis ’25 spoke at a graduation celebration dinner that brought together our Afghan students and people on campus who supported the women since they arrived in December 2021.
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Our “scholars under threat” initiative offered extensive support to help nine women get acclimated and to succeed at Cornell after escaping the Taliban.
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Support Us
Many scholars under threat may never return home and need support for research collaborations, new teaching methods, and career opportunities in the U.S. They also require assistance with housing, clothing, and education for their families. Students often need help with tuition, English language skills, academic writing, study skills, cultural adaptation, and essential services like housing, healthcare, and financial navigation.
The SUT initiative is primarily funded by the generosity of donors. To support us, please give a gift today or contact Nishi Dhupa by email or at +1-607-255-8935.