- Can I nominate myself? No. Only permanent faculty members and campus units willing to host at the University of Illinois can nominate and select a scholar at risk for the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program. That said, scholars at risk who are interested in the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program can complete and submit the Expression of Interest Form. The Illinois Scholars at Risk Committee will review the form and reach out to you for follow up and next steps. Scholars at risk seeking placement through the ISAR Program are strongly encouraged to contact the Scholars at Risk (SAR) and apply for the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund to maximize their opportunities for successful placement.
- Does the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program accept scholars from any country? Yes. The Illinois Scholars at Risk Program accepts department applications to host scholars at risk from any country. That said, citizens or permanent residents of the United States may not apply for the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program.
- What is the application deadline? Departments and academic units at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that wish to host a scholar at risk are encouraged to complete and submit the Expression of Interest Form for hosting a scholar at risk in 2024-2025 by January 31, 2024.
- Will all nominators and/or applicants be notified? Yes, all applicants will be notified by email, unless another means of communication has been requested.
- Are the information about scholars at risk included in department applications kept confidential? Yes. All applications are confidential; information is viewed only by the Office of the Provost, the Illinois Scholars at Risk Committee, and the department or faculty member with whom the scholar may be placed.
- Who chooses the ISAR Program fellows? Selections are made by the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program Committee, which comprises faculty members from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- If offered an Illinois Scholars at Risk Program Fellowship, can I defer the fellowship for one year? Fellowships will not be deferred or reserved for scholars at risk who decline the fellowship, elect not to come, or are unable to come.