Each academic year, the University of Chicago Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program, part of the international SAR network, provides temporary appointments for up to two scholars who are suffering acute threats to their lives, liberty, and well-being. SAR appointments give scholars and their dependents a safe temporary home, while also helping them explore more permanent career options. SAR was founded at UChicago in 1999 as part of its Human Rights Program and is now based at NYU.

Getting Involved

 The key components of an SAR appointment are:

  • An eligible scholar whose professional skills match the needs and interests of the UChicago community (Eligibility FAQ);
  • A host faculty member who nominates the scholar, welcomes them to campus, helps develop and implement their professional plan, and connects them to communities and resources across UChicago and Hyde Park (Nomination FAQ and Hosting FAQ);
  • A host department or School that contributes in substantial measure to the scholar’s financial support, handles their hiring, provides them with appropriate work space, helps them secure housing, and develops their teaching and research agenda (Hosting FAQ).

The host faculty member and department or School work together to help scholars with logistical matters like visa and travel arrangements, healthcare, housing and furniture, bank accounts, and education options for dependents. 

If you are a faculty member interested in nominating or hosting a scholar: 

FAQ - Eligibility and Benefits

Who qualifies as a scholar?

For the purpose of UChicago Scholars at Risk, “scholar” means an individual who would qualify for an academic appointment at the University of Chicago who is facing grave threats to their life, liberty, or well-being. Typically, scholars will be directly and specifically targeted by a government or by non-governmental actors, and there will be no location in their home country where they could work under mitigated threat.

What factors does the application committee consider?

The SAR committee screens applicants to make sure they meet all program requirements. It also considers the scholar’s expertise and its relationship to current UChicago needs, the strength of the scholar’s academic and professional plan, and the eagerness of current faculty to collaborate with them. Applications that pass this screening are sent to the Provost’s office.

What benefits do scholars receive?

Scholars receive an academic appointment, a salary and benefits (including health insurance), professional counseling about their future academic career, and help navigating logistical issues like visas, housing, and life in Chicago.

How long do scholars’ appointments last?

The typical SAR appointment lasts one year, with a possible renewal for an additional year. 

Can United States citizens or permanent residents apply?

No.

FAQ - Nominations

Who can submit SAR nominations?

 Any UChicago faculty member with a non-visiting appointment.

When are nominations due?

The committee accepts nominations on an ongoing basis. There are a limited number of SAR slots available each year, and appointments are often made as soon as is feasible.

What if I want to be a faculty host, but do not have a specific scholar in mind?

Review this list kept by the Scholars at Risk network. If you are interested in pursuing a nomination, email scholarsatrisk@uchicago.edu for guidance.

I'm ready to nominate. What are my first steps?

Compile as much relevant information as possible using this checklist, then email scholarsatrisk@uchicago.edu to begin the application process or seek additional guidance. Make sure the scholar also sends an application to the central Scholars at Risk network to increase their chances of support.

FAQ - Hosting

What is the faculty host’s role?

In addition to nominating the scholar, the faculty host – an member of the UChicago statutory faculty – helps the scholar develop their professional plan, welcomes them to campus, provides mentorship after their arrival, introduces them to people and resources across campus and beyond, and serves as the scholar’s first point of contact. 

To learn more about hosting, consult the official SAR hosting guide.

What is the host department or School's role?

The host Division or School's responsibilities include:

  • Approving the scholar’s faculty appointment;
  • Providing financial support (see What is the cost to a department of hosting a scholar?);
  • Helping the scholar with visa and travel logistics, housing and furniture, local banking, and dependent education;
  • Supplying the scholar with appropriate workspace;
  • Facilitating the scholar’s professional development, including their navigation of the academic job market.

What is the cost to a department of hosting a scholar?

UChicago SAR can provide up to $64,000 per appointment year. The more financial support that a host unit offers (and the less they rely on UChicago SAR’s contribution), the more likely a nomination is to be successful. Local unit funding makes it possible for UChicago SAR money to go further, and for more scholars to be hosted by our community.

Extra funding – typically up to $25,000 – may in certain cases be available from the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund. Host units should reach out to the fund as early as possible in the application process.

Nomination Checklist

Prepare as much of the following information as possible before contacting scholarsatrisk@uchicago.edu.

  1. CV of scholar. If their current location and nationality is not evident from CV, please supply this information separately.
  2. Department, school, or other University unit. The appropriate Dean should be consulted early, as their endorsement and recommendation of the academic appointment is required.
  3. Faculty host for scholar (the scholar’s main point of contact during their period at UChicago).
  4. Has an office or other appropriate workspace been secured?
  5. What will the scholar’s contribution be to the unit?  If their language ability is not strong enough for teaching, what other role might they play?
  6. Is there any department, School, or Divisional support?
  7. Over what period of time will the scholar be hosted?
  8. Has the scholar also applied to the central Scholars at Risk program?
  9. Has the scholar applied, or do they plan to apply, to the Scholars Rescue Fund? This application is also available online.

Resources for Scholars and Hosts

Remember: If you are a scholar with a question/need, your first point of contact should always be your host faculty member. If you are a host who needs help meeting a scholar’s need, email scholarsatrisk@uchicago.edu.

Resources from the Scholars at Risk Network

UChicago Resources

Community Resources

 

Alternative Support Opportunities for Persecuted Scholars

Program Details