SAR Placement Fellowship Program

Application Process

Step 1: Eligibility Questionnaire

Complete a short eligibility questionnaire before full application

Questions relate to SAR's eligibility criteria

Eligible applicants will be invited to proceed with full application

Ineligible applicants will be directed to external resource page with alternative opportunities

Step 2: Full Application

Applications are completed online

Note: Applicants cannot save application and return later—must be completed in one session

Application contains 5 sections:

1. Eligibility Questionnaire
2. Personal Information
3. Academic Information
4. Risk Information
5. Attestation

Required Documents (prepare before starting application):
1. Passport or official national ID - copy
2. Updated CV with publications list - must include:
- Highest academic degree (granting institution, field, date awarded)
- Academic employment history at higher education institutions
- Teaching and research experience with dates
- Full publication list with note of work available in English
3. Academic Statement - should address:
- Current focus of research and/or teaching
- Type of academic work desired at host institution
- Skills to gain/improve
- Ability to conduct academic work in English (or other language)
4. Two recent academic publications - publication samples that best represent current academic interests; abstracts/summaries in English acceptable
5. Language test scores - IELTS, TOEFL or other scores from past 5 years; or alternative language confirmation (degree obtained in language, link to academic presentation)
6. Letters of recommendation - if available; written within last 12 months describing academic and/or professional accomplishments
7. Risk statement - describing:
- Direct, targeted risk experienced personally (specific dates, locations, media verification)
- Targeting due to group/institutional membership
- Risk due to current conflict in home country
- Risk due to academic work or academic status
8. Risk corroboration - documentation of reported risk to verify

Section 2: Personal Information

Basic contact information

Communication preferences

Dependent information (names, ages)

Legal status in other countries (visa, residence, asylum)

Countries willing to travel to for placement

Note any prior contact with SAR member institution

Section 3: Academic Information

Upload CV with degree and employment information

Submit Academic Statement

Upload 2 recent academic publications/work samples

Submit language test scores or language confirmation

Provide letters of recommendation (if available)

Section 4: Risk Information

Indicate type(s) of risk faced (multiple selections allowed)

Submit risk statement with:

- Specific information, dates, locations
- Applicable media links for verification
- Details on targeting

Submit risk corroboration documentation

Section 5: Attestation

Complete attestation section

AI Use Disclosure:

SAR discourages use of generative AI (ChatGPT, etc.) in application, particularly in "Academic Statement" and "Risk Statement"

If AI is used, applicants must include acknowledgment in Academic Statement specifying:

- Type of AI tool used
- Parts of application where AI was used
- Willingness to provide non-AI materials if requested

Suspected undisclosed AI use may result in unsuccessful application

Review Timeline:

Assessment process can be lengthy

Securing placement can take several months for accepted cases

Decisions will be shared after review

Alternative Resources:

SAR maintains a list of fellowships and other opportunities for scholars who do not meet eligibility criteria

External resources available for students seeking scholarship support

Resources available for human rights defenders seeking emergency assistance