"Scholars at Risk is a program that would not exist if the world were a better place. But in a dark time it is absolutely necessary. More than fifty years ago, a small number of enlightened educational institutions struggled to provide protection to scholars threatened by Nazi persecution. A comparable struggle, based on the solidarity and compassion of scholars is once again incumbent upon us." - Stephen Greenblatt, Professor and Co-Chair of the Harvard chapter of Scholars at Risk

The solidarity of American universities towards scholars facing persecution has been critically important at various junctures in world history. Today the threats to academic freedom are more varied and geographically dispersed but no less intense.

The University offers several scholars at risk fellowships each year. The scholar’s risk may be related to the individual’s work, but it may also be a consequence of the scholar’s ethnicity, religion, or political opinions. Scholars from any discipline represented at Harvard are eligible. The purpose of the fellowships is to enable scholars whose lives have been disrupted to pursue their research interests and to benefit from the scholarly environment that Harvard can provide.

If you are a staff member, faculty member or a student at Harvard, and you know or have heard of someone who might benefit from this program, please consider nominating them. The nomination deadline for scholars to spend the 2010 - 2011 academic year on campus has passed.  Mid year nominations will be considered in emergency cases. Nomination forms are available here.