The 2026-27 Scholars at Risk (SAR) Academic Freedom Fellowships are open for applications until May 29, 2026 (midnight, New York time). This remote fellowship supports early-career researchers working on academic freedom and related higher education values. Over 10 months, fellows will complete a proposed project, join monthly online workshops, and produce a significant final output.
The program is offered by Scholars at Risk. In addition, it provides a stipend of USD ~$8,000. Up to 12 fellowships are available in total, with up to 6 per track.
Application Deadline: May 29, 2026 (midnight, New York time)
Eligible Countries: Not specified – please see official page
Program Duration: 10 months (September 2026 – June 2027)
Program Location: Remote
Funding/Benefits: USD ~$8,000 stipend
Award Provider: Scholars at Risk
About this Program
The Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Fellowships support research focused on academic freedom and related values in higher education. Fellows carry out an approved project during the fellowship period. They also engage with a cohort through monthly remote workshops and webinars.
The fellowship includes two tracks. Track 1 focuses on global academic freedom issues and gives preference to comparative, international, or collaborative research, including single-country issues outside the United States. Meanwhile, Track 2 focuses on academic freedom issues within the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have received a PhD within the last 8 years.
- In limited cases, doctoral candidates in the final stages of dissertation completion may be considered.
- Applicants must have a current research or teaching affiliation with a higher education institution, association, or research organization.
- Applicants should show demonstrated interest in teaching, researching, or publishing on academic freedom or related higher education values.
- For Track 1, preference is given to comparative, international, or collaborative research on global, comparative, or single-country issues excluding the US.
- For Track 2, the work should focus on academic freedom issues within the United States.
- Applicants must commit to monthly remote workshops and webinars from September 2026 to June 2027.
- Applicants must be able to lawfully receive stipend funds and complete program requirements in their current country of location.
- Applicants are responsible for any local tax or reporting requirements.
- Current or formerly at-risk researchers are highly encouraged to apply.
- Candidates in or from the Global South and/or from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
What Fellows Receive: USD ~$8,000 stipend intended to cover research expenses, publication, or other costs; monthly remote workshops; exposure to SAR programming; networking with SAR partner-experts.
Program Components
• Complete the proposed project
• Participate in monthly remote workshops/webinars from September 2026 to June 2027
• Produce a significant end product such as a formal publication, new course, or workshop
• Contribute to exploring a collaborative joint output with the cohort
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a single PDF application package. The required materials include:
- Abstract (max 250-500 words)
- Research plan and timeline (max 2 pages)
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Contact information of two professional references
The application link provided is: Apply here.
However, applicants should review the official page carefully before submitting.
👉 Visit the Application Webpage for Details
