Resources for at-risk individuals from Afghanistan
Scholars at Risk remains very concerned about recent events in Afghanistan, and our global network is seeking to assist as many scholars and practitioners at risk as possible. SAR is unable to assist students or others who are not professors, research scholars, or advocates/ leaders at a recognized civil society organization. We hope the external resources listed below may be useful sources of information for students, and for those seeking pathways out of Afghanistan. SAR will add additional resources to this list as they become available. Kindly note that any general inaccuracies or outdated deadlines referenced within each of the listed resources are not SAR’s responsibility.
Fellowship Opportunities
Resources for Human Rights Defenders
Resources for Students
Visa and Transit Resources
Digital Security Resources
Fellowship Opportunities
University of Johannesburg – Postdoctoral Research Fellowships: [South Africa]: Offers 200 postdoctoral research fellowships for scholars during the 2022-2023 academic year. (Deadline: rolling until all positions are filled)
Resources for Human Rights Defenders
The Afghanistan Human Rights Coordination Mechanism: The mechanism seeks to assess the needs of Afghan human rights defenders and channel support to them, coordinate and share information among those responding to the crisis, and bring together Afghan and international voices to advocate for full respect for the human rights of all in Afghanistan. For more information or assistance please contact: info@
Resources for Students
Afghan Talent, powered by Talent Beyond Boundaries: An initiative to catalog the skills and work experience of Afghan evacuees in the USA to help facilitate local employment.
Hanns Seidel Scholarship Program: HSF’s flagship project Hanns Seidel Scholarship Program (HSSP): Support for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan aims to strengthen regional stability in Pakistan-Afghanistan through extensive education: by providing long-term support to young, talented students from Afghanistan who are registered as refugees in Pakistan and enrolled in Pakistani universities. (Deadline: rolling)
President’s Alliance Higher Ed Immigration Portal: [USA] Resources for undocumented, other immigrant, international, and refugee students
President’s Alliance Refugee Students: [USA] Data and policies for refugee students and scholars
President’s Alliance Undocumented Tuition Map: [USA] Tuition and financial aid state policies for undocumented students
The Institute of International Education’s Platform for Education in Emergencies Response (IIE PEER): Database of educational opportunities and resources for displaced and refugee students.
The UK University Scholarships Directory: [UK] A list with details of UK universities that provide funding for refugees and/or asylum seekers.
UC Davis’s Article 26 Backpack: A tool to allow scholars and students to upload and secure copies of the academic and professional credentials.
UNHCR: Scholarship opportunities for refugees.
The New University in Exile Consortium Monthly Meeting for Afghan Students: The New University in Exile Consortium invites Afghan undergraduate and graduate students who have been forced to flee Afghanistan and are now enrolled in a new college or university to join our monthly Zoom meeting. The hour long meeting is meant as a virtual space where you can connect and find community with other Afghan students in North America and Europe. If you are interested in joining the meeting please write to us at UIEConsortium@newschool.edu
Qatar Afghan Scholarship Project: In order to create a long-term solution for displaced and vulnerable Afghan students, QASP was founded, in coalition with other international NGOS, to offer scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in the U.S.
Visa and Transit Resources
Information on visas and pathways out of Afghanistan: [USA] Application for eligible Afghans under the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and other pathways for Afghans at risk
Human Rights First: [USA] Those seeking legal assistance in the United States (whether physically in the US or abroad) can complete this form to submit a request for pro bono support through HRF’s Project: Afghan Legal Assistance.
Justice for Immigrants: [USA] Summary of visas and pathways to the United States for Afghan nationals.
Refugee Council USA: [USA] Resources on immigration, evacuation support, digital security, and a list of visas and their descriptions.
USCIS: [USA] Information for Afghan nationals on parole into the United States, including steps to take when you arrive in the country.
International Catholic Migration Commission: [Canada, UK, USA] Summary information on visas and pathways for those relocating to the Canada, the UK and the USA.
UNHCR: [Iran] For new arrivals in Iran
UNHCR: [Pakistan] For new arrivals in Pakistan
Evacuation and Asylum Resources:
Tim Kaine, United States Senator from Virginia: [USA] Evacuation and immigration support
Alex Padilla, United States Senator for California: [USA] Evacuation and immigration support
George W. Bush Presidential Center: [USA] Afghanistan Relief and Resources
Evacuate Our Allies: A coalition of organizations working to evacuate and support the resettlement of at-risk Afghans.
SHARP: [Pakistan] Registration and information or refugees in Pakistan
Digital Security Resources
Access Now: Digital security tips
Human Rights First: Protecting digital privacy
LinkedIn Safety Guidelines: Available in English, Pashto, and Dari
Last updated: 31 March 2023