This section of the Refugee Resource Hub aims to collect and share information about funding opportunities available to U.S. higher education institutions in support of refugee and resettlement-related programs. Currently, funding opportunities exist at the federal, state, and local government level, as well as through innovation grants, and public and private funds. Funding ranges from support to enrolling refugee students, to building inclusive campuses and providing direct services for refugees. Additional information on these opportunities is available below.
Please note that this section will be continuously updated as new information about funding opportunities becomes available.
ORR offers funding opportunities to current and new service providers for its refugee program. Through ORR funding, a network of vetted organizations nationwide can help eligible arrivals transition to life in the United States.
ORR periodically seeks public and private non-profit organizations, such as higher education institutions, to submit applications for the Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) program. Through the RCP program, ORR enables refugees and other eligible populations to achieve self-sufficiency by obtaining the means to secure professional or skilled employment, drawing upon previously acquired knowledge, skills, and experience. The next call for applications is estimated to launch in April 2024.
ORR seeks public and private non-profit organizations to submit applications for the Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development (RFCCMED) program. Through RFCCMED, grant recipients provide refugee participants with training and technical assistance in professional child care, microenterprise development, and financial literacy; assist refugee participants in navigating the child care licensing process; and provide direct financial assistance to enable participants to prepare their homes for child care business operation. The next call for applications is estimated to launch in April 2024.
Other funding opportunities relevant to higher education institutions:
Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) seeks to mobilize colleges and universities to host refugees and support them in their resettlement. Funding of up to $10,000 will be made available to colleges and universities that plan to host newcomers in the next year (2023-2024) in ways aligned with ECAR’s mission and best practices and can officially join the ECAR network by signing the ECAR Licensing Agreement. In addition to funding, institutions that join the ECAR network enjoy these benefits. Applications are typically considered on a rolling basis, and the application portal remains open until all available funds are allocated. The application portal and additional information are available here.
Established in 1919 with the founding premise that international exchange could make the world a more interconnected place, IIE has specialized in the international exchange of people and ideas. Global scholarships are of paramount importance and IIE manages many of the world’s most prestigious ones. Through a wide variety of educational programs sponsored by the U.S. government, corporations, foundations and foreign governments, we annually work with thousands of U.S. and international educational institutions and more than 29,000 students, scholars, and professionals around the globe. Here are two of the scholarships available to displaced students through IIE
The Odyssey scholarship provides multiple awards to U.S. community and technical colleges, typically beginning on or around September to provide scholarships to support certain recently arrived student enrollment and degree completion.The IIE Odyssey Scholarship offers a comprehensive package for students pursuing four-year bachelor’s degrees or two-year master’s degrees, for a period of up to 24 months. The goal of this scholarship is to enable students to learn, grow, and prosper so that one day they may return home and be catalysts for change. More information is provided in the yearly announcement and call for applications, when available. If you have any questions, please reach out to: odyssey@iie.org
Additional refugee-focus scholarships may be found on IIE’s website here.
The UN Agency for Refugees, provides a platform to help displaced students identify accredited higher education academic or scholarship programmes verified by UNHCR, around the world, to allow you to pursue advanced study, skills and professional development. You can browse the various opportunities here.
