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Home / Programmes / At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) Programme

Through this programme, the RSC invites candidacies for membership from academics and artists who have been displaced through war, conflicts or threats of violence and who, prior to their displacement, were engaged in innovative and entrepreneurial activity, demonstrating a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and responsibility to communities, and who were making meaningful contributions to society.

The programme supports these individuals in three direct ways:

  1. Membership. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for membership in the RSC. Each year, the RSC will elect up to three individuals from this group to the Fellowship, and up to two individuals from this group to the College. Those elected will be full RSC Members: a lifetime appointment for Fellowship and a seven-year term for the College.
  2. Mentorship. RSC Members (both Fellows and College Members) will serve as mentors to successful applicants as well as other eligible candidates. Mentors will be assigned from the candidate’s institution, or one nearby. It is the aim that candidates be matched with mentors in the same discipline or related field when possible.
  3. Workshops. All eligible candidates will be invited to an annual ARDAA Practical Skills Workshop. The workshop will give candidates the opportunity to learn about the RSC and about navigating academia in Canada. Workshop participants will be encouraged to apply for RSC Membership.

For questions about the ARDAA programme, please contact the RSC at ardaa@rsc-src.ca.
The deadline for applications for 2026 is February 25, 2026.

 

ARDAA Fellowship Candidates

  • At the time of application, applicants must normally be formally affiliated with one of the Royal Society of Canada’s Institutional Members;
  • Applicants must have entered Canada through an arrangement with either Scholars At Risk or Scholar Rescue Fund (or similar organization) and must be prepared to provide documentation;
  • Applicants must possess a PhD or terminal degree as appropriate for their discipline;
  • Applicants must be able to communicate in French and/or English (the official languages of Canada and the Royal Society of Canada);
  • Applicants must be willing to participate in an interview should their application be shortlisted.
  • Must be currently resident in Canada and be either not a permanent resident or have been a permanent resident for no more than 3 years. 
  • Must be nominated by either a Fellow or an IM (no self-nominations).

Components of a Dossier (RSC Fellowship)

  1. Letter from the nominator, who must be a Fellow or Institutional Member (completed by the nominator)
  2. Two letters of reference from people other than the nominator who are experts and who can speak to the candidate’s scholarship. It is strongly recommended that at least one letter be from a Canada-based referee. (completed by the referees)
  3. Nomination form (completed by the candidate)
  4. The candidate’s CV

Fellowship Nomination Form > 

 

ARDAA College Candidates

  • At the time of application, applicants must normally be formally affiliated with one of the Royal Society of Canada’s Institutional Members;
  • Applicants must have entered Canada through an arrangement with either Scholars At Risk or Scholar Rescue Fund (or similar organization) and must be prepared to provide documentation;
  • Applicants must possess a PhD or terminal degree as appropriate for their discipline;
  • Applicants must be able to communicate in French and/or English (the official languages of Canada and the Royal Society of Canada);
  • Applicants must be willing to participate in an interview should their application be shortlisted.
  • Must not have received permanent residency status in Canada at the time of application.
  • Prior to displacement must be no more than 15 years from the conferral of the PhD or equivalent qualification. The RSC will consider an exemption period of up to five years for those who have had a career interruption for the purpose of maternity, childrearing, illness, or health-related family responsibilities. Where there are questions of equivalence eligibility, the RSC Secretary shall provide the conclusive determination on behalf of the RSC Council;
  • may self-nominate

Components of a Dossier (RSC College)

  1. Application form (completed by the candidate)
  2. The candidate’s CV

College Application Form > 


RSC’s ARDAA Programme | Cracking Canadian Academia Workshop 

As part of the At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) programme that supports displaced academics, the RSC is holding a workshop in spring 2026 in Ottawa. The workshop will: 1) help prepare participants to meet the expectations of academic life in Canada; 2) support participants to learn about locating opportunities inside and outside of academia; and 3) build a network to support participants’ professional development beyond the workshop.

The workshop is offered in-person. Space is limited and registration is required. To register please contact Russel MacDonald at ardaa@rsc-src.ca.