Launched in 2023 as a two-year pilot, the Global MIT At-Risk Fellows Program (GMAF) gives international scholars the opportunity to temporarily engage with the MIT community on campus, with the aim to foster innovation around the world through the fellows’ academic contributions and leadership.
GMAF is designed to enhance the educational and research experiences of international faculty and researchers by introducing them to MIT campus methods and strategies in their areas of specialty. The GMAF pilot program, which initially focused on Ukrainian faculty, is expanding to bring Palestinian scholars to MIT.
Each scholar spends a semester on campus, conducting research and scholarship designed to benefit their region, while simultaneously building academic relationships and enriching the MIT community. Fellows are paired with an MIT faculty advisor in their field, who acts as collaborator and academic mentor.
As described by the Vice Provost for International Activities Duane Boning, “the GMAF program is a practical way for MIT to contribute to solving the world’s most challenging problems. Our vision is for the fellows to come to MIT for a hands-on, experiential joint learning and research experience that develops the tools necessary to support the redevelopment of their regions. By steeping the fellows in MIT’s culture, we hope to equip them with knowledge and relationships they can leverage in rebuilding, and to help build a better world through global collaborations.”
GMAF Palestine
This extended pilot program is open to Palestinian scholars currently in Palestine or recently displaced from Palestine.
GMAF Ukraine
This pilot program focuses on Ukrainian scholars with current or recent affiliations at Ukrainian universities or the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.
Our vision is for the fellows to come to MIT for a hands-on, experiential joint learning and research experience that develops the tools necessary to support the redevelopment of their regions.
Duane Boning, Vice Provost for International Activities