The Artist Protection Fund is an initiative of the Institute of International Education, sponsored by the Mellon and Ford Foundations. It awards grants to threatened artists from any field of practice, and places them at host institutions in safe countries where they can continue their work and plan for their futures.

The program welcomes inquiries from institutions around the world interested in hosting threatened artists. Hosts can be academic institutions, arts residencies, cultural centers, performing arts organizations, or artistic communities. Hosts will be required to match the fellowship support financially or through in-kind contributions that may include housing, studio space, materials/supplies, and other support from their networks.

Artists from any country and artistic discipline may qualify. Applications are reviewed for artistic merit, the quality/potential of the applicant’s work, and the severity of the threats that the applicant faces.