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PSSAR acts as a curated bridge between Palestinian scholars and global academic mentors. We facilitate matches between host professors and carefully vetted Palestinian applicants for research-based graduate study. We also coordinate logistics, communication, and follow-up so professors can focus on mentorship and research.
Professors can express interest by contacting us directly. Once registered, we’ll match you with student profiles based on your research focus and availability. You are under no obligation to accept any candidate.
Yes. All referred students are:
PSSAR only refers students to supervisors who can provide (or connect students with) fully funded research positions through grants, fellowships, or departmental support. PSSAR assists with non-academic costs.
We welcome referrals! PSSAR is expanding and looking for mentors across disciplines and institutions. If your department values international solidarity and scholarly excellence, let’s connect. Please reach out to info@pssar.ca
Yes. We also welcome:
The Palestinian Students & Scholars at Risk (PSSAR) Network is a Canadian-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing academic access and dignity for Palestinian students and scholars. Our mission is not to extract talent—but to equip it, connect it, and return it stronger. We partner with Canadian universities and faculty to facilitate research-based graduate placements while helping students remain connected to—and invested in—the future of higher education in Palestine.
PSSAR supports academically strong Palestinian students who:
Yes. PSSAR supports both Master’s and PhD applicants—but only for research-based programs. We do not support course-based or non-thesis programs. Our focus is on building future researchers, educators, and contributors to Palestinian universities.
No. Our programs are currently open only to individuals holding solely Palestinian nationality. Our goal is to support those most affected by barriers to international education.
We welcome applicants from all disciplines. While most of our current placements are in STEM and Social Sciences, we also support students in Arts, Humanities, and interdisciplinary research—depending on available supervisors.
PSSAR is not a funding body. We do not provide scholarships directly. Instead, we act as a coordinator and facilitator, connecting students to funded academic positions through professors and institutions. We may cover limited non-academic expenses like visa or application fees where possible.
Students should be nominated by their university in Palestine. Once nominated, you will receive a unique link to apply through our secure online platform: https://applicants.pssar.ca. Applications must be submitted within 20 days of opportunity notice.
No. We require all applicants to go through a formal nomination process with their university to ensure transparency, institutional alignment, and support.
PSSAR will review your file. If shortlisted, we may match you with a professor whose research aligns with your interests. If the professor expresses interest, you may be invited for an interview and guided through the next steps.
No. Nomination is an important first step, but not a guarantee. Admissions decisions are made by professors and universities. PSSAR’s role is to facilitate the process, not to control outcomes.
All applicants must sign this agreement. It outlines expectations around academic conduct, communication standards, and the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism throughout the application and placement process.
If matched, PSSAR can assist with:
PSSAR encourages all students to maintain strong academic ties with their home institutions. Whether through remote teaching, mentorship, collaborative research, or eventual return, we believe that empowering scholars must go hand-in-hand with uplifting institutions.
Your institution can sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize collaboration. This ensures coordinated nomination processes, academic record validation, and opportunities for faculty and student engagement.
Partner universities are responsible for:
Yes. We encourage Palestinian universities to nominate faculty for virtual research collaborations, mentorship exchanges, and co-publication opportunities with Canadian academics.
PSSAR will notify the university and request a formal nomination letter. We maintain open communication and invite continued involvement in the student’s journey and institutional visibility.
Our model is built on solidarity, not extraction. We encourage students to:
Supporting individual scholars is only one part of our mission—the ultimate goal is to build stronger, more resilient academic institutions in Palestine.
Please reach us at info@pssar.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.
PSSAR provides financial support to students for their airfare and procedural fees like visas and admissions. However, professors are responsible for securing their own funding for student supervision or accommodation. We have a dedicated section on the website for sharing various funding opportunities with professors. Meeting the funding requirements set by the university or the professor-supervisor is crucial for obtaining a visa.
We understand that you might not have sufficient funding to sponsor a student. Please note that there are multiple avenues for you to contribute: spread the word about PSSAR in your networks, support us with a donation, motivate your colleagues and friends to contribute, and discuss this initiative with your institution to inspire the establishment of a scholarship fund for recruiting Palestinian scholars and at-risk students. Any other ideas for contribution are welcome. Please send us an email at info@pssar.ca.
Collaborating with Canadian government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Immigration, efforts are being made to expedite the visa process for students accepted to Canadian universities. Additionally, coordination with the Canadian government is ongoing to implement necessary measures for students in Gaza to depart through the Rafah crossing.
The matchmaking process between professors and potential students has two phases. Initially, a database facilitates communication between students in Gaza and professors in Canada. It includes the names of interested professors and project keywords and is regularly updated and distributed to networks in Gaza and Canada. In the second phase, an online portal will be launched for professors to advertise positions and students to express interest, fostering direct communication.
We support students and scholars in pursuing their academic objectives in Canada's official languages, French and English. Furthermore, our goal is to encourage collaboration with universities throughout Canada, including in Quebec (a French-speaking province) and elsewhere (typically English-speaking regions).
A network of Canadians with ties to Gaza will advertise this opportunity to their friends, relatives, and colleagues in Gaza. Additionally, direct contact with professors in Gaza will be utilized to share this opportunity with their students. Contact has been made with some of these professors, who have expressed willingness and delight to participate in this initiative.
PSSAR is a Canadian-based organization. Its administrative headquarters are based in Quebec, but it operates virtually across the Canadian territory.
Many volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of PSSAR. These volunteers include students from various disciplines, professionals, intellectuals, and academics from Canadian universities across the country. While the majority of PSSAR volunteers are based in Canada, some also reside in the United States and Europe. The efforts of the board and active collaborators guarantee the smooth running of PSSAR's daily operations.
PSSAR is a non-partisan and apolitical organization. Although its members may hold diverse political views and values, the organization is committed to academic solidarity and humanitarian principles. This principle is important to us.
Currently, PSSAR primarily relies on funding from the community. We are also working with partners such as National Zakat Foundation, a recognized charity by Canada Revenue Agency, to create funding campaigns.
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