How much does relocation cost?
Funding is likely to be required for accommodation, living costs, health insurance, travel, visas, and wellbeing support, as well as for staff to manage the programme. There may also be programme costs, for example external training courses and support for advocacy and networking.
Some programmes choose to provide financial support for participants’ family members and / or other dependants, either by increasing a participant’s monthly stipend to support them at home or by covering the costs of relocating family members with the defender.
Some estimates of direct costs are provided below (these costs were provided in 2024 and are exclusive of staff costs):
University of Ottawa - 12 months - CAD $70,000 / USD $51,500
Fellows are offered a stipend of $70,000 (Canadian dollars) to cover all their costs and are free to allocate this sum as they please. In addition, the University funds:
Mandatory work permit costs and labour market impact assessment (<$800)
A laptop if required
Welcome package (winter clothes, modest household items if unable to rent furnished accommodation, etc.)
Travel to Canada and costs incurred in securing a visa are covered by institutions involved in arranging the hosting agreement, like Scholars at Risk or the Scholars Rescue Fund. In-kind support is also provided and can include access and training to use library resources, IT services, language courses in English or French, and desk space.
