Catastrophic Events
In times of crisis, MIT pulls together in support of one another and of those most deeply affected. Here you will find resources for the Institute community and guidance for engaging scholars and students beyond our campus.
The Institute has a long history of responding to humanitarian crises resulting from natural disasters, military conflicts and other catastrophes by offering resources and support to affected members of the MIT community and those that support them. Academic, financial and other resources are available to individuals directly affected by the events.
Resources for staff, faculty, and postdocs
A list of support resources for students is available at DoingWell, with questions welcome at doingwell@mit.edu.
MyLife Services
A free, confidential network of experts available to MIT faculty, staff, postdocs, and their families.
Emergency hardship funds
Provide financial assistance to staff and postdocs experiencing an immediate and temporary hardship.
International Scholars Office
Provides information and support to international scholars and their families.
MIT Postdoctoral Services
Provides support and advice to the postdoctoral research community.
Virtual learning
MIT and its partners offer a number of resources for virtual learners affected by a crisis.
edX
Offers 4,000+ online courses from 230+ partners, with courses available to audit for free.
MIT Open Learning Library
Offers free MIT online courses.
Full STEAM Ahead
Provides free online K-12 resources for hands-on STEM activities.
MIT ReACT
Offers global education programs for underserved communities, including refugees, migrants, and economically disadvantaged populations.
OpenCourseWare
Offers a free and open collection of materials from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.
Connected Learning in Crisis Consortium
Promotes, coordinates, collaborates, and supports the provision of quality higher education in contexts of conflict, crisis, and displacement through connected learning.
Prospective students
Prospective undergraduate students
Prospective undergraduate students may apply through the standard first-year or transfer applications.
Prospective graduate students
Graduate students, both applicants and transfer students, can contact the appropriate department or a faculty member working in their field of interest.
Visiting students
Students who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution of higher education other than MIT and have been invited by an MIT department or laboratory/center to do research in their fields of study may apply for Visiting Student status. Visiting students are not eligible to enroll in classes, and do not stay longer than a year.
Scholars at Risk
MIT is a member of Scholars at Risk (SAR), an organization that arranges temporary research and teaching placements at academic institutions in the network for scholars suffering threats to their lives, liberty, and well-being. Scholars at risk coming to MIT must have an MIT sponsor (PI or faculty member). If you are interested in sponsoring a scholar, please contact Adriana Ramirez at the Office of the Associate Provost for International Activities.
Giving
Support the MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT), an Institute-wide effort to develop global education programs that target the needs of underserved communities, including refugees, migrants, and economically disadvantaged populations.
Education is the best tool to help underserved learners achieve their goals, giving them a democratic platform to leverage their talents, access a professional career, and create positive change in their lives and communities. Developed by MIT faculty and staff, MIT ReACT’s programs follow an agile approach to continuous education. They combine classroom instruction, online learning, and practical experience to help students gain advanced competencies in key areas, such as computer and data science, statistics, and innovation, as well as creative and critical thinking. By providing personal and digital academic support and connecting participants to paid internships, ReACT’s learning model aims to help learners from underserved communities everywhere advance academic and professional careers
Your gifts to MIT ReACT will ensure we can continue to offer free and open programs to more deserving learners globally and have a lasting impact in global refugee education. To learn more about how your gift can support ReACT or to make a donation contact react@mit.edu.
Sign up as an internship host for a ReACT learner
Contact
Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcomed by the Domestic Or Global Catastrophic Event team at dorgce@mit.edu.