Scholars Equity Network, Inc.

This Privacy Policy is edited by Scholars Equity Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization having its registered office at 8 The Green #14887, Dover, DE 19901, United States (hereafter, the “Data Controller”).

The Data Controller offers a platform and mobile application known as the Scholars Equity Network (SEN) App (hereafter, the “Platform” or “App”) to its users which have subscribed on the Platform and as such have a user account (hereafter, the “Users”). The Platform is available at the following URL/address: https://scholarsequity.network. The Data Controller uses a solution called “Hivebrite” or a similar platform to enable the import and export of user lists and data, the management of content and events, the organization of emailing campaigns and opportunity research and sharing as well as the management of funds and contributions of any kind (hereafter, the “Platform Tools”). In this regard, the Data Controller collects and processes Users’ personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy and the applicable data protection laws.

The Data Controller is particularly aware and sensitive with regards to the respect of its Users' privacy and personal data protection. The Data Controller commits to ensure the compliance of the processing it carries out as data controller in accordance with the applicable Data Protection Laws (as enforceable in the United States, including privacy laws applicable to nonprofits and, where applicable, state privacy laws).

1. Scope and Definitions

Scope: This Privacy Policy governs how the Data Controller collects, uses, stores, and discloses Personal Data from Users of the SEN App.

Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.

Data Controller: The entity determining the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Data.

Data Processor: A third party that processes Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller (e.g., Hivebrite or similar platform).

Services: Access and use of the SEN App, including related features such as profile management, event participation, messaging, fundraising, and analytics.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of Personal Data:

Account Information: email address, username, password (stored securely), profile photo, preferred language, time zone.

Profile and Professional Information: name, institution, role, department, research interests, bio, contact information provided by you.

Usage Data: log data, device information (e.g., device type, operating system, browser, IP address), app version, pages visited, features used, time stamps.

Communication Data: messages exchanged within the App, inquiries, feedback, support tickets.

Event and Community Data:registrations for events, participation history, contributions, donations, grants, volunteer activity.

Payment Data (if applicable): billing information, transaction history, payment method details (handled by third-party payment processors in a compliant manner).

Location Data (with consent): approximate location when enabled by you to support location-based features (e.g., events nearby).

Cookies and Tracking Technologies: information collected via cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy.

3. How We Collect Personal Data

Direct Interactions:when you create an account, update profile, participate in events, send messages, or contact support.

Automated Technologies:through your use of the App (log data, device data, analytics).

Third-Party Sources:if applicable, from partners or integrations (subject to your consent and legal allowances).

4. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use Personal Data for purposes including, but not limited to:

Providing, maintaining, and improving the SEN App and Platform Tools.

Managing user accounts, authentication, and access control.

Communicating with Users (support, updates, notices, newsletters) with consent where required.

Facilitating events, collaborations, and opportunity research.

Processing donations, grants, or other contributions (where applicable).

Personalizing content and recommendations within the Platform.

Analyzing usage to improve features and user experience.

Ensuring security, detecting fraud, and enforcing our terms.

Complying with legal obligations and resolving disputes.

5. Legal Bases for Processing (where applicable)

In the United States, we rely on applicable federal and state privacy laws and, where required, consent or contractual necessity for processing. Where processing is regulated by specific statutes (e.g., California Consumer Privacy Act/CPRA for applicable individuals), we will rely on the corresponding lawful basis.

Your consent for activities requiring it (where applicable).

The necessity to perform a contract or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract.

Compliance with legal obligations.

Legitimate interests in maintaining the Platform, preventing fraud, and improving services, balanced against your rights and interests.

6. Sharing and Disclosure of Personal Data

We may share your Personal Data with:

Service Providers/Processors: Hivebrite and other third-party service providers acting on our behalf (e.g., hosting, analytics, email delivery, payment processing). They process data only as instructed and subject to confidentiality.

Affiliates and Partners: for platform operations, events, or collaborative initiatives, where you have consented or where such sharing is necessary to provide the Service.

Legal Compliance: when required by law, regulation, or legal process; to protect safety, rights, or property; or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our assets.

Public Visibility: certain information you choose to make public within the Platform (e.g., public profile sections, event listings), as you control via your privacy settings.

We do not sell Personal Data to third parties for commercial gain.

7. International Transfers

Some personal data may be stored or processed outside the United States. We implement appropriate safeguards and mechanisms required by applicable law to protect data transferred internationally.

8. Retention of Personal Data

We retain Personal Data for as long as necessary to provide the Platform and fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Specific retention periods may vary by data type and are determined based on legal obligations, business needs, and the nature of the data.

9. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding your Personal Data:

Access to your data and information about how it is processed.

Correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

Deletion of your data (the right to be forgotten) where permissible.

Restriction of processing under certain circumstances.

Objection to processing or to direct marketing.

Data portability (receiving a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format).

Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your jurisdiction.

To exercise your rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond in accordance with applicable law and notify you of any action taken.

10. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate and improve the App, remember your preferences, analyze usage, and serve personalized content. Details are provided in our Cookie Policy, which is incorporated by reference into this Privacy Policy.

11. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect Personal Data from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no security measure is perfect, and you should help by keeping your account credentials secure and reporting any security concerns promptly.

12. Children’s Privacy

The SEN App is not intended for children under the age of 16 (or the applicable minimum age in your jurisdiction). If you become aware that a child has provided Personal Data to us without parental consent, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps to remove the information.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify Users of material changes and, where required by law, obtain your consent. The updated policy will be posted on the Platform, and the “Last updated” date will reflect the changes.

14. How to Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

Data Controller: Scholars Equity Network

Address: 8 The Green #14887, Dover, DE 19901, United States