1. Harvard University – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Harvard University(USA) offers visiting scholar opportunities across various disciplines, including business, law, medicine, and the humanities. The program allows independent researchers to collaborate with faculty members and access Harvard’s extensive resources.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent research experience.
• Must be affiliated with an academic or research institution.
• Requires a Harvard faculty sponsor who will oversee the research.

Duration:

• Typically, one year, with possible extensions.

Funding:

• Harvard does not provide funding. Scholars must secure independent funding through external fellowships or institutional support.

Application Process:

1. Find a Faculty Sponsor – Scholars must directly contact Harvard faculty members to request sponsorship.
2. Prepare Documents – Required documents include:
   • A detailed research proposal.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
   • Proof of external funding.
   • Letter of sponsorship from a Harvard faculty member.
3. Submit Application – Applications are typically reviewed by the hosting department.

Harvard Visiting Scholars

2. Stanford University(USA)  – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Stanford University’s Visiting Scholar Program welcomes experienced researchers, enabling them to collaborate with faculty across various departments.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent.
• Independent researchers or faculty members at other institutions can apply.
• Must have a faculty sponsor from Stanford.

Duration:

• 6 months to 1 year, renewable.

Funding:

• No direct financial support; scholars must provide proof of external or institutional funding.

Application Process:(USA) 

1. Secure a Faculty Sponsor – Identify a professor at Stanford willing to host your research.
2. Gather Documentation:
   • CV
   • Research Proposal
   • Proof of Funding
3. Department Review – Applications must be approved by the hosting department before final approval.

Stanford Visiting Scholars

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (USA) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

MIT provides visiting scholar opportunities for experts in engineering, sciences, humanities, and economics.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience.
• Requires an MIT faculty member to act as a sponsor.
• Strong research record in the field of interest.

Duration:

• 6 months to 1 year, with some extensions possible.

Funding:

• MIT does not fund visiting scholars; external grants or employer sponsorship is required.

Application Process:

1. Contact MIT faculty for sponsorship.
2. Submit research proposal and CV.
3. Approval by the MIT department.

MIT Visiting Scholars

4. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) (USA) – Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA)

Overview:

UC Berkeley offers opportunities for scholars across humanities, sciences, and technology disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent.
• A UC Berkeley faculty sponsor is required.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years, depending on the research project.

Funding:

• No internal funding provided.

Application Process:

1. Secure a faculty sponsor.
2. Submit:
   • Research Proposal
   • CV
   • Funding Proof
3. Departmental review and approval.

UC Berkeley VSPA

5. University of Chicago – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

The University of Chicago provides visiting scholar positions in law, business, social sciences, and STEM fields.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent.
• Faculty sponsorship required.

Duration:

• Flexible, from 3 months to 1 year.

Funding:

• No funding provided; external support required.

Application Process:

1. Contact faculty.
2. Submit application with CV and funding proof.

6. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (USA) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Caltech supports scholars focusing on physics, engineering, and applied sciences.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Advanced degree required.
• Sponsorship from a Caltech faculty member.

Duration:

• 6 months to 1 year.

Funding:

• Self-funded or externally supported.

Application Process:

1. Obtain faculty sponsorship.
2. Submit research proposal, CV, and funding proof.

Caltech Visiting Scholars

7. Columbia University (USA) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Columbia welcomes scholars across political science, economics, humanities, and STEM.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or relevant professional experience.
• Faculty sponsorship required.

Duration:

• Up to 1 year.

Funding:

• No funding from Columbia.

Application Process:

1. Faculty sponsorship required.
2. Submit an application with a research statement and CV.

Columbia Visiting Scholars

8. Princeton University – Visiting Fellows & Scholars

Overview:

Princeton’s visiting scholar program is open to researchers across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. It allows scholars to access university resources, participate in academic discussions, and collaborate with faculty.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience.
• Must have a faculty sponsor from Princeton.
• Scholars should be engaged in research aligned with Princeton’s academic priorities.

Duration:

• 3 months to 1 year, with possible extensions upon departmental approval.

Funding:

• Princeton does not provide funding for visiting scholars.
• Applicants must secure external funding (institutional or government-sponsored).
• Some departments offer limited fellowships.

Application Process:

1. Find a Faculty Sponsor – Scholars must contact a Princeton professor in their field and obtain sponsorship.
2. Prepare Documentation:
   • Research proposal.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
   • Proof of financial support.
   • Letter of sponsorship from the Princeton faculty.
3. Submit the Application – Applications are reviewed at the departmental level.

9. Yale University(USA)  – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

Yale offers a competitive visiting scholar program that allows independent researchers, faculty members, and postdocs to engage in research and academic collaborations.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or significant research experience.
• A Yale faculty sponsor is required.
• Must be affiliated with a research institution or university.

Duration:

• Typically one academic year, with some shorter-term opportunities.

Funding:

• No direct financial support from Yale.
• External funding (home institution, government grants, fellowships) is necessary.

Application Process:

1. Secure Faculty Sponsorship – Contact Yale faculty and obtain an invitation.
2. Prepare Documentation:
   • CV
   • Statement of research interest
   • Proof of funding
3. Departmental Review & Approval – Yale’s Office of International Affairs and the host department review applications.

Yale Visiting Scholars

10. University of Pennsylvania (Penn) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Penn’s visiting scholar program provides researchers access to Penn’s libraries, research centers, and faculty collaboration opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent.
• Faculty sponsor from Penn is required.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years, depending on the research project.

Funding:

• Penn does not provide financial aid for visiting scholars.
• Scholars must have personal, institutional, or grant funding.

Application Process:

1. Identify and secure a faculty sponsor.
2. Submit:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Proof of financial support
3. Departmental review and approval.

Penn Visiting Scholars

11. Johns Hopkins University (USA) – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

Johns Hopkins offers short-term and long-term visiting scholar positions, particularly in medicine, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or professional research experience.
• Faculty sponsorship from Johns Hopkins is required.

Duration:

• 3 months to 1 year, renewable upon department approval.

Funding:

• No direct funding available.
• External or institutional funding is required.

Application Process:

1. Secure a faculty sponsor from Johns Hopkins.
2. Prepare:
   • CV
   • Research statement
   • Proof of funding
3. Submit through the hosting department.

JHU Visiting Scholars

12. Northwestern University (USA) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Northwestern welcomes international and domestic scholars to conduct independent research.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A Ph.D. or professional equivalent.
• Must secure a faculty sponsor.

Duration:

• Typically one academic year.

Funding:

• No internal funding is provided.
• Scholars must obtain external funding or institutional support.

Application Process:

1. Obtain faculty sponsorship.
2. Submit:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Funding confirmation
3. Approval from the host department.

Northwestern Visiting Scholars

13. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

UCLA provides visiting scholar positions in law, business, social sciences, and sciences.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent.
• Faculty sponsorship is mandatory.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years.

Funding:

• UCLA does not provide funding.
• External or personal funding is required.

Application Process:

1. Obtain faculty sponsorship.
2. Submit:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Financial documents
3. Approval from the host department.

UCLA Visiting Scholars

14. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

Michigan’s program supports visiting researchers in STEM, social sciences, and humanities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or extensive research experience.
• Faculty sponsorship required.

Duration:

• Up to 2 years.

Funding:

• Self-funded or externally sponsored.

Application Process:

1. Identify and obtain faculty sponsorship.
2. Submit:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Financial proof
3. Departmental review and final approval.

UMich Visiting Scholars

15. Duke University – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

Duke University welcomes visiting scholars in business, law, social sciences, medicine, and STEM fields. Visiting scholars can engage in collaborative research, lectures, and academic events.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent research experience.
• Requires a faculty sponsor from Duke.
• Must have a strong research background in the intended field.

Duration:

• Typically one year, with extensions possible upon departmental approval.

Funding:

• No direct financial support from Duke.
• Scholars must secure funding through personal resources, home institutions, or external fellowships.

Application Process:

1. Find a Faculty Sponsor – Scholars must identify a Duke professor in their field and secure sponsorship.
2. Submit Required Documents:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Letter of sponsorship from a Duke faculty member
   • Proof of external funding
3. Departmental Review – The hosting department reviews applications before final approval.

Duke Visiting Scholars

16. New York University (NYU) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

NYU provides visiting scholar opportunities across disciplines, including arts, social sciences, law, and business.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have a Ph.D. or professional research experience.
• Must be affiliated with a university, research institution, or government agency.
• A faculty sponsor from NYU is required.

Duration:

• Typically 6 months to 2 years.

Funding:

• No direct funding from NYU.
• Scholars must provide proof of institutional, government, or personal funding.

Application Process:

1. Obtain Faculty Sponsorship – Identify a relevant faculty member and request sponsorship.
2. Submit Application with Required Documents:
   • Research proposal
   • CV
   • Proof of funding
3. Departmental Approval – The faculty sponsor forwards the application for review.

NYU Visiting Scholars

17. Cornell University – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Cornell’s visiting scholar program offers access to world-class research facilities, libraries, and faculty collaboration.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent research experience.
• Requires faculty sponsorship from a Cornell department.
• Scholars should have a strong academic track record.

Duration:

• Typically one year, renewable upon approval.

Funding:

• No financial support from Cornell.
• Scholars must self-fund or secure external fellowships.

Application Process:

1. Find a Faculty Sponsor – Contact a Cornell professor and obtain their endorsement.
2. Prepare Required Documents:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Letter of sponsorship
   • Proof of external funding
3. Departmental Approval – The application is reviewed by the host department.

Cornell Visiting Scholars

18. University of California, San Diego (UCSD) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

UCSD provides visiting scholar opportunities in engineering, medicine, social sciences, and humanities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Requires a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience.
• Must have a faculty sponsor from UCSD.

Duration:

• 3 months to 1 year, with possible extensions.

Funding:

• No financial aid from UCSD.
• Scholars must secure external funding or institutional support.

Application Process:

1. Secure Faculty Sponsorship – Scholars must obtain approval from a UCSD professor.
2. Submit Required Documents:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Funding confirmation
3. Departmental Review – The application is reviewed before final approval.

UCSD Visiting Scholars

19. University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

UT Austin welcomes visiting scholars in law, business, humanities, sciences, and technology.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience.
• Faculty sponsorship is required.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years.

Funding:

• UT Austin does not provide funding.
• Scholars must have external funding.

Application Process:

1. Secure a Faculty Sponsor.
2. Submit Required Documents:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Funding proof
3. Departmental Approval.

UT Austin Visiting Scholars

20. University of Washington (UW) – Visiting Scholars Program

Overview:

UW provides opportunities for scholars across various disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or advanced research experience.
• Faculty sponsorship required.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years.

Funding:

• No internal funding; external support required.

Application Process:

1. Secure Faculty Sponsorship.
2. Prepare Required Documents:
   • CV
   • Research proposal
   • Proof of funding
3. Departmental Review.

UW Visiting Scholars

21. University of Wisconsin-Madison – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) offers Visiting Scholar opportunities in engineering, social sciences, humanities, business, law, and natural sciences. Scholars can access university libraries, participate in lectures, and collaborate on research with faculty members.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience.
• Scholars should be affiliated with a research institution or university.
• A faculty sponsor from UW-Madison is required.
• Strong academic and research background.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years, depending on the research project.

Funding:

• UW-Madison does not provide direct funding.
• Visiting scholars must secure funding from external grants, home institutions, or personal financial sources.
• Some departments may offer limited fellowships.

Application Process:

1. Secure a Faculty Sponsor – Applicants must identify and contact a UW-Madison professor who can support their research.
2. Prepare Required Documents:
   • A detailed research proposal explaining the purpose and expected outcomes of the visit.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Proof of funding (bank statements, institutional funding letters, or government grants).
   • A letter of sponsorship from the UW-Madison faculty member.
3. Submit the Application – The host department will review the application and approve or deny the request.

UW-Madison Visiting Scholars

22. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) offers Visiting Scholar programs for international and U.S.-based scholars in STEM, business, law, humanities, and social sciences.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must hold a Ph.D. or have equivalent professional research experience.
• A UIUC faculty sponsor is required before applying.
• Scholars should have a well-defined research project.

Duration:

• Typically 6 months to 2 years, with an option for renewal in exceptional cases.

Funding:

• UIUC does not provide financial assistance.
• Scholars must arrange their own funding via government grants, employer sponsorship, or personal funds.

Application Process:

1. Find and Contact a Faculty Sponsor – Scholars must connect with a UIUC professor in their field of study.
2. Prepare Application Materials:
   • A detailed research proposal outlining objectives and methodology.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Financial documentation showing the ability to fund the research stay.
   • A sponsorship letter from the UIUC faculty member.
3. Submit Application – The application must be submitted through the hosting department, and approval is subject to departmental review.

UIUC Visiting Scholars

23. University of California, Davis (UC Davis) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

UC Davis hosts Visiting Scholars across science, medicine, business, law, engineering, agriculture, and the humanities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Scholars must have a Ph.D. or equivalent research experience.
• A faculty sponsor from UC Davis is required.
• Strong research background relevant to UC Davis’s academic priorities.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years, with an option for renewal.

Funding:

• UC Davis does not provide financial support.
• Scholars must secure funding from external grants, employer sponsorships, or personal finances.

Application Process:

1. Find a UC Davis Faculty Sponsor – Identify and get approval from a UC Davis professor.
2. Submit Required Documents:
   • Research proposal explaining the goals and expected impact of the project.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Proof of funding.
   • A sponsorship letter from a UC Davis faculty member.
3. Departmental Review – The host department evaluates the application.

UC Davis Visiting Scholars

24. University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) offers Visiting Scholar positions in science, technology, humanities, and social sciences.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience.
• Scholars must have a faculty sponsor from UCSB.

Duration:

• 6 months to 2 years, based on research requirements.

Funding:

• UCSB does not provide financial assistance.
• Scholars must provide proof of external funding.

Application Process:

1. Secure Faculty Sponsorship – Identify a UCSB professor for research collaboration.
2. Prepare Application Materials:
   • Research proposal detailing the research objectives.
   • CV
   • Proof of funding
   • Letter of sponsorship from UCSB faculty.
3. Departmental Approval – The hosting department reviews the application.

UCSB Visiting Scholars

25. Brown University – Visiting Scholar Program

Overview:

Brown University offers Visiting Scholar positions for international and U.S.-based scholars in law, business, humanities, social sciences, STEM, and medical research.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent research credentials.
• A faculty sponsor from Brown University is required.

Duration:

• 6 months to 1 year, renewable.

Funding:

• Brown does not provide direct financial support.
• Visiting Scholars must arrange their own funding through institutional sponsorship, government grants, or personal funds.

Application Process:

1. Find a Faculty Sponsor at Brown – Scholars must directly contact a professor at Brown University.
2. Submit Required Documents:
   • Research proposal detailing research plans.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Funding documentation.
   • Letter of sponsorship from a Brown faculty member.
3. Submit Application to the Department – Applications are evaluated at the department level.

Brown Visiting Scholars