ISIM Visiting Scholars Program

The Institute welcomes 3-6 visiting scholars each year for short periods of a few weeks up to one year. We can provide a working area in our office, computer, internet, phone and, for a small required fee, visiting status at Georgetown University with access to graduate classes, the library, and the campus community. Please note that we are not a degree granting department and do not have funding for visiting scholars. Interested scholars should provide a letter of intent, dates for the desired visit, a brief description of their research agenda, evidence of funding, and 2-3 letters of reference.

The Institute and Georgetown has a small community of immigration scholars, substantial resources, and the Washington area has a lively community of experts hosting regular meetings. Typically, visiting scholars primarily pursue their proposed study and research agenda using the available resources; and some audit classes taught by Institute staff or others. We welcome scholarly work that complements the Institute's broadly ranging interests, as well as collaborative agendas.

Applications can be made at any time, but preferably four to six months prior to the desired visit; and preferably by October for visits beginning in the Spring/Summer of the following year and by April for visits beginning in the Fall of the same year. Of course, if the scholar is first pursing a grant for funding their visit, we are pleased to write a letter of invitation after accepting their application package.

We accept applicants based upon the strength of their application package, the degree to which their proposed agenda complements ISIM's activities, and available space. Applicants may be from any country, must provide their own funding, process their applications for the appropriate study visa, and arrange for their own housing (we can provide letters of acceptance and guidance).

Application Check List:

Full name
Nationality
Completed degrees & degrees sought
Period of visit (may include optional periods)
References
Funding source(s)
Amount of funding
Brief description of study interests (abstract and 2 to 10 page statement)
Areas of complement with Institute's agenda
Curriculum Vitae/Resume

Resources:

Georgetown's Office of International Programs
http://oip.georgetown.edu/
Georgetown's Office of International Programs (OIP) fosters the international character of the University. The OIP's Division of International Student and Scholar Services (IS) supports international students and scholars. The Institute's acceptance of your application is provisional until all University requirements are met including the visiting scholar fee. Please see this website for information for visiting scholars.

Georgetown University J-1 Request Form for Scholars
http://www11.georgetown.edu/oip/isss/j-1scholar.pdf
Scholars typically study in the United States under the J-1 visa for cultural exchange. The Institute's acceptance of your application is provisional until the appropriate visa is issued. Consult this form to ensure that you can provide the information and meet the requirements. Pay particular attention to page 5 and the funding requirements, as well as taking note that you must have medical insurance.

US State Department's Visa Application site: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

US Citizenship and Immigration Services site: http://www.uscis.gov/

Fulbright Visiting Scholars Programs site: http://www.cies.org/vs_scholars/