1. Provost's Office
  2. Visiting Research Scholars

Visiting Research Scholars

Visiting Research Scholar (VRS) program at the Graduate Center involves two processes. The first process is focused on verifying a potential scholar seems capable of adding usefully to the academic discourse at the university, and that the required details of the proposed visit and proper documents are present. That process is managed by the Office of the Provost. Visitors cannot nominate themselves. They are usually brought to the attention of a program or center by a faculty member. Each scholar must have a faculty advisor who will oversee the research or collaborate with the visitor as appropriate. Visitors are not eligible to serve as Principal Investigators on Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) applications. 

Only the Executive Officer of a program or the Director of a center may request Visiting Research Scholar status for a proposed guest. 

Naturally, requests for Visiting Research Scholar status must precede the visitor. Submit requests at least three months before the proposed start date. Sending your request with three months lead time or more shows consideration to your colleagues making requests and gives the offices involved time to properly assist you. Non-citizens may become Visiting Research Scholars by participating in the Exchange Visitor Program facilitated by the Department of State. Scholars must make their own travel arrangements. American citizens and those with dual citizenship may also be Visiting Research Scholars. If the visit is approved, the Executive Officer or Director is sent an official letter from the Provost authorizing the visit and customary privileges (e.g. computer account).

The second part of the Visiting Research Scholar process ensures that a non-citizen visitor is eligible for the Exchange Visitor Program and, if so, assisting with immigration. The Office of Human Resources manages that process. Visiting Research Scholars from abroad who do not wish to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program are not eligible for visa assistance from the Graduate Center.

To request Visiting Research Scholar status, gather the following required documents:

  1. A formal request on letterhead addressed to Provost Steve Everett by a Program’s EO/Director/Coordinator or Center’s Director indicating the exact dates of the proposed visit, a brief statement of how the VRS will add usefully to the academic discourse at the university, and the name of the faculty member who will oversee the research and/or collaborate with the visitor. Please state clearly whether the VRS candidate requires visa assistance and/or if the scholar anticipates Fulbright support. Finally, please add one of the following sentences to your request: “This work will not require any additional office space.” or "[Scholar's name] understands The Graduate Center cannot provide a separate office to pursue this project.” to confirm that the scholar is aware that, unfortunately, we cannot offer space.
  2. The VRS candidate’s CV
  3. The VRS candidate’s statement of research intent explaining what they hope to accomplish
  4. If the VRS candidate is not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, the following two forms are required: J-1 Visa/Export Control questionnaire that must be completed by the host/sponsor faculty member, Principal Investigator or researcher’s immediate supervisor, and (b) J-1 Foreign Influence Due Diligence Form that must be completed by the prospective J-1 candidate. All supporting material must be in English. These forms must be approved by CUNY Central before any action is taken on visas, etc.

Once you have gathered all of the above documents email them to nsilverman@gc.cuny.edu.

Naturally, requests for Visiting Research Scholar status must precede the visitor. Submit requests at least three months before the proposed start date. Sending your request with three months lead time or more shows consideration to your colleagues making requests and gives the offices involved time to properly assist you. Non-citizens may become Visiting Research Scholars by participating in the Exchange Visitor Program (see below) facilitated by the Department of State. Scholars must make their own travel arrangements. American citizens and those with dual citizenship may also be Visiting Research Scholars. If the visit is approved, the Executive Officer or Director is sent an official letter from the Provost authorizing the visit and customary privileges (e.g. computer account).