Welcome to the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences.
Our International Visiting Scholars Program is aimed to provide a unique opportunity for select scholars around the world to pursue scholarly and intellectual development in the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) at The George Washington University.
Scholars will have access to resources such as GW’s Gelman Library, the Brookings Institution, the Library of Congress, and much more. Our university's prime location in Washington D.C. provides scholars with rich opportunities to engage with the government agencies, institutions, foreign embassies, and intellectual communities located in the U.S. Nation's capital.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and only complete applications will be considered. We encourage interested scholars to apply as early as possible, as the processing may take up to 3-6 months. Please read this page in its entirety before submitting an application. Any questions can be sent to the CCAS Office of Global Initiatives at ccasglobal@gwu.edu.
How to Apply
As the first step, any scholar should be in contact with a potential Faculty Sponsor to confirm research interests and a mutual desire to collaborate. Please consult the list of Academic Departments in the Columbian College to help identify potential Sponsors.
International Visiting Scholars can conduct teaching and research in CCAS under short-term, semester-long, and year-long appointments. For International Visiting Scholars requiring visa sponsorship by GW, the university will also facilitate your J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however, please note that processing may take up to 3-6 months. In cases where GW is sponsoring your J-1 visa, your application timeline will also depend upon U.S. State Department visa approval and their visa interview appointment wait times in your home country. A minimum of 3 months lead time is recommended if you require visa sponsorship.
Additionally, International Visiting Scholars are subject to a Bench Fee associated with the administration of the program and provision of this opportunity. Fees as of July 1, 2024 are $400 per month, $1,500 per semester, and $4,000 per calendar year, and will be prorated to your own proposed duration of stay. Currently, Visiting Scholars are permitted to apply for up to a maximum of a 1-year stay. If you are approved by CCAS as an International Visiting Scholar, we will reach out regarding the fee at that time. Please note that rates are subject to change.
In order to be considered, please must submit the following application package (all in English):
- Completed Teaching or Research Project Proposal
- Current CV
- Demonstration of English Proficiency
- A completed application
Note: For International Visiting Scholars requiring J-1 exchange visa sponsorship, the following documents may be requested at a later date:
- Proof of Personal Health Insurance Coverage (Please review the insurance coverage guidelines)
- Proof of Funding: Each candidate must demonstrate that he or she has the funds to obtain the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, if needed, and to cover medical insurance and any administrative fee to be imposed. Please note that the J-1 exchange visa requires that the documentation, written in English, show funding in the amount of US $1200 per month for the principal visitor, US $600 per month for the spouse, and US $300 per month of each child plus medical insurance coverage. [Subject to change by the US Department of State]
- Copy of Passport / Current Visa
- Other information as necessary
Next Steps:
After reviewing and approving an International Visiting Scholars' application, CCAS will send an approval notice and the scholar's application materials to the Office of the Provost for final review. The Office of the Provost will reach out to the International Visiting Scholar directly to provide an Invitation letter and to facilitate the completion of a background screening.
For any International Visiting Scholar requiring visa sponsorship, CCAS will work with the sponsoring Department to initiate visa sponsorship with GW's International Services Office (ISO).
