Embedded Files
UMSI is dedicated to building and strengthening its research. Inviting visiting scholars or students aims to facilitate collaborative research and enhance networking. It also provides opportunities for professional development and cultural exchange, both for the visiting scholar/student and UMSI faculty and students. If you would like UMSI to sponsor visitors (faculty or students) for any length of time, please contact umsi.human.resources@umich.edu at least 3 months in advance. It's critical that visitors do not purchase flights or secure housing before they have been approved if UMSI is sponsoring them. UMSI must sponsor them if they are working on your research with you. Sponsoring a visiting scholar is a carefully coordinated process between faculty, UMSI HR, the exchange visitor, the International Center (if the visitor needs a J-1 visa), and the Shared Services Center. See important information and resources at the bottom of this page.
If they need a visa, the purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges."
If they are coming to work on their own research for a couple of months and want to come on a B or tourist visa, that is different. HR doesn't need much notice for them and doesn't have to do anything related to their visa.
Who is a Visiting Scholar?
Who is a Visiting Scholar?
Departments, programs and other academic units of the University of Michigan may invite faculty researchers from other universities as Visiting Scholars. This status is reserved for scholars who are invited to pursue a program of research during a limited term of residence. Visiting Scholars may have access to certain limited services and resources outlined below. Current faculty, staff and students of the University of Michigan are not eligible for this status.
Visiting Scholars are individuals who:
Have an earned PhD (or equivalent) or other comparable terminal graduate or graduate-professional degree (i.e., JD, MD, MFA, etc.), and hold a faculty or other permanent research position at another accredited university, college, or research organization or;
Have a Master’s or equivalent intermediate degree and substantial professional experience that the host unit affirms to be equivalent to that expected of a member of the University of Michigan faculty; and
Are pursuing a program of research as their primary purpose; and
Are formally invited and ‘sponsored’ by a department, program or other University of Michigan academic unit; and
Will be in residence for a term of not less than one month and not more than three calendar years.
Who is a Visiting Graduate Student?
Departments, programs, and other academic units of the University of Michigan may invite graduate students from other universities as Visiting Graduate Students. This status is only for graduate students who are invited to pursue a program of research during a limited term of residence. These visitors may have access to some limited services and resources (below). Students visiting under student exchange agreements are not eligible for Visiting Graduate Student status. Current students, staff, and faculty of the University of Michigan are also not eligible for this status.
Visiting Graduate Students are individuals who:
Are conducting research related to the graduate degree requirements of another university as their primary purpose; and
Are invited by a department, program or other University academic unit; and
Will be in residence for not less than one month and not more than two calendar years.
The term of the appointment can be a maximum of one year; a renewal application must be submitted for the second year.
PROCESS:
PROCESS:
Email umsi.human.resources@umich.edu with the following information to start the process:
NOTE: UMSI HR will email the Associate Dean for Faculty to obtain approval if the visitor will need space. UMSI HR will also draft an invitation letter to ensure it contains all of the required information.
The visitor's current CV
Program start & end dates
Important! Confirm that the EV's proposed start date allows sufficient time for processing the DS-2019 request and for the EV to obtain a J-1 visa from the U.S. consulate. A lead time of at least 8 -10 weeks is recommended.
Program objective
Be prepared to describe the purpose of the EV visit, with details about what they will do in support of it, including cultural and educational exchange objectives. Will there be any sort of sharing of information, collaboration, or any benefit to the University? How does their visit benefit U of M? What benefits does the visitor receive from coming to U of M? At what frequency will they be attending workshops, meetings, attending lectures, meeting other students, professors, or UMSI faculty? What will the extent of your communication be with them (ie, showing them around Ann Arbor only, or frequent interactions)? This information will be used to prepare the Department of State (DOS) letter. Please be very descriptive and provide as much information as you can.
Let us know if you expect to employ them in any capacity (i.e., Research Asst temp).
Also let us know if they will be supporting your research, or conducting their own. If yours, what particular research and/or project? If they are conducting their own, what UM resources will they need?
UMSI HR will work with the inviting faculty member on drafting the invitation letter. This letter will need to be approved and signed by UMSI's Associate Dean of Research and Innovation.
UMSI HR will initiate the process with the Shared Services Center.
NOTE: Only UMSI HR can handle this step.
For more information:
Page updated
Report abuse