Visiting Scholars
The exchange of professors and research scholars promotes the exchange of ideas, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries. Benedictine University encourages its faculty and staff to facilitate these connections, and IPS can assist all parties through the process. Benedictine University is authorized to welcome participants in the following non-student categories: Professor and Research Scholars, Short-Term Scholars, and Specialists.
Professor and Research Scholars
Professor and Research Scholars must:
- Not be a candidate for a tenure track position.
- Not have participated in and completed a professor or research scholar program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement.
- Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a professor or research scholar program unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
- The participant is currently in a professor or research scholar program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue their current J-1 program.
- The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-Visa program was less than six months in duration.
- The prior participation was as a short-term scholar.
Short-Term Scholars
Professors, research scholars and other individuals with similar education or accomplishments travel to the United States on a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions or similar types of institutions. Short-Term Scholars must:
- Be a professor, research scholar or someone with similar education or experience.
- The maximum duration of stay is six months.
- No program extension will be considered.
- No change of category will be considered.
Specialists
Specialists are experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skills who provide opportunities to increase the exchange of ideas with American counterparts. Specialists must:
- Be experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skill.
- Seek to travel to the United States for the purpose of the interchange of knowledge and skills among foreign and American specialists by observing, consulting or demonstrating their special knowledge or skills.
- Not fill a permanent or long-term position of employment while in the United States.
The maximum duration of this program is one year.
Descriptions of programs taken from the U.S. Department of State’s J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program’s site. An invitation or job offer from a Benedictine University department will need to be obtained in order to begin the process of visa sponsorship for the visit. Scholars already in connection with an academic department at Benedictine University should proceed to the application page.
Are you eligible to apply to visit Benedictine as a scholar or professor?
Many factors determine eligibility for participation in the J-1 Exchange Program. The purpose of the visit will determine whether the J program is appropriate. Eligibility will depend on:
- If the length of the program is temporary and the scholar has the intention of returning home after completion.
- What the current visa status is if already in the United States.
- If there have been previous J visits within the past two years. This may bar repeat participation in a new J program.
- If the position offered is tenure or tenure-track (not-eligible).
- If English proficiency is at least at an intermediate level in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- If proof of financial support exists to cover personal expenses.
