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Visiting Scholars and Visiting Research Students

Reminder: If you have an international visiting scholar who needs to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa, fill out the DS-2019 through the International Center before submitting the Rackham Visiting Scholar on-line application.

Departments, programs and other academic units of the University of Michigan may invite faculty, researchers, and graduate students from outside the University to be Visiting Scholar or Visiting Student Researchers. The Rackham Graduate School authorizes these appointments. This status is reserved for scholars and graduate students who are invited to pursue a program of research during a limited term of residence. Visiting Scholars or Students may have access to certain limited services and resources (see below). Currently employed staff, faculty and students of the University of Michigan are not eligible for these appointments.

Visiting Scholars must:

  • 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
  • Be pursuing a program of research as their primary purpose; and
  • Be invited by a department, program or other University unit; and
  • Be in residence for an appointment term of not less than one month and not more than three calendar years.

Visiting Research Students must:

  • Be conducting research related to the graduate degree requirements of another university as their primary purpose; and
  • Be invited by a department, program or other University unit; and
  • Be in residence for not less than one month and not more than two calendar years.

Students visiting under student exchange agreements are not eligible for appointments as Visiting Research Students.

For questions regarding the visiting scholar status at the University of Michigan, please contact Colleen Root, (734) 764-8221 or .

Application Process

Visitors must be sponsored by an academic unit of the University, which initiates the application to the Rackham Graduate School.

The hosting academic unit should write an appointment letter to the visiting scholar or visiting research student which specifies the visitor’s activities and responsibilities, the start and end dates of the appointment, as well as the resources which will be made available to the visitor while at Michigan. The letter should specify: compensation or support funding from the department/unit or other external source; access to office space, labs, computing accounts, or other facilities; availability of staff support; and assistance with living arrangements.

For visitors who will be paid through the University of Michigan, the sponsoring unit makes arrangements with Human Resources. The Registrar’s Office handles appointments of non-paid visitors. The sponsoring department, center or program is the primary contact for the Visiting Scholar or Visiting Research Student during the term of appointment.

International Visitors:If needed, the sponsoring unit contacts the International Center to obtain a DS-2019 request for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. In this case, the DS-2019 request process through the International Center should be completed before submitting the Rackham Visiting Scholar online application.

Visiting Scholar and Visiting Research Student Application (for administrators only)

University ID Card

Visiting Scholars and Student Researchers are issued an official University of Michigan identification card (Mcard). This photo identification card is required of all members of the University community, and must be presented for access to services listed below. Visitors may pick up their Mcard at one of several ID Issuing Stations on campus.

Services

Library: Visiting Scholars and Student Researchers have full access to the University Library, including borrowing services. Fees are charged for copying and printing services. For more information, see University Library Services.

Computing Account: The University’s Information Technology Central Services (ITCS) maintains computing accounts, including email and other access to the University’s online resources. A uniqname and password must be assigned for access. The uniqname is assigned when a Visiting Scholar or Student Researcher is appointed. Visitors should talk to a manager in their sponsoring unit about arrangements for computing services. In some cases, access to these services will be handled within the department; otherwise, individuals will be directed to the ITCS Accounts Office.

Office Space: Office space is extremely limited. Use of an office or access to any support services is wholly at the discretion of the sponsoring University unit.

Laboratory and Other Research Facilities: Access to laboratory or other research facilities requires the advance permission of the sponsoring department, program or other University unit.

Classes: With permission of the instructor, visitors may informally attend classes or seminars. No grades, credits, or transcripts will be issued. Visiting Scholars or Student Researchers who want to take classes for credit must apply for admission to the Rackham Graduate School as a Non-Candidate for Degree. For more information, see Rackham Admissions.

Housing: Visitors are responsible for providing for their housing arrangements during their stay. The sponsoring unit may provide information or other assistance. University Housing may have space available in its facilities, and maintains listings of rental housing in the Ann Arbor area.

Recreation Facilities: For access to exercise and recreation facilities, visitors may purchase passes to the Central or North Campus Recreation Buildings. For more information, see Recreational Sports.

Parking and Transportation: Campus and city buses are free with the University ID card. On-campus parking is limited, but Visiting Scholars and Students may purchase a parking permit depending on availability and at the discretion of the University’s Parking and Transportation Services.

Health Services: All visitors are expected to have health insurance. University Health Service (UHS) provides a comprehensive outpatient facility that provides a full range of medical services. A fee is charged for each service; some or all of these may be covered by health insurance.

Contact information

Rackham Graduate School
Visiting Scholar/Visiting Student Researcher
915 East Washington St.
(734) 764-8221

International Center
Central Campus
603 East Madison St.
(734) 764-9310

North Campus
Pierpont Commons – Lower Level
2101 Bonisteel Blvd.
(734) 936-4180

English Language Institute
500 East Washington St.
(734) 764-2413

Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library
920 North University St.
(734) 764-0400

Housing Information Office
1011 Student Activities Building
515 East Jefferson St.
(734) 764-8320

Information Technology Central Services (ITCS) Accounts Office
Michigan Union – Lower Level
530 South State St.
(734) 764-8000

Mcard Center
1000 Student Activities Building
515 East Jefferson St.
(734) 936-2273

Parking and Transportation Services
508 Thompson St.
(734) 764-8291

Recreational Sports
Central Campus
401 Washtenaw Ave.
(734) 763-3084

North Campus
2375 Hubbard St.
(734) 763-4560

University Health Service
207 Fletcher St.
(734) 764-8320

The conditions of an appointment are subject to change without notice, and an appointment may be canceled at the discretion of the University, consistent with University policy and practice.