Center for Asia Pacific Studies / Visiting Scholars / How to Apply

How to Apply

Deadlines

The Center for Asia Pacific Studies invites applications for stays from two weeks to six months during the following time periods:

Fall Semester (August 15 – December 15)

  • Deadline: February 1
  • Applications accepted: Jan. 1 - Feb. 1
  • Applicants will be informed of decision in March

Spring Semester (January 15 – May 15)

  • Deadline: August 1
  • Applications accepted: July 1 - August 1
  • Applicants will be informed of decision in September

How to Apply

Step 1

Send a preliminary visiting scholar application to centerasiapacific@usfca.edu with the subject line, "Visiting Scholar Application" containing the following:

  • Which semester you are applying for (fall or spring)
  • A cover letter/letter of self-introduction (in English)
  • A research proposal (2 page maximum) addressing the following:
    • Project title, research goals during period of affiliation, and brief statement on importance of affiliation
    • Proposed arrival date, end date and length of stay (2 week minimum, 6 month maximum)
    • Names and affiliations of any USF faculty with whom you have had contact about your proposed stay (optional)
    • Curriculum vitae (in English)

If you are not a US citizen, please answer the following questions:

  • Where are you now? (U.S., home country, different country?)
  • If you are in the US, what nonimmigrant visa classification do you currently hold?
  • Have you been in the US in J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant status in the past two years?
  • What is your country of citizenship? What is your country of legal permanent residence?
  • Do you have plans to engage in other activities (lectures, consultations, research, etc.) at any other U.S. institutions/organizations either prior to, during, or after your visit to USF. If yes, please provide as much detail as possible (e.g. institution(s), dates, anticipated compensation [if any])

Step 2

Applications are reviewed by the Center for Asia Pacific Studies (once in the fall and once in the spring).

Step 3

Applicants will be notified of the Committee's decision in writing within a reasonable period of time.

Step 4

Applicants who receive an invitation to apply to our program will then be asked to:

  • complete the online visa application form
  • provide supplementary materials (scanned copy of passport, certified statements of financial support, and documentation certifying English language proficiency, etc.)
  • pay the $150 non-refundable application fee. The Center charges this fee to defray the administrative costs of processing and evaluating your application

Step 5

Once your application is approved by the University of San Francisco, you will be mailed your DS-2019.

Step 6

Payment information will be sent to you with a due date prior to the appointment start date.

Step 7

Once you have obtained your visa, please inform us of your arrival date and schedule your check-in and orientation.

The application process, from acceptance as a visiting scholar until arrival in the U.S., often takes at least three months and can take up to six months to complete due to visa regulations. Scholars should plan their arrival date accordingly.

English language Proficiency

Scholars will be required to provide documentation of English language proficiency.

Limited Space

Due to space and administrative limitations, there is a 6 scholars/year limit on the number of visiting scholars who may be invited by the Center. As a result, the Center may not be able to accommodate the requests of all qualified candidates in a given year.