Visiting Researchers

Visiting Researchers Program at Georgetown University

The Visiting Researchers program at Georgetown University welcomes scholars who wish to engage with Georgetown faculty and use Georgetown University resources for research purposes. The University extends its resources on a selective basis in the spirit of institutional collegiality to foster the further development of knowledge. Preference is given to senior scholars and researchers, with permission granted occasionally to junior faculty or advanced graduate students from other institutions pursuing dissertation research.

Researchers are provided with a Georgetown University identification card (GoCard), the use of the Georgetown University Library system, and other privileges. Offices, however, are not available to Visiting Researchers due to limited space. Visiting Researchers have the opportunity to audit courses informally with the instructor’s permission.

Semesters

For Visiting Researcher purposes, the semesters are as follows:

• Fall: Late August to Late December
• Spring: Usually early January to June 1
• Summer: From June 1 to late August

For more information, please refer to the University’s academic calendars for the relevant semester or academic year, available on the University Registrar website.

Researcher Fees

The base Visiting Researcher Fee is currently $400 per semester. This supports researchers’ university affiliations as well as access to Georgetown University faculty and resources. Some departments assess an additional departmental fee. Please confirm with your department whether additional fees will be assessed and the frequency of assessment.

Fall, Spring and Summer are all considered semesters. Therefore, the base $400 fee is charged for each semester during which the researcher is affiliated with Georgetown University.

Click visit the Visiting Researchers main page for more detailed information.

Other Information

The employment classification used by Georgetown to record an approved visitor is “Visiting Researcher.” This is a non-paid appointment. Consequently, NO PAYMENTS or BENEFITS can be made by Georgetown University to a Visiting Researcher.

Most researchers stay from 6 to 12 months, but an extension to a visit may be requested if needed.

Researchers may participate in this program for a maximum of 4 years.

The application process begins between the Visiting Researcher and the department or program with which the researcher desires to engage.

Visiting Researcher applicants must provide the following application materials directly to the department or program:

1. Visiting Researcher Application Form
2. A 1-page description of the research
3. A complete curriculum vitae (CV)
4. Letters of recommendation (check with department or program for specific requirements)
5. Graduate transcripts, if requested by the department
6. If the applicant is a graduate student doing dissertation research, a supporting letter from the student’s department Chair or Dean is also required
7. For international researchers needing J-1 visa status, J-1 Scholar Request Form with all supporting documents listed on the form

All information requested above must be provided to the department at least 6 weeks prior to the Visiting Researcher’s arrival on campus. However, a longer lead time is strongly recommended, particularly if you need a visa.

• Visiting Researcher Application Form
• Extension Application Form
• J-1 Scholar Request Form

Visa paperwork for foreign citizens who are not Fulbright scholars is processed by the Office of Global Services. After non-U.S. Visiting Researchers receive their letter of acceptance, they should complete the “Scholar Portion” of the J-1 Scholar Request Form, and then submit the form (and the required documentation) to their host department or program. The department or program will complete the “Department Portion” of the form and forward the entire package to the Office of Global Services.

Visiting Researchers must read and abide by all applicable Georgetown University policies as they now exist and as they may, from time to time, be amended, including but not limited to:

• Confidential Information Policy (H.R. Policy Number 403)
• University Information Security Policy
• Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy
• Sexual Misconduct Policies and Resources
• HIPAA Security Policy
• Student Records Policy
• Information Classification Policy

Visiting Researchers should direct questions about these policies to the department chair/program head of their supporting academic unit.

For visa purposes, non-U.S. researchers should provide the following additional information:

1. Date, city, and country of birth;
2. Country of legal residence and country of citizenship;
3. Dates of arrival in and departure from the United States;
4. Source of funding while in this country;
5. Names of any family members who will accompany the Researcher as well as their dates of birth, country of birth, legal residence and citizenship.

In general, non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents come to Georgetown on a J-1 scholar visa. If the researcher’s country is part of the Visa Waiver Program and their stay will be less than 90 days, the researcher may contact OGS (internationalscholars@georgetown.edu) to determine if they are able to use the Visa Waiver for Business instead of the J-1 visa for their visit. Researchers traveling on a B-2 tourist visa or the Visa Waiver for Tourism will not be allowed to begin their visit on the Georgetown campus. 

To request a J-1 visa document, Visiting Researchers need to complete the J-1 Scholar Request Form and submit it to their host department along with all the supporting documents listed on the form.  The host department will submit the request to the Office of Global Services (OGS), and OGS will issue DS-2019 form(s) for the researcher and their dependents to apply for J-1 and J-2 visas at the U.S. Consulate.

Upon arrival on the Georgetown University campus, Visiting Researchers must meet and check in with several university departments.

1. Office of Global Services (OGS) (international researchers *in J-1 Status)

Researchers in J-1 status must attend a J-1 scholar orientation, held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 10-11a.m. in the Office of Global Services (OGS).

In order for Visiting Researchers in J-1 visa status to remain legally in the United States, Georgetown’s Office of Global Services must confirm their arrival in SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) within 30 days of their Form DS-2019 start date. 

2. Your Department / Program

Check in with your program to confirm that you have arrived.

While each department has its own procedures, this is where you will complete your registration in the program as well as pay the first semester’s fee. The following documentation will likely be needed, but check with your department contact first:

• Completed Local Contact Information Form
• Copy of your Visiting Researcher letter
• Copy of your original application materials
• Copy of documents issued to you by OGS (international researchers in J-1 status only)
• Payment for the first semester of your stay.
• Acceptable forms of payment are 1) cash (exact change) or 2) check (exact amount).

Once you have registered, your sponsoring department’s staff will enter your information into the university’s official system.

Finally, you will receive at your email address (the one provided on your application form) instructions about how to complete certain agreements and tasks. Once you’ve completed these tasks, the university system will issue your NetID account for university email and access to online services. A GOCard will also be prepared after you’ve completed your tasks. GOCards should be picked up at the service desk in the Leavey Center Bookstore by presenting the credentials provided to you.

Housing in the Washington, DC area is in high demand. The University does not provide housing accommodations for Visiting Researchers. Those wishing to obtain housing in the area should begin to make arrangements well in advance of their arrival.

Residential Living only provides housing to full time undergraduate students on the Hilltop campus and full-time graduate students on the Capitol Campus. During the summer term (June & July), the Summer Conference Housing team can provide housing for visiting scholars for lengths of time longer than 5 weeks. If interested, email summerhousing@georgetown.edu  . 

For international students, The International Student House provides accommodation and meals for longer periods of time. However, please note that all prospective guests must complete an application and undergo a screening process before being considered. As such, it is best to begin the solicitation process as early as possible in order to ensure room availability.

Access to Resources and Space

Researchers are provided with a University identification card (GoCard), which permits use and borrowing privileges within the Georgetown University Library system http://www.library.georgetown.edu/ and access to the various computer labs located throughout the Main Campus.

Unfortunately, due to limited availability, priority for the use of library research desk carrels is given to Georgetown faculty and graduate students. In general, office space is not available but Researchers are encouraged to make inquiries with their host department in the event an alternative arrangement is possible.

Course Enrollment

Visiting Researchers also have the opportunity to audit courses informally with the instructor’s permission. For those who wish to audit courses on a formal basis or to enroll in a course for credit must make a formal application for “Special Student” status to Georgetown’s Graduate School. This application involves completing a standard Georgetown University Graduate School admissions application, submitting all required documentation such as undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation and, if appropriate, TOEFL scores, and paying the then current admissions application fee. Because it is assumed that the primary objective of the Visiting Researchers affiliation is research, it is anticipated that such requests will be rare.

Those primarily interested in pursuing non-degree Graduate course work (course numbers 3500 or higher) at Georgetown should contact Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies at (202) 687-8700. For those wishing to formally audit a course or take a course for credit, the current per-credit charge is applicable in addition to the Visiting Researchers Fee. For a complete listing of our course offerings, please visit the University Registrar’s web site at http://registrar.georgetown.edu.

Transportation

Researchers are provided with free access to the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS bus). Two of the GUTS routes provide direct access to nearby Metro subway stations — Rosslyn Metro Station in Virginia (across the river in Arlington, Virginia) and the Dupont Circle Metro Station in Washington, DC near Connecticut Avenue and Q Street, N.W. A map of the Washington, DC Metro subway system may be found on the Washington Metro web site.

Athletic Facilities

For an additional fee, Visiting Researchers may use the University’s athletic facilities located in the Yates Field House for a fee.