Hosting Visiting Scholars

Given our location in Boston, with its rich and diverse cultural and intellectual communities, as well as our long history of global ties, it is no surprise that BU attracts visiting scholars who greatly enhance our community from every corner of the globe.

Who are visiting scholars and what do they do?

Each year, hundreds of scholars and researchers from around the world are invited to BU to conduct research under the guidance of or in collaboration with members of the BU faculty. Visiting scholars come to BU for a few weeks or up to a full year. Most visiting scholars and researchers are junior or senior members of faculties in countries outside the US; some may be involved in government service or doctoral or postdoctoral studies.

In addition to pursuing their own research objectives while at BU, visiting scholars are often invited to actively participate in other University activities, such as:

  • Deliver a formal lecture to the school/college
  • Participate in departmental or interdisciplinary program seminars
  • Engage in formal or informal discussions with graduate students
  • Undertake collaborative research with faculty or staff
  • Present guest lectures in classes

What is expected of a department or faculty member hosting a visiting scholar?

The relationship between a visiting scholar and a BU faculty mentor can range from close collaboration to casual oversight. It is important that the nature and scope of the relationship, as well as the specifics of the prospective visitor’s research project, be worked out by the two before the visiting scholar arrives on campus. We encourage prospective BU faculty mentors to have a conversation with the potential visiting scholar to work out these issues and to assure that the two will be able to communicate comfortably.

Departments and/or faculty hosts contribute to a successful stay of a visiting scholar in many ways, which may include:

  • Arranging access to computers, libraries, and other facilities, as appropriate
  • Providing office space, if available
  • Space permitting, inviting visiting scholars to observe classes and attend faculty workshops and other academic events
  • Liaising early with the ISSO for necessary information to process immigration documents
  • Consulting the Policy on Visiting Faculty and Research Scholars set out by the Office of the Provost for guidance on issuing invitation letters and other appointment procedures.

BU Faculty Exchange

BU has a number of collaboration agreements with foreign institutions that provide for the possibility of faculty exchange.

Among these is an opportunity for a funded short-term exchange of faculty (for 4 weeks or less) with the Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy. This is a result of our long-term undergraduate study abroad relationship with the university and in addition to research offers the faculty the opportunity to work with students and scholars at the Università and the BU Padua Academic Center.

Please note that this program has been temporarily suspended for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.  BU is consistently listed as a Fulbright “Top Producing” sending institution of students and faculty.  There are hundreds of different awards to choose from.  There are Fulbright programs for:

  • US Scholars to teach, conduct research, and exchange ideas abroad
  • Non-US Scholars to lecture and conduct advanced research in the US

Find out more about hosting a Fulbright Scholar at BU or find BU faculty who have been awarded a Fulbright in the past here.

DAAD Fellowships for German Exchange

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a publicly funded, independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany. Each year, DAAD, its regional branch offices, its information centers, and DAAD professors around the globe provide information and financial support to over 67,000 highly qualified students and faculty for international research and study. Located in New York, San Francisco, and Toronto, DAAD North America advises students, faculty, and current DAAD fellows in the US and Canada.

Funding opportunities through DAAD are many, including science tours, research visit grants, visiting professorships, conference funding, group study visits, and summer seminars in German studies. Deadlines vary. Please refer to the DAAD website.

Please let us know if you have won a DAAD Fellowship! We would love to hear about your experience and learn how we can support additional faculty with similar interests and goals in the future.