Visiting Researcher Program

Each year the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) hosts a limited number of Visiting Researchers from around the world.  The goal of CLAS’s Visiting Researcher program is to enhance our intellectual community with new perspectives and cutting-edge research related to CLAS’s core substantive foci.

Visiting Researchers may be in residence with CLAS for just a semester, or for a full academic year.  Visiting Researchers who wish to extend their appointment may request to do so in advance of their appointment’s end date.

Eligibility

Most applicants to the CLAS Visiting Researcher program are doctoral students or scholars who hold a doctorate.  In addition, to be eligible to apply for the program, interested scholars must:

• Identify a faculty mentor – i.e., a faculty member with similar research interests – and secure their commitment to work with the Visiting Researcher for the duration of the Visiting Researcher’s appointment
• Develop and propose a well-conceptualized and well-designed research project
• Be able to communicate effectively in English in oral and written form

Cost

Visiting researchers are required to pay a US$400 University Visiting Researcher Program fee for each semester of their visit, including summer.  There are no exceptions to paying the University Visiting Researcher Program fee.

In addition, CLAS charges a US$400 fee for each semester of affiliation, not including summer; these fees help defray program costs. Unfortunately, due to limited funds, CLAS does not provide financial assistance to Visiting Researchers. We encourage applicants to obtain fellowships or research grants from their universities, professional organizations, government organizations, and other sources. The Georgetown Office of International Student and Scholar Services lists many potential resources for funding and support (see here).

CLAS may waive the CLAS Visiting Researcher program fee for scholars from Latin America who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Their home institution is not willing to pay the fee
• They have no external funding (i.e., funding from outside their home institution)
• They are currently students

Benefits

Participants in Georgetown University’s Visiting Researchers program are integrated into the university community. CLAS Visiting Researchers are also provided with the following:

• Access to Georgetown University libraries (with borrowing privileges), programs, events, and other valuable university resources
• Ability to audit and/or observe Georgetown University courses free of charge
• Introductions to other Georgetown University Visiting Researchers and to the CLAS intellectual community including faculty, students, and staff
• Guidance of, and periodic meetings with, a faculty mentor
• Opportunity to participate in CLAS events and activities, parties/celebrations
• Access to the CLAS office suite
  • Unfortunately CLAS cannot guarantee office space to Visiting Researchers
• A network of scholars with whom to remain in contact during and after appointment
• Access to an array of networking and cultural opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area

Expectations and Opportunities

Participants in CLAS’s Visiting Researchers program are expected to engage in the following activities each semester they are in residence:

• Attend a Visiting Researchers lunch
• Offer a presentation on a research panel with other Visiting Researchers
• Interact actively with, and serve as a resource for, faculty and students who form part of the CLAS community.
• Develop, and leave with CLAS prior to departure, a substantial written product of at least 25 pages (a paper, book manuscript, or other academic output in digital form)

Applying to the CLAS Visiting Researcher Program

Scholars interested in becoming a Visiting Researcher with CLAS at Georgetown University should complete the application form that can be found here.

Please note that the application form requires the upload of four documents:

• A cover letter clearly describing why you are interested in an appointment as a Visiting Researcher with CLAS at Georgetown
• A research proposal or summary of 3,500 to 5,000 words including the following elements
  • An abstract
  • A description of the research focus
  • A discussion of the sites and duration of the project
  • A justification for why the research focus is important
  • A discussion of the methods of inquiry to be utilized
  • A discussion of expected results or outcomes
• Your resume/CV
  • Please be sure your CV includes Country of Residence, Street Address, Postal Code, and Date of Birth
• A letter from the Georgetown University faculty member who has agreed to serve as your faculty mentor attesting to and confirming their understanding of that commitment

All application materials should be written in English.

Incomplete applications, or applications with elements that do not match the parameters outlined above, will not be considered.

More scholars apply to be Visiting Researchers with CLAS than we are able to accommodate. Applications undergo a rigorous internal review process carried out by a faculty committee. Applicants are usually notified of the results of this review process within four to six weeks of applying. On occasion applicants are requested to provide additional information in order for review of their application to be completed.
We look forward to receiving your application and the possibility of welcoming you into our community. Applicants or current Visiting Researchers can direct questions about any of these requirements to Prof. Angelo Rivero Santos, CLAS Director for Academic Affairs, or Prof. Diana Kapiszewski, CLAS Director.