Visiting Scholars
We often host visitors who are senior scholars and/or distinguished visitors who (1) hold a doctoral degree or the foreign equivalent and (2) an appointment comparable to that of a UCLA faculty member, and (3) are in most cases on temporary leave from their universities or research centers.
Visiting Scholars are in residence for relatively short periods of time, usually no longer than a year. They usually conduct research conceived and funded prior to coming to UCLA. Ordinarily, visiting scholars are self-supported; that is they have funding from their home universities or from outside grant or funding agencies.
Although Visiting Scholars are largely independent and autonomous, these visits are viewed as a collaborative experience with UCLA faculty members, and such collaborations are in all cases established prior to their arrival at UCLA.
Ordinarily, visiting scholars are self-supported, or have adequate support funds from sources outside the University and are considered peers of the faculty, unlike postdoctoral scholars who enroll with the Graduate Division for an approved postdoctoral research and training objective under faculty supervision.
Fees
The Department of Urban Planning charges a fee for all visitors:
Per Three-Month Term (winter, spring, summer, or fall): $5,000
Minimum fee: $2500
This fee covers costs currently charged by the university to process visa applications and Bruin Card applications as well as supporting visiting scholars with their research/study program while at UCLA (via computing and other services), administration of the program, and improvements to facilities and equipment.
Visitors are provided with a shared office space based on availability.
Fees must be paid prior to arrival on campus. Please click here to make the Department payment, and send proof of payment to robin@luskin.ucla.edu.
How to apply
- To apply for appointment as a Visiting Scholar, please send the following materials via e-mail (as attachments, in either *.pdf or *.doc formats) to Robin McCallum, Manager of the Department.
- A cover letter of no more than two pages describing (1) your background and qualifications, (2) your reasons for wanting to visit UCLA, (3) the program of study you intend to pursue while at UCLA, (4) the Urban Planning faculty member who has agreed to serve as your sponsor, and (5) your expected means of support during your visit.
- Academic curriculum vitae
There is no deadline for applications, though you should allow at least one month for your application to be considered, and at least two additional months to process your appointment should you be invited to visit UCLA.
International visitors should apply at least six months in advance in order to allow time for visa processing. The Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars now uses the International Scholar Dossier (ISD) to gather required information about the international scholar’s program in order to create the DS-2019 form for J-1 scholars. After a visitor is approved by the host faculty member, they will receive a link to electronically submit preliminary information to the department administrator through the ISD. After the administrator reviews the data entered by the scholar, completes the departmental data, and uploads the required documents, it is sent electronically to the Dashew Center. The Dashew Center then processes the application and follows the delivery instructions requested.
Please note that effective 1/5/2015, any DS-2019 form issued will require the student or scholar beginning a new J-1 program to demonstrate English language proficiency in one of three ways: 1.) A recognized English language test; or 2.) Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school; or 3.) A documented interview conducted by the faculty supervisor either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option. Invitation to visit the Department of Urban Planning is solely at the discretion of your sponsoring faculty member(s) and the Chair of the Department of Urban Planning. To identify an appropriate faculty member to serve as your sponsor, you may wish to access the department of Urban Planning faculty research listings and contact information and the UCLA Faculty Research Interests database Should both a sponsoring faculty member and the Urban Planning Chair recommend your appointment, you will be issued a letter of invitation for a specific term or terms.
Visiting Graduate Researchers
A scholar who is currently enrolled in a degree program at his/her home institution and wishes to visit UCLA to pursue independent research, usually in preparation of the doctoral dissertation, or to participate in a prescribed course of study such as a mentored or independent research project or master’s research collaboration with a faculty member, may request Departmental sponsorship as a Visiting Graduate Researcher. Such visits may range from three weeks to 12 months. The maximum stay is 24 months.
How to Apply
- Please send the following materials via e-mail (as attachments, in either *.pdf or *.doc formats) to Robin McCallum, Manager of the Department.
- A cover letter of no more than two pages describing (1) your background and qualifications, (2) your reasons for wanting to visit UCLA, (3) the program of study you intend to pursue while at UCLA, (4) the Urban Planning faculty member who has agreed to serve as your sponsor, and (5) your expected means of support during your visit.
- An academic curriculum vitae.
Should both a sponsoring faculty member and the Urban Planning Chair recommend your appointment, the Department of Urban Planning will issue a letter of invitation for a specific term or terms and the department will submit an on-line VGR Request Form.
You will then receive an e-mail inviting you to apply to the Graduate Division for VGR status.
You will be asked to complete an online VGR application and submit your curriculum vitae and transcript providing proof of current registration at your home institution. You will also receive instructions on how to pay non-refundable fees.
For international visitors, after the Graduate Division provides provisional approval of your application, the department will work with you to submit the DS 2019 Request Form for Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 visa status.
*Please note that effective 1/5/2015, any DS-2019 form issued will require the student or scholar beginning a new J-1 program to demonstrate English language proficiency in one of three ways: 1.) A recognized English language test; or 2.) Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school; or 3.) A documented interview conducted by the faculty supervisor either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option.
In order to insure adequate time for review, it is recommended that you submit your request for departmental placement four to six months in advance of the first academic quarter you plan to study at UCLA.
Fees
The Department of Urban Planning charges a Visiting Graduate Researcher fee. UCLA Graduate Division charges separate fees. Total combined fees will be $5,000 per quarter. (For example an international visitor would pay the Graduate Division fee of $844.88 for the first quarter plus the Urban Planning fee of $4,155.12 for the first quarter. For each additional quarter the Graduate Division Fee would be $284.88 and the Urban Planning fee would be $4,715.12). The Departmental fees and the UCLA fees must be paid separately. These fees cover costs currently charged by the university to process visa applications and Bruin Card applications as well as faculty and staff time in facilitating and advising visiting researchers with their research/study program while at UCLA, administration of the program, and improvements to facilities and equipment.
Visitors are provided with a shared office space based on availability.
Fees must be paid prior to arrival on campus. Please click here to make the Department payment, and send proof of payment to robin@luskin.ucla.edu.
Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral scholars (1) hold a doctoral degree or the foreign equivalent. Unlike Visiting Scholars, Postdoctoral Scholars enroll with the UCLA Graduate Division for an approved research and training program under faculty supervision. Postdoctoral scholars normally apply in response to a formal position announcement, though in some cases the postdoctoral position may be established independently with an individual faculty member.
Postdoctoral scholars in the Department of Urban Planning are relatively rare, as they usually require funding from a research project housed at UCLA, and the funding from these projects is most often reserved for UCLA graduate students. Most postdoctoral positions in the School of Public Affairs are sponsored by research centers, not by academic departments.
Visitors’ Privileges
The Department of Urban Planning will provide visitors with a workspace (if available), a computer account and access to the Luskin School of Public Affairs computer network and e-mail system, and access to the University libraries. Visitors are invited to participate in departmental lectures, seminars, and other activities. Unfortunately we are not able to provide computers.