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Visiting Scholars

Each year, the IU Maurer School of Law welcomes selected visiting scholars from all over the world in residence who are engaged in non-degree research. We invite applications for the Visiting Scholars Program (VSP) from faculty members or fellows at other universities, practicing attorneys who are preparing for an academic career, judges, or students working towards a doctoral degree or doing postgraduate work at another institution. Preference will be given to visitors who are working on research in collaboration with Maurer professors, or who have connections with the Law School through our wide network of international partnerships.  Applications for the Visiting Scholar Program are administered by a selection committee in the Office for International Programs.

Visiting scholars are expected to participate actively in the intellectual community at the IU Maurer School of Law. This could include attending lectures and conferences organized by the Law School or conversations with our graduate students and faculty about the scholar’s research. Visiting scholars will be asked to submit a brief report to the Assistant Dean for International Programs before their departure to their home country. That report should include progress made on their research during their visit, how the research will benefit the visiting scholar’s career, and suggestions for the International Programs Committee about the VSP.

The Law School is unable to accommodate all those who express interest in the VSP. In selecting candidates for the program, the selection committee considers the candidate’s background and field of interest; professional and scholarly achievements; appropriateness of the research proposal; availability of IU Maurer School of Law faculty to consult with in the proposed research area; and the candidate’s English language proficiency.

Visiting Scholars may make use of the following services:

• A carrel at the IU Maurer School of Law library with access to power and wireless
• Unlimited printing in the law library
• Free access to LexisNexis, Westlaw, and ExpressO accounts
• 24-hour IT support, except computer equipment: scholars are expected to bring their own laptop if they want to work in the law school building
• Faculty status for parking and borrowing materials from the library
• Free campus and city bus transportation
• Access to on-campus housing, sports facilities, libraries and other campus facilities
• Visa documents and immigration status support from the Office of International Services
• Auditing of a limited number of courses on a non-credit basis with pre-approval of the course instructor

Registration Fee

Each visiting scholar is charged a registration free to be paid prior to arrival. For academic year 2013-2014 the fee is $500 per semester for alumni and faculty members from partner institutions, and $1,000 per semester for non-faculty members.  If the student is admitted to the VSP, the registration fee will be waived for sponsored PhD research students (e.g., Fulbright, China Scholarship Council). Payment information will be provided once the scholar is admitted. No financial aid from the Law School is available for participants in this program. Duration of the stay can be up to one academic year. To pay the registration fee, click here to be taken to a secure website.

Insurance, Housing, and Transportation

Visiting scholars are required to purchase health insurance for themselves and their families. More information about health insurance, housing, and public transportation can be found at the Office of International Services website (click on the tab “Faculty, Staff, & Visitors.”)

Visa Information

Most international visiting scholars staying for longer than 90 days will be eligible for a J-1 research scholar visa to come to Maurer.  In most cases, the IU Office of International Services will supply scholars and their dependents with the necessary visa documents. Scholars will need to submit documentation in the form of biographical data, passport copies, and evidence of financial support in order to receive the J-1 visa. In order to demonstrate that they have financial support sufficient to cover their living expenses in Bloomington, scholars must show via bank statements, letters from employers, or letters from sponsors that they have access to the following: For one person to live in Bloomington for 12 months,  the estimated minimum cost is $14,400 USD ($1,200 per month). That cost rises with each accompanying dependent ($500 per month for first dependent/spouse; $300 per month for each additional dependent). A family of four should budget at least $2,300 per month for living expenses.