The International Visiting Researcher Program (IVRP) at Gallaudet University was established to accommodate a limited number of professors, researchers, and other scholars who wish to use the facilities at Gallaudet University each academic year. Gallaudet is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to operate the IVRP program. The Office of Research Support and International Affairs works closely with academic departments and faculty members to extend its resources on a selective basis in the spirit of institutional collegiality, fostering knowledge, and the exchange of information.

Note: IVRP applications for Fall semesters are due April 1. IVRP Applications for the Spring semester are due October 1.

IVRP Application Form

Purpose

Participants in the IVRP should be one of the following:

  1. Degree-seeking students majoring in a discipline related to deafness who are maintaining satisfactory advancement towards the completion of their academic degree.
  2. Teachers or professors seeking a short-term research opportunity or to gather materials for publication.  They must have a career background that establishes their ability to conduct high-level, peer-reviewed scholarly research and desire to establish research collaborations with a faculty member at Gallaudet University.
  3. Professionals working in a field related to deafness who wish to enhance their knowledge in this area.
  4. Doctoral students in a discipline related to deafness who need data or material for an independent research project or dissertation and seek collaborations with faculty members at Gallaudet University.

Qualifications

A request for participation in the IVRP must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  1. A plan to come to Gallaudet University with a specific educational objective related to the scholar's field of study.  Allowable activities include mentored or independent research projects, or master's or doctoral research collaborations.
  2. Training or experience directly related to the individual's field of study. Such training may include, but is not limited to, practice and field work.
  3. Doctoral dissertation research. The individual must be advanced to candidacy or the equivalent at his or her home institution.

In addition, all IVRPs must be sponsored by a faculty member at Gallaudet University or by the Office of Research Support and International Affairs.

Selection

The selection of visiting scholars is based on both an applicant's purpose, demonstrated record of research accomplishment, and the merit of his or her proposed project.

Consideration in the selection process will be given to the following:

    1. The project's relevance to Gallaudet University's mission as "... a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals."
    2. Innovative projects that hold promise for the advancement of deaf and hard of hearing people.
    3. Candidates who are in good health. Applicants will be required to submit a satisfactory medical certificate from a physician.
    4. Candidates who have sufficient command of written English. It is advisable for applicants to be familiar with American Sign Language as well, since this is the first language of the majority of deaf and hard of hearing people on campus.
    5. Candidates with an up to date resume/curriculum vitae.

Duration

The period of stay for IVRPs at Gallaudet University is from three weeks to one year.

Visa Requirements

All IVRPs will be required to obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. Applicants with B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, and J-2 visas may not be eligible.

Please note that a tourist visa (B1/B2/WB/WT) status may be, at first glance, thought of as appropriate; however, if the University benefits from the visit, if equipment and facilities used are owned or operated by the University, if the visitor is involved in a formally structured program if the visit, and/or if the research undertaken might result in published work, patent, or discovery, the use of B1/B2/WB/WT visas will contradict U.S. Department of State guidelines. In such cases, only the J-1 visa would be deemed appropriate.

Financial Certification

Participating in the IVRP requires one to provide sufficient financial support documents that cover the minimum amount time that will be spent in the program, including fees and living expenses. Per Exchange Visitor regulations, at least 51% of the funding support documents must come from a scholarship, fellowship, or a grant/award from the student's home university, a government or nongovernment agency or other organization.  The rest (49%) can come from personal or family funds. Please be advised that visiting researchers must pay their own interpreting fees. Also, the University will charge an admission/application fee of $200 beginning in 2015.

All financial documents provided must be in English or translated into English. (See the application form for a guide.)

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