IGS has a long tradition of welcoming visiting scholars from the United States and abroad. Visiting Scholars usually must hold a Ph.D. degree or have achieved a comparable level of professional accomplishment in some field related to the mission of IGS. Visiting Student Researchers and Postdoctoral candidates are also eligible to apply. Priority is given to scholars whose research meshes with the research programs of Berkeley scholars affiliated with IGS and the activities of the various Centers within IGS. Visiting Scholars must be nominated and sponsored by a Berkeley faculty member.
IGS provides visitors with shared office space, if appropriate, and access to university libraries, seminars and lectures, and modest use of IGS computing, telephones, and fax facilities. Visitors do not receive stipends, travel assistance, or moving/housing expenses.
How to Apply
We strongly urge potential visitors to begin the inquiry process at least six months or more before expected arrival date in Berkeley.
For consideration to be granted IGS visiting scholar status, send a letter of inquiry outlining your research project, the name of the Berkeley faculty sponsor, and resume to:
Barbara Campbell
Management Services Officer
Institute of Governmental Studies
115B Moses Hall, #2370
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-2370
510-642-5658
barbcampbell [at] berkeley [dot] edu
Fees
Berkeley campus fee
Each visitor is required to pay an annual $400 University Service Fee to the Berkeley campus to obtain a campus ID card and to have access to the Berkeley Libraries and University facilities. This fee is collected by the Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs office (VSPA) and paid online after the scholar is approved.
IGS fees
Current fees:
Resident Student Researchers (those provided office space at IGS):
$300 per semester or part of a semester
Non-resident Student Researchers (those without office space):
$200 per semester or part of a semester
Resident Visiting Scholars (those provided office space at IGS):
$500 per semester or part of a semester
Non-resident Visiting Scholars (those without office space):
$350 per semester or part of a semester
All fees are non-refundable. Visiting Scholars will be notified about the availability of office space at the time of application review.
Foreign Visitors (DS-2019) fee
There is an assessment of $425 charged for the application processing of a DS-2019 document needed to secure a J-1 visa.
Unless otherwise noted, all fees should be paid by check or money orders and made payable to the Regents of the University of California.
Checks for the IGS fee and the DS-2019 fee (if applicable) should be sent along with the application documents to Barbara Campbell at the above address, after being accepted by the Institute.
Health Insurance Requirements
Effective December 1, 2010, all international and domestic visiting scholars and visiting student researchers will be required to show proof of medical coverage that meets specified benefit levels. Visiting scholars and visiting student researchers will not be granted access to campus services until they have satisfied the insurance requirement. They will be required to enroll in the new plan or be granted a waiver of enrollment within 31 days of their appointment begin date. Currently, the new plan is available on a voluntary basis for active and incoming visiting scholars and visiting student researchers.
The University has partnered with Garnett Powers & Associates (GPA) who will assist in the implementation of this new program. Effective immediately, GPA customer service staff are available to answer any questions from visiting scholars, visiting student researchers, and campus staff regarding plan design, benefits coverage, enrollment procedures, or claim issues.
The GPA staff may be reached via a toll free customer service line at 800.441.3719, or via e-mail at UCBVSBP [at] Garnett-Powers [dot] com .
To view plan details or to enroll in the plan, individuals may visit the UCBVSBP web site at http://www.garnett-powers.com/academics/ucb/.
Should you have any questions about this new program, please contact Kathleen Gage of University Health Services via telephone at 510.642.5742 or by e-mail at kgage [at] uhs [dot] berkeley [dot] edu.
Learn More
The following University of California websites will give you more information about Visiting Scholar requirements for domestic and international scholars: