# Visiting Scholars Program

**Source**: https://allard.ubc.ca/research/visiting-scholars-program
**Parent**: https://allard.ubc.ca/about-us/our-people/careers-allard-law

The Peter A. Allard School of Law welcomes self-funded visiting faculty from around the world. The Visiting Scholar program provides a valuable opportunity for the exchange of ideas and research as well as the creation of new and ongoing national and international research collaborations. 

## Application Streams [#applications](#)

We accept applications under two streams:

- **Visiting Scholars:** Includes professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and lecturers who have continuing appointments at other universities or academic institutions. Visiting faculty members are often on study leave and are expected to return to their home institutions at the end of the visit.
- **Visiting Judges:** Includes judges covered by existing Memoranda of Understanding and Statements of Cooperation. Visiting judges should visit the [Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) webpage](https://allard.ubc.ca/research/research-centres-and-programs/centre-asian-legal-studies "Centre for Asian Legal Studies") for more information.

## Intake Dates and Deadlines [#intake](#)

To allow sufficient lead time for immigration and visa arrangements, applications are reviewed twice a year:

- **April Adjudication**: for fall arrival
- **October Adjudication:** for spring arrival

## Visiting Scholar Application Requirements [#visiting](#)

### Expectations

The core expectation of Visiting Scholars is to engage in scholarly research activity during their visit. Such activity may include meeting with faculty and graduate students, providing talks or lectures, collecting sources, conducting data collection or analysis, attending talks, and writing. Visiting Scholars are also permitted to audit one course.

### Allard School of Law Faculty Sponsor

All applicants require either a full-time or an emeriti faculty member as a sponsor. Before applying, applicants must review the faculty profiles to identify a faculty member working in their area of research and contact them to ask if they are willing to sponsor the visit.

Faculty sponsors must provide an email or letter (approximately 200 words) indicating their willingness to serve as a sponsor and describing the benefits of the visit to Allard Law and any potential ongoing research collaborations.

### Application Form and Supplementary Materials

Once you have secured a faculty sponsor, please complete the [**Visiting Scholar Application Form (PDF)**](https://allard.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2025-02/visiting%20scholar%20application_form_updated%20Feb%202025.pdf) and send it to the address indicated on the form. Please include the following supporting documents:

- An email or letter from your Allard School of Law faculty sponsor;
- A research plan (approximately 150-200 words
- Your current curriculum vitae (including name, position, and contact information for 2 referees);
- A letter from your Dean/Department Head/supervisor on letterhead confirming institutional affiliation or continuing academic appointment; and
- A copy of the photo page of your valid passport.

### Criteria for Adjudication

The selection process is competitive and the Allard School of Law cannot accommodate all applicants. Applications are evaluated based on:

- Submission of a complete application form with all required documentation;
- A robust application that sets out a clear research plan and a connection to a faculty sponsor;
- A demonstrated interest in the Allard School of Law (e.g., interest in the research of specific faculty members, events, graduate students, research centres, or other UBC resources); and
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations.
- *Visiting Judges*must also be covered under an existing agreement with the Allard School of Law and approved by the Director of the Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS).

### Fees

Allard Law does not currently charge an application fee. There is a monthly fee of $300 to cover the administrative and institutional costs of the program. Full payment of monthly fees is due upon arrival. 

### General Information

- *Office Space:* The Allard School of Law has a limited supply of shared office space (maximum 10 spots) that may be available, subject to demand. Please indicate on your application if you require desk space.
- *Administrative Support:* Visiting scholars are not provided with administrative support during their visit beyond initial onboarding. The Allard School of Law will provide free, secure Wi-Fi, and library privileges.
- *Duration:* Visits typically range from three to six months in length.
- *Visitor/Work Visas:* Allard Law faculty and staff will not provide assistance on immigration or work visas. It is the Visiting Scholar’s responsibility to ensure all immigration requirements for their visit to the Allard School of Law are met. Visitors may contact the Canadian immigration office in their home country to make the necessary arrangements.
- *Accommodations:* Visitors are responsible for finding their own accommodation.

## Contact Us [#contact](#)

Please direct any questions to [visitingscholars@allard.ubc.ca](mailto:visitingscholars@allard.ubc.ca).

## Other Visiting Scholar Opportunities [#other](#)

The [Global South Visiting Scholar (GSVS) program](https://allard.ubc.ca/research/visiting-scholars-program/global-south-visiting-scholar-residence-program) hosts an exceptional scholar from the Global South for a short-term, fully funded visiting scholar in-residence program.

For graduate student visiting opportunities at UBC, please see the [UBC Visiting International Research Student website](https://goglobal.ubc.ca/go-global/coming-ubc/visiting-international-research-students) and direct queries to Go Global.