Visiting Scholars

Find out more about our Visiting Scholars program.

UC San Diego hosts a large number of domestic and international scholars and scientists who do not require official University employment but need an affiliation to use its facilities and participate in its research activities and educational programs. To accommodate the needs of these individuals and recognize their contributions to the intellectual life, the University offers the designation of Visiting Scholar. (See Visiting Scholar Full Policy).

Definitions

A Visiting Scholar is normally a faculty member or researcher from another university, research institution, government agency, or non-profit organization on leave from his/her home institution who visits the University to participate in a collaborative research project or as part of a cooperative agreement, under the supervision of a UCSD faculty member. Visiting scholars may also be part of a University-sponsored educational program or visiting from industry. Visiting scholar appointments are intended to be for short periods, of one year or less.  

A visiting undergraduate student, considered a Visiting Research Scholar Intern, is normally visiting from a non-UC college or university to participate in research as part of an academic course (with learning objectives), or to gain experience that will open up future academic and/or professional opportunities. The intern should not be given work that would normally be given to a paid employee. Proof of enrollment at their home college/university is required.   

A Visiting Graduate Student (VGS) is a pre‐doctoral graduate student (PhD, MA, MS, MBA, MD, or DO) pursuing research at UC San Diego related to their degree program at their home institution. VGS appointments are processed by the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA.)  Please reference their policy for additional information (Non-UC Visiting Graduate Students) or email vgcoordinator@ucsd.edu.

Our office facilitates appointments for visiting scholars and visiting research scholar interns (undergraduates). Detailed information on the appointment process may be found below. 

Appointment Process and Resources 

Details on the appointment process and resources for scholars can be found below: 

• Information for Campus Administrators and Faculty
• Information for Current Visiting Scholars
• Information for Prospective Visiting Scholars
• Medical Insurance for Visiting Scholars
• Vaccination Mandate Compliance Process for Visiting Scholars