How to apply :: Visiting Scholars
Prospective CEUS Visiting Scholars must provide the following information.
Mail the items to Indiana University Department of Central Eurasian Studies, 1011 E. Third Street, Goodbody Hall 157, Bloomington, IN 47405-7005; or fax to 1-812-855-7500; or send as e-mail attachments to kniggle@indiana.edu using subject line “Visiting Scholar.”
1. Brief description of the research project
2. Description of expected end product from the research. This is usually, but not always, a publication. Name the targeted journal or press
3. Curriculum vita
4. Description of the IU resources which make a CEUS visiting research scholar appointment necessary to the project.
5. Name of the CEUS professor who has agreed to serve as your CEUS sponsor.
6. Justification for appointment in CEUS instead of another IU unit such as Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, School of Education, Department of Political Science, etc.
NOTE #6A: Each IU school and department sets its own conditions for accepting visiting scholars. Some will arrange faculty sponsors. Some can provide office space. The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, http://www.indiana.edu/~iaunrc, works with JFTP, OSI, Fulbright visitors, and others. An initial appointment in CEUS cannot exceed twelve months but might be renewable. The IU School of Education, http://www.education.indiana.edu/visitingscholar, allows initial appointments up to three years.
7. IU Personal Profile ED form. The form is available at http://www.indiana.edu/~uhrs/hrms/ppforms.html
NOTE #7A: Non-US citizens only-- Photocopy of the passport identification page or pages (photo, name, birthdate, passport expiration date).
NOTE #7B: Non-US citizens will be denied entry at the US border if the passport expires within six months of your arrival, so renew in advance of travel. It is not necessary to renew before submitting the DS-2019 application form to IU.
8. IU Personal Profile PS form from website, http://www.indiana.edu/~uhrs/pubs/forms/hrms/ps.pdf.
9. Your telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.
10. Non-US citizens only-- DS-2019 (J-1 visa) application (electronic form initiated by CEUS):
NOTE #10A: CEUS asks J-1 visa visitors to apply no less than four months in advance (we prefer six to twelve months) to allow time for Indiana University processing, embassy/consulate visa interview, etc. In some cases, the visa process could take six months to a year.
NOTE #10B: If your visit is brief, request a B-1/B-2 visa (Visitor for Business/Pleasure) instead of a J-1 visa.
NOTE #10C: See website www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa.html for a list of countries eligible to travel to the U.S. without a visa. Recently enacted US policy requires Canadians, Swedes and other visa waiver program travelers to present either a machine readable passport or a US visa at the US point of entry. For more information about temporary visits to the US, see www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors.html.
NOTE #10D: Tell us if you plan to visit other universities for research before or after Indiana University. The visa transfer process between institutions is simplified if this is discussed before the DS-2019 is prepared. Visitors who plan to do research at more than one US university should process the DS-2019 application through the first university and ask that both institutions be listed on the DS-2019 form.
NOTE #10E: You must arrive in the US and visit the IU Office of International Services (for SEVIS data entry) within 30 days of the date listed as the arrival date on the DS-2019 form.
NOTE #10F: The initial visiting research scholar appointment in CEUS cannot exceed twelve months. Renewals in CEUS cannot exceed twelve months per request and are subject to a review of progress toward your research proposal and approval of your home institution (non-US citizens).
NOTE #10G: If you are currently in the US, provide current visa status, location and dates instead of this DS-2019 application.
Provide the following information so CEUS can complete the DS-2019 (J-1 visa) electronic application:
- Passport – Last name
- Passport – First name
- Passport – Middle name
- Date of birth (Month/Day/Year)
- Gender
- City of birth
- Country of birth
- Country of citizenship
- Country of permanent residence
- Will you be accompanied by family?
If yes, send photocopies of each passport photo/name page and provide details for EACH accompanying dependent:Full Name (exactly as it is written in passport
Relationship (husband, wife, son, daughter)
Date of Birth (Month/Day/Year)
Place of Birth (City and Country)
Country of Permanent Residence
Citizenship
U.S. Social Security number, if anyNOTE: If family will not accompany you but will visit while you are in the U.S., tell us now so we can prepare the proper visa documents.
- List any other institutions you will visit on business during your time in the US. For each planned visit provide the institution name, full address, and dates of the visit.
- Are you currently in the U.S.? If yes, give current visa status.
- If you are currently in the US, do you plan to travel outside the US before coming to IU? If yes, give the departure date and re-entry date.
- Have you previously been in U.S. on a J Visa? If yes, give approximate begin and end dates.
- Have you previously been at Indiana University? If yes, give approximate begin and end dates.
- Estimated date of arrival in the US (You can enter the US up to 30 days before or after this date.)
- Estimated date of departure from the US (You can leave the US at anytime before this date and up to 30 days after this date; or seek extension of visa.)
- Last occupation (job title) in home country (Researcher, Professor, Graduate Student, Other-explain)
- Name/Location of Institution, Agency or Organization of last occupation (job title listed above)
- Specific subject/field of proposed research at Indiana University
- Source and amount of funding (send proof such as a letter of support from your university or government, or a personal bank statement, etc.)
- Mailing address we should use to send the approved DS-2019 (J-1 visa) form to you
11. Non-US citizens only-- Proof of adequate finances. The US government requires proof of at least $1200 per month. Additional funds are required if family accompany you ($783/month for the first dependent; $300/month for each additional dependent).
NOTE #11A: If your financial support is outside Indiana University, provide proof such as a copy of your bank statement showing personal funds. If your support is from an agency, business or government, submit an letter certifying financial support on official stationery and specifying the amount of support in US dollars and the dates covered.
12. Non-US citizens only-- Address to which CEUS should mail the DS-2019 (J-1 visa application form) when it has been approved by Indiana University. If Express Mail is used, the visitor or an IU sponsor other than CEUS must pay the express mailing fee.
13. Non-US citizens only-- US law effective September 1, 2004 requires visa applicants to pay a $100 fee to the US government before a visa can be issued by the US Embassy or Consulate. See https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml. Indiana University will send payment instructions to you with the approved DS-2019 form. When you go to the US Embassy or Consulate for your personal interview, you must take a receipt from the US government showing payment of the $100 fee.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Two CEUS faculty members will review the research proposal and cv and make a recommendation to the department chair to approve or disapprove the request. A regular CEUS faculty member must agree to "sponsor" the visitor. Faculty sponsors assist the visitor in accessing research materials and appropriate faculty and answer questions about Bloomington (housing, etc.) or campus policy. Please look at the list of CEUS faculty at http://www.indiana.edu/~ceus/faculty/ and contact a CEUS professor directly to discuss your research project and request faculty sponsorship. Visiting scholars are expected to have regular contact with their faculty sponsor.
The initial visiting research scholar appointment cannot exceed twelve months. When scholars request renewal we ask for a progress report on the original project. Renewals are limited to twelve months per request.
If you are accepted you will receive appointment in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies as an Indiana University Visiting Scholar. This is an unpaid academic status that permits a university identity card, full access to the library, an Indiana University e‑mail account (the e-mail password gives access to the internet at computer locations across campus; the campus also has wireless capability) and, for a fee, access to campus photocopy facilities, recreational facilities, etc.
The appointment does not provide compensation or other financial assistance. CEUS cannot provide a work space, computer, or telephone. When you arrive on campus you can request a "study carrel", an assigned table at the library so you'll have a place to leave library books you want to reserve but don't want to take home each day.
The primary activity of Visiting Scholars in CEUS is research, not class attendance. CEUS visiting scholars can make valuable contributions to IU classes, but cannot register for academic credit.
CEUS visiting scholar must have English language proficiency sufficient for research and day-to-day living before applying to CEUS.
International scholars on US visas can bring family members to the US as dependents if they comply with US government criteria regarding finances and health insurance. J-2 dependents are eligible to work in the US. The initial employment authorization application process takes about three months, as does each renewal. CEUS does not assist J-2 dependent job searches. J-1 visa scholars themselves are not eligible for employment in the US unless they can prove the work is directly related to their research. IU International Services helps make that determination.
The US Government requires visa visitors to have health insurance while in the US. You can purchase insurance after you arrive, through a company affiliated with the university or through any insurance provider. IU International Services provides information that will be sent with your approved DS-2019 visa application form. Insurance through the company affiliated with the university is expensive. Short-term health insurance through an insurance company in your home country may be significantly less expensive and is acceptable if you bring proof the insurer will make payment for services received in the United States. The insurance coverage must meet the minimum amounts required by the US Government: $50,000 per accident or illness, $10,000 for medical evacuation, and $7,500 for repatriation. Women must also have $50,000 maternity coverage. Health insurance is also required for accompanying family members. Before you purchase insurance, confirm these minimums with IU International Services or a US Government website.
The Department of Central Eurasian Studies does not arrange housing for Visiting Scholars. It is necessary for each scholar to make his or her own living arrangements. Indiana University offers a variety of housing options on campus. See housing application and costs at the website of Division of Residential Programs and Services, http://www.rps.indiana.edu. Prices are provided for full semesters and can be pro-rated for shorter stays. Visitors, faculty and staff pay 10% more than the student rates.
On-campus housing, in general, is not the most affordable option but does have the advantage of reservation in advance and includes utilities. Local telephone service is also included, but visitors must provide their own telephone. Most residence hall (dormitory) housing requires purchase of a meal plan. Mandatory meal plans tend to be expensive; ask for prices when you apply. There are a few expensive on-campus VIP apartments that are completely outfitted with furniture, linens and kitchen utensils. All other on-campus apartments are unfurnished (completely empty).
Many visiting scholars prefer off-campus housing. Off-campus apartment hunting may be difficult at certain times of the year. Immediate housing is most readily available in May and in August. Most property owners expect a one year lease (agreement to occupy and pay monthly rent on that property for 12 months). There are fewer options for those staying here for less than twelve months, but housing is available.
For hotel information, see http://www.visitbloomington.com. It may be difficult to find a hotel room at the start of the school year and during football weekends.
Some of your questions may be answered through the Search feature at the Indiana University website, www.iub.edu. There is also an Events Calendar there.
It is best to make advance arrangements for transportation from the Indianapolis Airport to Bloomington but it is possible to buy a ticket at the airport Ground Transportation Center. See www.bloomingtonshuttle.com and www.classictouchlimo.com/main.html.
