Scholar Eligibility Requirements
Scholars should contact the school or department that they are interested in working with directly. UNCP schools and departments are responsible for reviewing scholar applications, evaluating scholars research proposals, and determining space availability. After the scholar is accepted by the department, Global Engagement will assist with the immigration paperwork.
Immigration Requirements for Short-term and Research Scholars
Research Scholars/ Professors
- The scholar's primary purpose for being in the United States must be to conduct research, teach, lecture, observe, or consult.
- Scholars must have completed at least a Bachelor's Degree.
- Scholars must be able to prove that they have enough funding for the duration of their stay. This funding may be personal, from a third party, or from UNCP.
- All scholars are required to have health insurance throughout the period of their program. If they have dependents with them, then the dependents must be fully insured as well.
- Scholars will be subject to an assessment of English Proficiency in order to participate in this program. The assessment will be in the form of an in-person or video conference interview with a member of the sponsoring academic department and a member of the Global Engagement staff. Scholars should provide a copy of their passport prior to the interview in order to verify their identity.
- Scholars are not allowed to take tenure-track positions due to the temporary non-immigrant nature of their program.
- Clinical work is not permitted.
- Research Scholars / Professors are subject to a 5-year maximum limit.
Please note that according to the regulations of the Research Scholars/ Professors are subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation, regardless of the length of their program. Scholars may also be subject to the 212(e) 2-year home residency requirement.
Short Term Scholars
- Short-term scholars are professors, research scholars, or people with similar education or accomplishments who enter the United States for a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
- Scholars must have completed at least a Bachelor's Degree
- Scholars must be able to prove that they have enough funding for the duration of their stay. This funding may be personal, from a third party, or from UNCP.
- All scholars are required to have health insurance throughout the period of their program. If they have dependents with them, then the dependents must be fully insured as well.
- Scholars will be subject to an assessment of English Proficiency in order to participate in this program. The assessment will be in the form of an in-person or video conference interview with a member of the sponsoring academic department and a member of the Global Engagement staff. Scholars should provide a copy of their passport prior to the interview in order to verify their identity.
- Scholars are not allowed to take tenure-track positions due to the temporary non-immigrant nature of their program.
- Clinical work is not permitted.
- Short-term scholars are subject to a 6-month limit.
Exchange Visitors
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is a Federal program administered by the Department of State. They promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Exchange Visitor Program provides eligible foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs within the United States and then return home to share their experiences.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is organized into a number of different categories. UNCP has been designated to sponsor the following categories: student, student intern, professor, research scholar and short-term scholar. UNCP's Office of Global Engagement (OGE) has trained officers who can help you understand applicable federal, state and university regulations and policies.
It is important to remember that the Exchange Visitor Program at UNCP is not a pathway to work in the US. Rather, it is intended to further the educational, cultural, and research interests of the scholar and the needs of the faculty sponsor, grant program, or University.
Visiting Scholars
Faculty members and administrators from around the world are invited to apply to UNCP’s Visiting Scholar Program. This initiative affords international scholars an economical opportunity to come to UNCP for a period of one semester or one year for research and study.
This program gives accepted scholars access to UNCP’s library and research centers; the ability to observe classes; and the chance to interact with UNCP students, faculty, and administrators. Scholars will also have the opportunity to participate in cultural enrichment and travel opportunities within the United States. Global Engagement offers a wide variety of cultural events and opportunities on the UNCP campus and in the local region.
Foreign Scholars should contact the school or department that they are interested in working with directly. UNCP schools and departments are responsible for reviewing scholar applications, evaluating scholars research proposals, determining space availability, and arranging transportation at the airport. After the scholar is accepted by the department, Global Engagement will assist with the immigration paperwork.
To identify an appropriate department for your program of research please visit the link HERE.
Teaching Abroad
UNCP encourages faculty to teach abroad.
Magellan
The Magellan Exchange offers approved faculty members at Magellan partner institutions the opportunity for short-term professional development and research collaboration experiences through its faculty exchange program.
Fulbright
The Fulbright program offers faculty a wide range of options to teaching abroad. There are many opportunities that should be considered. Some options are:
Provide expertise while gaining hands-on public sector experience in participating foreign countries while simultaneously carrying out an academic research/study project.
Awards in the Fulbright Distinguished Chairs Program are viewed as among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Candidates should be senior scholars and have a significant publication and teaching record.
English Teaching Assistant Program
Improve foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States while increasing the U.S. student's own language skills and knowledge of the host country.
International Education Administers Program
The International Education Administers (IEA) seminars program helps international education professionals and senior higher education officials from the United States create empowering connections with the societal, cultural and higher education systems of other countries.
The Fulbright Specialist Program sends U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development, institutional planning, and related subjects at academic institutions abroad for a period of 2 to 6 weeks. Contact World Learning at: fulbrightspecialist.worldlearning.org.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends approximately 800 American scholars and professionals per year to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.
Ludwigsburg University
Ludwigsburg University is a partner school with UNCP. The Lectureship Program allows UNCP faculty to apply for a short term teaching opportunity at Ludwigsburg in Germany. Interested faculty should check out information about Ludwigsburg: HERE or review and fill out an application for the program.