Scholar Program Overview

Welcome to the ISSS Scholar webpage, where you can learn more about inviting and hosting a J-1 international visiting scholar. Hosting an international scholar - generally referred to as J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) - helps enrich research, professional and cultural exchange on campus. Thank you for being a part of building international diversity and culture at UAlbany.

The U.S. Department of State has a long tradition of encouraging educational and cultural exchanges between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The J Exchange Visitor category was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961 and is now part of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

The ISSS Office helps facilitate this program by providing advice and support to hosting departments and their scholars. International scholars are normally non-tenure track researchers or instructors (non-staff positions). Other J-1 exchange visitor categories include foreign university student interns and non-degree cohorts participating in short-term instruction/training programs.

ISSS offers support during the invitation process and provides the immigration document (DS-2019) for scholars to apply for a J-1 visa. ISSS also provides additional information to help the University, hosting departments, and scholars comply with the program requirements of the U.S. Department of State.

Scholar Hosting Categories

UAlbany departments and pre-approved affiliated organizations may invite and host a scholar only if respective criteria are met for the appropriate category below.

Research Scholar

The Research Scholar’s primary activity will be conducting research at UAlbany related to the J-1 program objective and under the guidance of an existing faculty member within an established department; otherwise, teaching may be a secondary activity.
While a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, this category may not be considered for tenure track positions.
The minimum program duration for this category is 3 weeks while the maximum program duration is 5 years, part of which may include time spent at other U.S. institutions prior to joining UAlbany. As an initial time-frame may be only 1 or 2 years, and extension may be possible.

Professor

The Professor’s primary activity will be teaching at UAlbany related to the J-1 program objective and under the guidance of an existing faculty member within an established department; otherwise, research may be a secondary activity.
While a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, this category may not be considered for tenure track positions.
The minimum program duration for this category is 3 weeks while the maximum program duration is 5 years, part of which may include time spent at other U.S. institutions prior to joining UAlbany. As an initial time-frame may be only 1 or 2 years, and extension may be possible.

Short Term Scholar

Short-Term Scholars are professors, researchers, and/or persons with similar education or accomplishments sponsored by the University to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills on a short-term visit.
While the minimum program duration of 3 weeks is waived, participants in this category may not exceed 6 months (extensions not permitted).
This category may be repeated, for instance if the candidate wishes and faculty sponsor supports a return each summer to conduct activities such as research, observing classes, or training faculty.

Student Intern

Exchange visitors in this category must be enrolled in and pursuing studies at a foreign degree-or-certificate-granting-post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. or have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their exchange visitor program.
The Student Intern performs internship duties in the academic department as part of a training program. The intern performs training/internship duties for the department but cannot work in unskilled or casual labor positions, in positions that require or involve childcare, elder care, medical patient care or contact, or positions that require more than 20% clerical or office support work.
The maximum program duration of a Student Intern position is 12 months, and as part of this category the department is required to submit the Training/Internship Placement Plan (form DS-7002)

Non-Degree Student

Non-Degree Students are part of a special student or professional training cohort (non-degree) and authorized to participate in a prescribed program of study or training – an example being a summer teacher training program.
While there is no exact minimum for this category, the maximum program duration for a Non-Degree Student is 24 months.
J-1 degree-seeking or exchange students such as Fulbright may be administered by UAlbany or an external organization; but in either case, Graduate Admissions or International Admissions and Recruitment for undergraduate international students will coordinate the issuance of a DS-2019.

Scholars are Often Self-Funded

The majority of scholars at UAlbany are self-funded, either personally or through their overseas-affiliated institutions. While ISSS assists departments through the immigration processes of inviting and hosting scholars, funds need to be secured from other sources to help support scholars' research and related activities. For more information about funding sources for international scholars at UAlbany visit the J-1 Scholar Funding Sources page.

Scholars may be invited and hosted by UAlbany academic departments, centers and institutes, and some affiliated organizations. Exchange visitors must conduct their full-time scholar/intern activities as outlined in their program objective and at their geographic "site of activity" location listed on the DS-2019 visa document (and as noted in SEVIS).

Below is information and instructions, including information on the J-1 scholar application, scholar categories, departmental responsibilities, funding sources and considerations for sensitive/critical areas of research and countries of concern.

What You Need to Know

The Invitation Process

Departments - please review the invitation process to request a DS-2019 to host a visiting scholar.
Prospective scholars - contact your academic department of interest for more information on program availability within that respective department.

Both departments and scholars should review information about ISSS document issuing fees, possible delays due to university and/or consulate compliance and investigatory procedures, and other requirements prior to applying.

Pre-Arrival Preparation

Incoming scholars must review all pre-arrival requirements, including visa application requirements and what to expect upon arrival.

Post-Arrival Program Requirements

Scholars must complete certain requirements upon arrival to UAlbany. Hosts and scholars should also familiarize themselves with the requirements for maintaining J-1 status while the scholar is participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S.

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this web site/form is provided as a service to international students, faculty and staff at the University at Albany. It does not constitute legal advice. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site or form.

Neither the University at Albany nor ISSS is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel; students may wish to consult an immigration attorney on the specifics of their case as needed.