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Applications
What if I don’t have my Doctorate yet, but will get it soon?
What if I don’t have a PhD, but I have several years of experience in my field?
What is the difference between a Post-doctoral Fellow and a Visiting Scholar?
How should I prove my English ability?
Can I defer my acceptance at CES?
How long can I remain at CES as a Visiting Scholar?
Visas
What/Where is the HIO?
If I must leave the U.S. briefly to visit home, will I face problems when I re-enter?
What is the difference between Short-Term Scholar and a Research Scholar?
How can I prove my financial support, and what are the amounts necessary?
Can my spouse and children accompany me?
Can my fiancé/fiancé or partner accompany me?
What if I already have a visa?
May I stay on just a tourist visa?
Being a Visiting Scholar
What will I be required to do as a Visiting Scholar at CES?
Can I apply for a research assistant as a Visiting Scholar?
Can I take classes at Harvard or other universities in the area?
How can I apply for a stipendiary position?
Will I have Library access?
Will I have office space at CES?
Does CES provide computers / printing / email / internet access / mailboxes / telephones?
Living In Cambridge
Do I need Health Insurance? How can I get it?
How can I find housing?
Where is there to eat in the Harvard/Cambridge Area?
How difficult is public transportation/bicycles/getting a car?
How do I get my Harvard ID?
How is the weather and how should I dress?
Applications
What if I don’t have my Doctorate yet, but will get it soon?
Unfortunately, we do not accept pre-doctorates as Visiting Scholars. Candidates must possess a PhD at the time of application.
What if I don’t have a PhD, but I have several years of experience in my field?
On occasion CES accepts highly qualified non-academics with at least seven years of professional experience, such as journalists, as visitors. If you are interested in visiting in this capacity and have a research project to undertake, please contact the Executive Director, Dr. Patricia Craig at pcraig@fas.harvard.edu.
What is the difference between a Post-doctoral Fellow and a Visiting Scholar?
CES accepts two types of researchers in the Visiting Scholars Program: Visiting Scholars and Post-doctoral Fellows. Visiting Scholars are post-doctoral scholars on leave from an academic (or, in some cases, professional) position.
Post-doctoral Fellows are recent doctoral graduates who have received their PhD within the last 3 years and who may not yet have held a teaching position. Both positions carry the same privileges and obligations in the Visiting Scholars Program. Please note that CES does not accept pre-doctoral candidates.
How should I prove my English ability?
Providing a brief, signed letter attesting to English abilities or TOEFL scores will suffice.
Can I defer my stay at CES?
Visitors may defer only within the same academic year for which they applied. Accepted fellows who wish to change their plans to a new academic year must re-submit their application. If you wish to come to CES within 2 years of the original acceptance, please ask to have your file reactivated and the committee can re-assess your original application.
How long can I remain at CES as a Visiting Scholar?
Appointments have a minimum of three months and a maximum of one year. Please note that a period of three years is required from the end of your appointment before you are eligible to re-apply to the program.
Visas
What/Where is the HIO?
The Harvard International Office (HIO) is an important resource for Visiting Scholars. It is located at Holyoke Center Room 864, 1850 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA. The HIO provides information on a wide range of topics, including visas, work permits, travel, financial questions, social and cultural differences, and personal concerns. Their website is http://hio.harvard.edu/.
If I must leave the U.S. briefly to visit home, will I face problems when I re-enter?
No, not if you are entering with a valid J visa, which allows for multiple entries.
What is the difference between a Short Term Scholar and a Research Scholar?
J-1 short term scholars engaged in research and/or teaching may remain in the United States for up to six months. No extensions are permitted beyond six months. Paid employment for J-1 short-term scholars is permitted only if it is described on the Form DS-2019 issued to the J-1 visa holder.
J-1 visa holders in the Research Scholar or Professor category may remain in the United States for up to five years on the J-1 visa. There are some restrictions to this category. Individuals who have been in the United States as J-1 visa holders in any category for more than 6 months are not eligible for the Research Scholar or Professor category unless they have been outside the United States for the previous 12 months. Research scholars and/or professors who complete their J-1 programs and leave the United States may not be eligible to return as J-1 visa holders in the Research Scholar or Professor Category for 24 months.
How can I prove my financial support, and what are the amounts necessary?
The U.S. government requires financial proof of $25,000 per year to apply for a J-1 visa. If you plan on bringing a spouse and/or children, you must provide additional proof for $6,000 per year for a spouse, $3,000 per year for the first child, and $1,000 per year for each additional child. If you apply for a J-1 visa, the US Embassy or Consulate will require proof of such funding.
Can my spouse and children accompany me?
Yes, you may bring your spouse and children under age 21 with you. For visa applicants, you must show financial proof of $6,000 per year for a spouse, $3,000 per year for the first child, and $1,000 per year for each additional child. Spouses are also eligible for limited library privileges at Harvard's FAS libraries. Please contact the Library Privileges Office, Room 130, in Widener Library, for more information.
Can my fiancée/fiancé or partner accompany me?
No. Although Massachusetts and most New England states now allow for same-sex marriage, they are not recognized on a federal level. Only spouses of opposite-sex marriages will be valid for J-2 visas. Please contact the HIO for alternative possible visa options for your fiancée/fiancé, partner or same-sex spouse. Note that domestic partners are eligible for limited library privileges at HarvardÕs FAS libraries. Please contact the Library Privileges Office, Room 130, in Widener Library, for more information.
What if I already have a visa?
Please inform CES if you currently hold a visa to the United States. You may be required to apply for a change of status or a program transfer.
May I stay on just a tourist visa?
A tourist visa lasts up to 3 months without the possibility of extension. If you will be in the U.S. for less than 3 months, then you may enter on a tourist visa. Please note that you cannot enter on a tourist visa and stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Exchange visa.
Being a Visiting Scholar
What will I be required to do as a Visiting Scholar at CES?
Visiting Scholars are required to attend the weekly Visiting Scholars Brown Bag Lunch Seminar, as well as to be available for consultation with graduate students and to participate in sessions for undergraduate students who are writing senior theses.
Can I apply for a research assistant as a Visiting Scholar?
Yes, the Center offers Visiting Scholars the chance to apply for an undergraduate research assistant. The Center will also pay the student’s wages.
Can I take classes at Harvard or other universities in the area?
As a Visiting Scholar, you can sit in on most classes at Harvard as an auditor. As a courtesy, it is recommended to always ask permission of the instructor first. These courses may not be taken for credit. Language classes are usually excluded and professors running small seminars may prohibit auditors.
How can I apply for a stipendiary position?
Visit our Funding webpage to view upcoming stipendiary Fellowships for Visiting Scholars.
Will I have Library access?
Yes, accepted visitors will have a research appointment with full access to HarvardÕs Library Systems.
Will I have office space at CES?
While we do offer office space at CES, offices are limited and are not guaranteed.
Does CES provide computers / printing / email / internet access / mailboxes / telephones?
CES does not provide Visiting Scholars with a computer, so we recommend bringing a laptop. Our IT Staff will assist you with any computer needs. CES provides internet access via Ethernet or wireless connections. We also have pubic computers within the building that Visiting Scholars are welcome to use at any time. Mailboxes are provided for all visiting scholars and those who are given an office will also have a telephone with a personal extension.
Are there any fees involved with the Visiting Scholars Program?
Yes. All visiting scholars will be assessed a $500 processing fee per semester (or per 4 month period). Payment to CES is due upon arrival. In addition, international visitors applying for visas are responsible for paying all the fees associated with the visa, such as the Visa Application Fee, SEVIS Fee, telephone fees for making the Embassy/Consulate appointment, and Visa Issuance Fee.
Living in Cambridge
Do I need Health Insurance? How can I get it?
According to the U.S. Government, all visitors on J visas must have health insurance while they are in the U.S. Visitors with J visas should consult the Harvard International Office (HIO) in regards to current health insurance information by visiting their website at http://hio.harvard.edu.
How can I find housing?
There are many resources available to find housing in the Cambridge and Boston areas. Although Harvard University does not offer affiliated housing or provide housing services, we can offer some helpful recommendations through our housing guide.
Where is there to eat in the Harvard/Cambridge Area?
There are many restaurants and cafes within close walking distance of CES. For a list of nearby locations, visit the Harvard Square website at http://www.harvardsquare.com.
How difficult is public transportation/bicycles/getting a car?
The MBTA offers subway, bus, and train services in and around Boston that will take you to and from CES and Harvard. Visit www.mbta.com for maps and details. Bicycles are also recommended for the warmer months, but it may be difficult in the winter due to the cold weather and snow. Also, past Visiting Scholars are noted that renting or buying a car during their stay has proved to be very inconvenient. Driving in Boston can be very difficult for newcomers, and also very expensive. A convenient and low-cost alternative to purchasing or renting a car is Zipcar, which offers a discounted rate to Harvard affiliates.
How do I get my Harvard ID?
Your Harvard ID will be very important for setting up your computer account and getting into most libraries on campus. Visit the ID Services Office, Room 953 on the 9th Floor of Holyoke Center (Mass Ave in Harvard Square) after you check in at CES to obtain your ID.
How is the weather and how should I dress?
Cambridge experiences wide ranges of weather during the year. Autumn is pleasant and sometimes cool, winters tend to be very cold and snowy, spring is usually brief but wet and rainy, and summers are normally hot and humid. Please dress accordingly.