Visiting Scholars

Applying for visitor status in the Department of Linguistics

Linguistics at Harvard University offers a few categories of visitors to the department. Please read the sections below carefully to determine which one best fits your situation.

Visiting Scholars

The Department hosts visiting scholars who wish to come to Harvard to pursue independent research. The application process for Visiting Scholars is very competitive and generally only applicants possessing a Ph.D., or a Master’s degree with significant teaching and/or research experience, are considered. This appointment is ordinarily granted to individuals on paid leave from a scholarly post elsewhere. Applications are reviewed during faculty meetings each November and April for the next academic year. The key determinant in the acceptance of a Visiting Scholar is whether or not the scholar’s research interests are closely aligned with those of a member of our faculty. Before applying, please take a moment to look at our faculty profiles at this link:

http://linguistics.fas.harvard.edu/people/term/1752

Unfortunately, the Department does not provide any funding to support Visiting Scholars, and, if accepted, visitors must prove they have sufficient funding from other sources to underwrite their living and travel expenses during the term of their visit. We do not provide office space for visitors but they may apply for carrel space in the library. However, Visiting Scholars are welcome to share in the intellectual life of the Department by attending workshops and seminars, auditing courses, and interacting with our faculty and students. In addition, privileges to Harvard’s extensive library facilities are granted.

Information to apply as a Visiting Scholar can be found here.

Visiting Fellows

Visiting Fellows conduct independent research, may audit courses, and are welcome to attend departmental seminars, conferences and workshops. Visiting Fellows are registered as full-time research students in the GSAS and must pay tuition (offered at a reduced rate) and fees. Unfortunately, financial aid is not available to Visiting Fellows.   The most important determining factor for approval by our faculty is whether your field of research closely aligns with that of a faculty member of the department. The application process is very competitive. Before applying, please take a moment to look at our faculty profiles at this link:
http://linguistics.fas.harvard.edu/people/term/1752
 The GSAS Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office handles the application process and all other administrative matters pertaining to Visiting Fellows. Once your application is received, it is processed and forwarded to the department for faculty approval. For more information on the application process and deadlines and other general issues regarding Visiting Fellows, please visit their website:  http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/visiting_fellows_faq.php
Information to apply as a Visiting Fellow can be found below.
http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/apply_online_deadlines_and_requirements.php

Fellow

Fellow status is available to individuals holding a doctoral degree (or its equivalent), as well as to advanced doctoral candidates who have completed all required coursework and would like to pursue dissertation or independent research at Harvard. Fellows may audit courses and are welcome to attend departmental seminars, conferences and workshops.
Applications for Fellow are reviewed by the faculty each November and April for the next academic year. The key determinant in the acceptance of a Fellow is whether or not the scholar’s research interests are closely aligned with those of a member of our faculty. Before applying, please take a moment to look at our faculty profiles at this link:
http://linguistics.fas.harvard.edu/people/term/1752
Information to apply as a Fellow can be found here.

Special Students

Special Students are those who wish to pursue academic enrichment opportunities at Harvard by taking graduate courses on a non-credit basis. The application process is overseen by the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Applicants wishing an affiliation with our Department are passed on to the Department by the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office and are voted upon by our faculty. Please note that Special Students are charged tuition and fees and therefore must supply funding. Unfortunately, financial aid is not available to Special Students.
The GSAS Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office handles the application process and all other administrative matters pertaining to Visiting Fellows. Once your application is received, it is processed and forwarded to the department for faculty approval. For more information on the applications process and other information regarding Special Students, please visit:
http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/special_students_admissions.php

For International Visitors

The Harvard International Office (HIO) website is:

http://www.hio.harvard.edu/

Funding requirements (for Visiting Scholars only): To comply with US Government regulations, the financial minimum for non-medical area international scholar appointments is $30,000 per year for a single scholar and an additional $5,000 for each accompanying family member.
Please visit the Harvard International Office website for information regarding the following:
Immigration, visas, health insurance, housing, travel and other general information.

Department of Linguistics

Harvard University

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