Visiting Student Researchers

Application Information for Visiting Student Researchers

Every year, IES welcomes a select number of Visiting Student Researchers from its partner universities in Europe. This Program is designed for current Masters and PhD students who participate in exchange agreements through the following universities:

The University of Cologne, Germany

The University of Hamburg, Germany

The University of Regensburg, Germany

The University of Luxembourg

The University of Uppsala, Sweden

All universities in Austria through the Austrian Marshall Foundation

PhD students from other European universities will be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on exceptional approval by the IES Director.

Students who wish to be considered should review the following information:

1. Students from our partner universities cannot apply directly to IES. Rather, they must apply through the international office at their home university that is responsible for the selection of candidates. Candidates must be selected by their home university at least 6 months prior to the start of their planned stay at Berkeley.
2. PhD students from other European universities must submit a proposal to the IES Director for exceptional approval, using the guidelines explained on our Visiting Scholars Application Information page (no need to include a public lecture proposal, this is only for faculty).
3. Non-U.S. citizens will apply for a J1 Exchange Visitor Visa supported by UC Berkeley. Students may only initiate the visa application process after receiving a confirmation letter from the IES Director and approval of their case by the Berkeley Visiting Scholar & Postdoc Affairs Office (VSPA). Note that visa processing requires a minimum of 3 months.
4. Students must demonstrate proficiency in English and cannot rely on staff support for translation services. Visit the VSPA site for more information on English language proficiency requirements. Upon verification, a confirmation of demonstrated proficiency in English can be issued by the IES Director.
5. Students must have their own source of funding and will be asked to provide evidence that they can cover their own health insurance during their entire stay in the United States. The Institute does not provide funding or health insurance for Visiting Student Researchers.
6. A tentative acceptance can be provided in advance for those students who have been selected by their home university and are applying for fellowships/grants that require a statement of affiliation with an American institution (for example, DAAD).

Details of Visiting Student Researcher Appointment

IES expects that Visiting Student Researchers will contribute to the intellectual life of the Institute by attending lectures and conferences, interacting with faculty and students and supporting the work of other scholars.

Visiting Student Researcher appointments include university library privileges, e-mail, and access to other campus facilities.

No other position, including positions in other Berkeley departments, whether paid or unpaid, can be held at the same time, without approval by the Institute’s Director. Additionally, payments of any kind for lecture services at other institutions must be approved ahead of time by the Director.

Visiting Student Researcher Fees

All visiting student researchers are expected to pay a number of fees.

1. DS-2019 processing fee: $ 500

This fee applies to international Visiting Scholars only and is not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This fee is for the Berkeley International Office (BIO), which produces the DS-2019 form required to obtain the J1 visa. It must be paid to IES in U.S. dollars via wire transfer or cashier’s check payable to “UC Regents.” IES is not able to accept wire transfers or payment by Western Union.

2. VSPA University Services fee: $ 1000 

This fee applies to all Visiting Scholars and is required by the University’s Visiting Scholar & Postdoc Affairs Office (VSPA) to obtain a university ID card and gain access to campus facilities and resources. This fee is paid directly to VSPA upon arrival at UCB, online by credit card.

3. U.S. Government fees:

• Department of Homeland Security SEVIS processing fee: $180
• U.S. Embassy/Consulate J-1 visa application fee: $160

These fees apply to international Visiting Student Researchers only and are not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The fees are paid directly to the U.S. government (Consulate/Embassy) during the visa application process. Please note that U.S. Government fees are subject to change without notice. Please refer to the relevant website for the most up-to-date fee schedules.

4. IES Visiting Student Researcher administrative fee:
Depending on the terms of the agreement signed with the partner university, some Visiting Student Researchers also pay an IES administrative fee that grants access to the IES Visiting Scholars’ office. If the terms of the agreement signed with your home university require the payment of an IES administrative fee, the full amount must be paid prior to arrival at Berkeley. It must be paid in U.S. dollars via wire transfer or cashier’s check payable to “UC Regents.” IES is not able to accept payments via Western Union.

With questions regarding fee payments, please contact IES manager Gia White by email.

Income Requirements

The University requires proof of your funding, as well as at least $1,600 per month for yourself, $500 per month more for a spouse, and $200 per month more for a child. Please also note that the University requires that you possess adequate health insurance. Please click here for more information about minimum external funding and health insurance requirements.

Living in Berkeley

Visiting Scholars may visit the Berkeley International Office for more information on housing, healthcare, transportation, family resources and other orientation matters. Scholars are responsible for securing their own housing accommodations and cannot rely on staff support in order to do so.

All questions and inquiries concerning our Visiting Student Researcher Program should be addressed to Dr. Julia Nelsen.