Visiting Student Research Collaborator

A visiting student research collaborator (VSRC) is an advanced degree candidate at another institution who applies to come to Princeton as a short-term, non-degree student to work with a specified Princeton faculty member on a research project that grows out of a specific collaboration or mutual research interest. Learn more at the Graduate School website.

The Near Eastern Studies Department is authorized to host a limited number of VSRCs each year. If you are interested in applying to become a VSRC in Near Eastern Studies, please contact the faculty member you propose to work with. If that faculty member is able to work with you, he/she will need to submit a brief evaluation form and a letter of invitation on your behalf directly to the Department Manager, Karen Chirik  [email protected]

Required Documents

  • C.V.
  • Letter of support from your advisor or home institution
  • Statement of academic interest, including an explanation of which specific Princeton resources are necessary for you to conduct this research. The statement should not exceed 1000 words.

You will also be expected to initiate contact with the Princeton faculty member with whom you propose to work. That person will need to submit a brief evaluation form and a letter of invitation on your behalf directly to the Department Manager.

Prospective VSRCs are encouraged to consider carefully the length of time required to do their work while visiting Princeton. Students who propose to visit for a period of time exceeding what is necessary to conduct the proposed research may be asked to shorten their proposed dates of stay.

Timeline

All materials must be submitted to the Department Manager 5 months prior to the proposed start date (February 1 for July 1 start; May 1 for October 1 start; and September 1 for February 1 start).  If you are applying to external sources of fellowship funding you must still adhere to this submission deadline, whether or not you already know the outcome. Please note if you are applying for funding which requires approval from us with your application, you need to contact the faculty member you wish to work with and Karen Chirik at least two weeks prior to your deadline. If your fellowship application is not approved you may contact the Department Manager to cancel your VSRC application at any time.

All proposals will be evaluated by the department and approved VSRCs will be notified. Please bear in mind that there is a very limited number of places annually, and that submission of applications by the deadline is no guarantee of success. If accepted, however, the student will then need to submit the formal application and financial documentation to the Graduate School no later than 3 months before the proposed start date to allow sufficient time for processing of the formal application and visa paperwork.