UCalgary Visiting Scholars Program
Fostering international collaboration and academic exchange to enhance research and innovation
UCalgary recognizes the importance of fostering international collaboration and academic exchange to enhance its research and innovation capabilities. This program is open to both scholars based in Canada and international candidates with the goal of increasing UCalgary’s international exposure.
The Visiting Scholars Program has been established to facilitate short-term, medium-term, and longer-term visits by leading professors and eminent scholars.
The Visiting Scholars Program sponsors distinguished scholars who will make a significant contribution to the academic life of the University of Calgary, enriching our research community, raising our institutional profile, and promoting knowledge exchange across countries and continents. For medium- and longer-term visits, scholars are expected to participate in the research and teaching programs of the host faculty as well as engage in their own research.
Contact:
Visiting Scholars are invited to visit UCalgary under three modes:
- Short-term visit (about 1 week)
- Medium-term visit (2-4 weeks)
- Longer-term visit (2-4 months, or longer)
Scholars are selected in consideration of our Strategic Plan, Ahead of Tomorrow, the Transdisciplinary Research and Scholarship Areas of Focus, and our Global Engagement Plan.
Types of Scholar Visits
Visiting Scholars are invited to visit UCalgary under three modes:
Purpose
- Deliver knowledge dissemination or translation event.
- Engage in specific short-term collaborative activities.
- Propose academic and/or research partnerships.
Eligible Activities
- Keynote lectures: Present research findings, share expertise, and inspire the audience.
- Contribute to panel discussions, providing insights and engaging in scholarly debates.
- Conduct workshops: To impart specific skills or knowledge to the participants.
- Have brief meetings or discussions with faculty members, researchers, and students to exchange ideas, offer guidance, and explore potential collaborations.
- Engage the external community on the UCalgary campus.
Funding: up to $5,000 (CAD) will be available from the Office of the Vice-President (Research). The host (faculty member or academic unit) must provide a minimum 1:1 match in cash.
Purpose
- Knowledge dissemination, translation, and mentorship activities.
- Foster deeper collaboration than short-term visit.
- Engage in joint research projects.
- Develop academic and/or research partnerships.
Eligible Activities
- Collaborative research: The Visiting Scholar(s) work closely with faculty members, researchers, and graduate students on joint research projects, sharing their expertise and contributing to ongoing research efforts and joint supervision of Ph.D. students.
- Assist in the delivery of specialized courses and/or workshops: Offer intensive courses or workshops on specific topics, providing in-depth knowledge to students and faculty and may extend to communities.
- Presentations and seminars: Deliver additional talks, seminars, or presentations to share their research and expertise with a broader audience within the institution.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to senior and early-career researchers, offering insights and support for their academic and professional development.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer: Engage with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, providing mentorship and guidance to enrich their research and academic experience.
- Engage in community activities in Calgary or beyond.
Funding: up to $10,000 (CAD) will be available from the Office of the Vice-President (Research). The host (faculty member or academic unit) must provide a minimum 1:1 match in cash.
Purpose
- Wide-reaching knowledge dissemination and translation.
- Delivering guest lectures and providing mentorship activities.
- Extensive collaboration and substantial research contributions.
- Foster stronger academic ties between the scholar and UCalgary.
Eligible Activities
- Engage in extensive collaborative research projects with faculty, researchers, and students, leading to joint publications, grant applications, or research outcomes.
- Teaching responsibilities: Participate in teaching activities, sharing their knowledge and experience with the external community over an extended period.
- Supervise graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or junior faculty members, providing guidance and support for their research and professional development.
- Contribute to organizing conferences, symposia, or workshops, bringing together experts from various fields to promote intellectual exchange and networking.
Funding: up to $20,000 (CAD) will be available from the Office of the Vice-President (Research). The host (faculty member or academic unit) must provide a minimum 1:1 match in cash.
Role of Host (Academic Unit and Faculty Member)
The host Academic Unit shall be responsible for:
- Arrangements for publicity plan
- Provision of office space or other workspace as required
- Ensuring that all immigration requirements have been met, as appropriate
- Questions related to immigration can be referred to hrimmigration@ucalgary.ca
- Arrange a UCalgary appointment with Human Resources, if required for medium- or long-term visits. The category of appointment best suited to those coming to UCalgary under the Visiting Scholar Program is “Visiting Scholar”. Questions related to appointments can be referred to your HR Advisor or Partner.
The host Faculty Member is:
- Designated by the Dean or head of the academic unit (e.g., Faculty, department, research institute)
- Responsible for arranging the visit and coordinating travel and accommodations (for visits of all length)
- Responsible for managing the funds associated with the award. The project will be set up under the host faculty member who arranges the visit. The academic unit will be responsible for proper reconciliation for the monies according to its departmental procedures
- Provides a brief report to the Research Services Office on the accomplishment or impact of the visit (within three months).
Past UCalgary Visiting Scholars
Nobel Laureate, Dr. Donna Strickland was hosted by the Faculty of Science's Institute for Quantum Science and Technology from June 17-18, 2024.
Adjudication
Nominations will be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Vice-President (Research). The nomination form must be submitted with host faculty Deans approval and signature along with the full Curriculum Vitae of the Visiting Scholar to Research Services.
Deans should only nominate scholars who have an established international reputation in their field, and whose visit to UCalgary will foster collaboration and exchanges between UCalgary and their home institution. Faculty members applying as the host on behalf of the Dean must hold an academic appointment at UCalgary.
Nominees should have a full-time faculty position at a university with a international reputation for outstanding research or scholarship. The program is not open for self-nomination.
A nominated national or international scholar may have their visit supported only once during the tenure of this program.
The University of Calgary is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus and recognizes that diverse faculty, staff, students, and alumni benefit and enrich the work, teaching, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and broader community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been, and continue to be, encountered by equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, visible/racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ persons. Nominators must therefore ensure that equitable and inclusive practices are used in the identification, assessment, and recruitment of potential visiting scholars. Please refer to the UCalgary Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research and Teaching Awards for more information and for examples of promoting inclusive practices in these areas.
Descriptions of research contributions within the nomination should align with the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment, of which the University of Calgary is a signatory. A wide range of contributions to research, training and mentoring must be considered by nominators in the identification of potential nominees, with a focus on the quality and impact of these contributions. Refer to Tri-Council guidelines on the assessment of contributions to research, training and mentoring for more information.
Nomination Checklist
Nomination form (download)
✔ Details of the proposed visit including activities the scholar will undertake, the benefit to the host unit and UCalgary and a publicity plan (contact faculty office to connect with your communications team)
✔ Budget summary and justification
✔ Visiting Scholar's Curriculum Vitae
✔ Dean's approval and signature
Please see the Terms of Reference for complete details, including ineligible expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please find answers to our most frequently asked questions about the UCalgary Visiting Scholars Program. This content will be updated regularly.
Q: Can this program fund a postdoctoral fellow to come to Calgary?
A: No. In order to qualify for the new UCalgary Visiting Scholar program, the visiting scholar would need to hold a full-time faculty position or equivalent at a university or institute with an international reputation for outstanding research or scholarship. A postdoctoral appointment would not be sufficient to meet the eligibility requirements for a visiting scholar coming to UCalgary through this program.
Q: Can a scholar self-nominate themselves for a visit under the UCalgary Visiting Scholar program?
A: No. The program is not open for self-nomination. All nominations must have an academic host and be supported by a Faculty, Department, or academic unit at the University of Calgary. The Dean, Department Head, or head of the academic unit must all endorse such a nomination. Interested candidates should reach out to faculty members or the academic unit about sponsoring their visit under the program.
Q: Can the program fund a UCalgary scholar’s visit to another academic institution?
A: No. The UCalgary Visiting Scholar program facilitates visits from external researchers to the University of Calgary. Funding a visit to another institution is outside the scope of this program.
Q: Will a visa or permit be required for an international-based visiting scholar?
A: A work permit or visa may be required for the visit. Requirements need to be assessed by HR Immigration. Contact HR Immigration to determine what is required for the visit.
Q: What is required by Human Resources for an honorarium payment to an international Visiting Scholar?
A: Requirements will vary based on the length of the visit. Contact UService to determine the requirements on a case-by-case basis. Taxes are generally applicable on honorarium payments. Tax waivers are possible for non-residents of Canada. Contact HR for more information.
Q: What is required by Human Resources for an honorarium payment to a Canadian Visiting Scholar?
A: Contact UService regarding this payment request. Income taxes and tax forms received will vary by the amount of honorarium received. Contact HR for more information.
Q: Will a SIN number be required for honorarium payment?
A: If a SIN number is available, this should be sent to HR. Contact HR for more information.
Q: Can funding from other VPR programs be used as an eligible match for this program?
A: No. VPR-funded programs, such as the Catalyst Grants Program and the Transdisciplinary Connector Grant program, cannot be used as the match for the Visiting Scholars Program, as the intention of the program is not to have it 100% funded by the VPR. Other internal funds can be used assuming visiting scholar costs are eligible expenses.
Q: Can department seminar support count towards the matching funds for this program?
A: Yes. The Department or Faculty’s seminar support would be considered an eligible source of funds. However, it is expected that the seminar is part of a larger visit that extends beyond what is typically funded by seminar support, to align with a plan for knowledge dissemination across campus and/or to the Calgary community at large.
Q: Can funds provided by the Visiting Scholar or the Visiting Scholars home institution be used as an eligible match for the program?
A: Scholars who wish to use funds from their home institution are eligible to apply, however, it must be transparent where the funds originate from. The nomination must clearly demonstrate that the UCalgary Visiting Scholar funds are essential to the trip and expanding its scope, and that they are not being leveraged towards an already existing or upcoming visit. If awarded, funds must be transferred to the Host Faculty for use.
Q: Should the scholar book their transportation and accommodation in advance?
A: Please note that the UCalgary Visiting Scholar Program is intended to fund visits that would not have otherwise been possible without the matching support provided through this program. We understand the challenges with planning this visit, but we cannot advise on plans to book transportation or accommodation. Costs incurred prior to notice of award are at the applicants’ own risk; funding through this program is not guaranteed.
Q: Once awarded, will the project be under the Host’s name, or will they be given an activity number to a project already maintained by the RSO?
A: The project will be set up as a new project under the Host Faculty member’s name.
Q: Is it our responsibility to submit the final report, or will your team send out reminders?
A: Completing the final report will be the responsibility of the Host member and must be submitted no later than three months after the end date of the award using the using the reporting webform. RSO will not be sending reminders for completion.