International Visiting Scholars Program: Current Visiting Scholars

On behalf of the administration, we welcome you and congratulate you on your decision to pursue scholarly and intellectual development in the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences at the George Washington University.

Our university's prime location in Washington, D.C., provides scholars with rich opportunities to engage all the government agencies, institutions, foreign embassies and intellectual communities located in the nation's capital. 

As the first step, you will receive a formal invitation letter from the university, securing your spot here at GW. Once issued, the college will work with the university's International Services Office to initiate your J-1 visa sponsorship and DS-2019 paperwork (if required). As part of this process, you may be contacted for additional information. 

Services Offered to Scholars

The International Visiting Scholars Program (IVSP) offers the opportunity to interact with GW faculty and students, introduction to experts at national and international organizations and institutions in the Washington, D.C. area and a unique opportunity to create a network of colleagues from all over the world through engagement in research utilizing a multitude of resources, such as:

• A GW university email account
• A GWorld Card (GW identification card)
• Access to the George Washington University Library
• Assigned faculty mentor to support scholar’s research (during the academic year)

Extensions and Renewals

Current Visiting Scholars who wish to apply for extension or renewal should first inquire with their faculty sponsor regarding any extension of their term, and then reach out to the CCAS Global Initiatives Team at [email protected] to facilitate the process. If you have received visa sponsorship, please initiate this conversation as soon as you determine you are interested in extending your stay. 

Please note that under the current policy, scholars are able to extend their terms for a maximum of one year.

Campus Access for Visiting Scholars

Upon your acceptance as a visiting scholar to CCAS, your GWID will be coded as part of the Invitation Letter process. You will receive further communications from GW IT on the date of your term start and are able to establish campus access through the following process:

1. Receive the email “Welcome to the George Washington University - Action Required” from [email protected] to the affiliate's home email address on your start date.
2. Follow the “Verify Account” hyperlink, or copy and paste the full URL into an internet browser.
3. Read and accept the University policies. Click “Verify Account” to continue.
4. Once a central password for the GW user account has been set, you will receive an email titled, “Your GW User Identity has been verified” which will include your GWID, UserID, and GW email address.
5. Once you arrive on campus and meet with your faculty sponsor, please inquire about any special access to Departmental spaces, Labs, or similar before proceeding to the GWorld Card Office for a physical ID.

If you require further assistance with campus access, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Research Presentation

A written report of your research is due prior to the end of your term. Please direct all questions regarding the mandatory oral presentation and written report to [email protected].