The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC) inaugurated its Visiting Scholar program in Fall 2022. We will welcome, host visitors whose research advances scholarship and public understanding of the subject matters central to IPDGC’s mission. The Visiting Scholars become part of the Institute’s academic community while pursuing their own research projects. The purpose of this program is to give the university and IPDGC greater international exposure, while enriching our students with education beyond the classroom.
Visiting Scholars are also expected to play an active role in the intellectual life of the School of Media and Public Affairs and the Elliott School for International Affairs. As such, Visiting Scholars should anticipate participating in activities such as – but not limited to – attending IPDGC events and providing guest lectures in GW courses related to their research topic. Visiting Scholars should also be prepared to present a report of their research at a seminar by the end of their term.
IPDGC provides the opportunity for scholars to engage with our esteemed GW academic community and access research resources through the Washington Research Library Consortium. From our advantageous location in downtown Washington, D.C., scholars have the added benefit of ready access to many think tanks, U.S. and foreign government offices, universities in the metropolitan area, and other excellent resources to facilitate interviews and research with primary sources.
Visiting Scholars are usually doctoral candidates, faculty members at universities, analysts at research institutions, or mid-career government officials. IPDGC can also host scholars whose visas and funding are sponsored by external organizations, such as the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program or Muskie Fellowship.
How To Apply:
A completed application will include the following attachments.
- A detailed description of the research project (one page), which must be on a topic relating to public diplomacy or global communications.
- A description of what resources in the D.C. area that you will use for your project.
- A copy of a certified English-language test no older than two (2) years (TOEFL minimum: 80; IELTS minimum band score: 6.0 with no individual score less than 5.0). We may conduct a departmental interview as an alternative.
- Detailed resume or CV.
- A letter of recommendation (in English).
- A description of how you can be an active contributor to the intellectual and/or outreach programming of IPDGC. Examples: research presentations and/or reports; public events; workshops for scholars and/or practitioners; digital or audio-visual content; and scholarly publications.
Send the application package to ipdgc@gwu.edu
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis to meet demand, and only complete application packages will be considered. Following your acceptance into the program, additional documentation may be requested by the Institute and the Columbia College of Arts and Sciences to support your J-1 visa sponsorship.
Questions about the Visiting Scholar program can also be sent to ipdgc@gwu.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Timeline
Please consider your application and research timeline in conjunction with the complexity of paperwork that may be required, such as procuring visa sponsorship. We will try to work with applicants’ deadlines, including those imposed by funding organizations, so please let us know if you are working under such a deadline in your application’s funding section. (An additional fee may be applied for expedited applications.)
It is strongly recommended to submit a complete application as early as possible, but at least 4 months before your desired affiliation start date for all applicants. Additionally, please factor in extra time for visa appointment delays, rescheduled flights, quarantine time, etc.
Research
Proposed research terms are usually 3-12 months long for resident Visiting Scholars, while non-resident scholars may request a longer affiliation term. Please clearly state your desired term in your application. By the end of each affiliation term, scholars are required to make an intellectual contribution to the GW community from their research, usually in the form of an oral presentation or written report.
Funding
Applications will be evaluated by IPDGC and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. If accepted, a bench fee of $400 per month (or $1,500 per semester) may be required for Visiting Scholars for administrative and other costs of the program.
IPDGC does not offer fellowships, scholarships, or funding of any kind to Visiting Scholars currently. Please keep in mind that visiting scholar applicants will have to secure funding from an organization or government, or provide proof of personal funds, before a visa can be issued.
Please note that we cannot consider providing affiliation to applicants without a proposal that clearly links the applicant’s research project to ways they will contribute to the Institute’s intellectual and outreach activities.
Other questions can be sent to ipdgc@gwu.edu