Visiting scholars sponsored through the Buffett Institute gain access to our multidisciplinary, global intellectual community and find new opportunities for collaboration with their faculty hosts and others across the university. In addition to pursuing their own professional and research agendas, previous Buffett Visiting Scholars have participated in a broad range of activities at the Buffett Institute. They have met and consulted with Northwestern researchers, including Buffett Global Working Groups and Buffett's affiliated programs, centers and initiatives; participated in Buffett events and developed partnership opportunities between Northwestern and their home institution.
Application deadlines: October 15, January 15 and April 15
Who is a Buffett Visiting Scholar?
Visiting scholars are typically individuals sponsored or employed elsewhere, by another university, a government agency, non-governmental organization or industry. Visiting scholars typically hold a PhD, MD or equivalent terminal degree in their discipline or have received equivalent professional recognition. They are most often at Northwestern for one year or less and paid by their sponsoring organization. Learn about current and past Buffett Visiting Scholars >>
Buffett's affiliated programs, centers and initiatives. We welcome applications sponsored by faculty from any school or department at the university.
We will direct faculty to a different program if their prospective visitor is a:
- Threatened, displaced or at-risk scholar: The Buffett Institute collaborates with campus partners to welcome visitors who have lost their academic or professional positions or cannot remain in their home countries due to threats or actions from authoritarian regimes, persecution for their views or identities or other risks. Learn more about this program >>
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar: Northwestern faculty members interested in hosting a Fulbright Visiting Scholar should consult the Fulbright Opportunities website and reach out to the Buffett Global Collaboration Team with specific questions.
- Doctoral student: This application is not open to doctoral students. Northwestern faculty members interested in hosting a doctoral student should contact their department or the Buffett Global Collaborations Team if they are a Buffett affiliate. Additional information can be found on The Graduate School's Visiting Predoctoral Fellows webpage and the Office for Research's Visiting Predoctoral Fellows webpage.
- Postdoctoral fellow: This application is not open to postdoctoral fellows. Northwestern faculty members interested in hosting a postdoctoral fellow should contact their department or visit The Graduate School's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs webpage.
Why sponsor a Buffett Visiting Scholar?
The Buffett Institute processes Buffett Visiting Scholars' appointment paperwork with the Office for Research and serves as the point of contact for visa processing. Buffett Visiting Scholars and their families are also welcomed into the Buffett community and invited to participate in Buffett events. In addition, Northwestern faculty can request the following forms of support for Buffett Visiting Scholars through the application process:
- Office space at the Buffett Institute
- Housing at the McManus Center in Evanston (extremely limited)
- Funding for nominal expenses related to the appointment
Some Northwestern faculty may want to apply for a Buffett Global Collaboration Grant to support cost-of-living expenses for the Buffett Visiting Scholar. Applications for Buffett Global Collaboration Grants are due October 15 and April 15 annually.
How to apply:
Northwestern faculty members who wish to sponsor a visiting scholar with Buffett support should complete the online application and specify objectives and plans for the visit. Applications are due October 15, January 15 and April 15 annually. Please submit the application three to six months in advance of the intended start date, making sure to take visa processing times into account, including U.S. Consulate Appointment Wait Times (if necessary).
To see all steps in the Buffett Visiting Scholars program application and pre-arrival process, view our step-by-step guide >>
Questions?
Please email the Buffett Visitors team.