The Berkeley China Initiative brings together UC Berkeley's exceptional resources to strengthen research and teaching about China across all disciplines and professions, forge new international partnerships, and enrich public life by communicating those results.
To accomplish this, we have undertaken a new funding initiative to strengthen several key areas of China Studies at Berkeley. Learn more about this initiative and BCI here.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a visiting scholar at the Center for Chinese Studies, U.C. Berkeley. Following are instructions for completing your application process. Please read them carefully. Current PhD students are not eligible for Visiting Scholar status. The entire application process, from first contact until arrival in the U.S., can take as long as three months to complete — by reading the instructions carefully, you may be able to help avoid delays in application processing.
Step 1 — Scholars wishing to apply for visiting scholar status should submit the following materials to the Program Administrator:
These materials may be mailed, faxed, or emailed directly to:
Elinor Levine
University of California
Center for Chinese Studies Visiting Scholar Program
2223 Fulton Street, Room 609
Berkeley, CA 94720-2328
510.643.7062 (fax) elevine@berkeley.edu
Generally, visiting scholars are expected to possess a PhD degree, or extensive equivalent teaching or research experience. In the case of a particularly strong applicant, the Center may request a waiver of this prerequisite from the Dean of International Area Studies, however there is no guarantee that this waiver will be granted. Current PhD students are not eligible for Visiting Scholar status.
Step 2 — After receipt of all of the above materials, our Visiting Scholar Committee will review your application. If your research proposal, length of stay, and academic background are compatible with the Center's academic mission, we will notify you of your acceptance. You will then be asked to complete additional application forms, and submit a one-time, nonrefundable fee, as listed below:
| Scholars from the P.R.C. | Scholars from all other countries | |
|---|---|---|
| J-1 visa processing fee | $410 | $410 |
| University-mandated Visiting Scholar services fee | $200 | $200 |
| CCS processing fee | $500 | $2,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,110 | $2,610 |
The fee should be in US dollars and can be in the form of an international money order, cashier's check, or personal check payable to UC Regents. We are not able to accept wire transfers or payment by Western Union. The fee can be mailed to Elinor Levine at the address shown above.
Step 3 — After receipt of the completed and signed application forms and processing fee, the Center will petition to the Dean of International and Area Studies for your appointment for the dates specified. After Dean's approval, we will apply for your DS-2019 form (non-US residents only). The DS-2019 will allow you to go to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply for your J-1 (Visiting Scholar) visa. The DS-2019 form and an invitation letter from the Center will be sent to you together.
Step 4 — After receipt of the DS-2019 and related materials, you must pay a one-time Homeland Security processing fee of $100. Instructions on how to pay this fee will be sent to you, and may also be found at http://www.fmjfee.com. Once this fee has been paid, you will go to your local Consulate or Embassy to apply for your visa. To find the address, phone number, and business hours of the Consulate or Embassy nearest you, please visit the U.S. Department of State website: http://travel.state.gov
Step 5 — After arrival in Berkeley, you will complete necessary paperwork at the Center and also at the Visiting Scholar Office, where you will receive your Identification Card.
The Center for Chinese Studies is unable to provide financial support for its visiting scholars. As required by University policy, each scholar must provide the visiting department with proof of financial support during their proposed period of stay. Funding may come from the scholar's home institution, a fellowship from a recognized international organization, or personal funds. In the case of institutional or fellowship support, the funding organization must supply a letter of support that details total amount of funding, uses of funds, and date to which funding is guaranteed. In the case of personal funds, the scholar must supply a bank statement or letter detailing the total amount in savings available. The University of California requires all scholars to verify at least $1,600.00 per month of proposed stay before his/her appointment can go into effect. Additional funds are required if the scholar plans to bring family members ($500.00 per month for spouse, and $200.00 per month, per child). In addition, each family member must either bring acceptable health insurance or prepare to purchase it upon arrival, for the entire length of stay.
Each Scholar invited to affiliate with the Center for Chinese Studies is expected to actively participate in the Center's scholarly programs. Scholars may be asked to give talks based on their research during their stay at Berkeley, and are expected to attend regularly-scheduled talks or seminars throughout the semester/year. All scholars are asked to submit bi-annual reports on the progress of their research, including copies of publications or drafts of papers completed during each six-month period.