The Office of the Provost is pleased to accept applications for the Distinguished Visiting International Scholars Program for the 2016-2017 academic year. This initiative is designed to support the scholarly mission and global perspective of the University of Rhode Island (URI), especially in areas of strategic focus that bridge disciplinary areas. The goals of this program are to demonstrate URI’s commitment to research and scholarship, engage the campus community, strengthen emphasis on global learning and discovery, build international collaborations, and enhance the visibility of URI around the country and world. Please see the list of Visiting Scholars supported through this program since 2010 at the end of this document.
Description of the Program
The program provides funds to support hosting up to four international scholars or scholar-practitioners at URI each academic year for four to five-day visits. Each Visiting Scholar is expected to deliver two lectures on his/her research area: a public lecture of high appeal to the URI campus community and general public; and a more specialized lecture to faculty and students in the Scholar’s disciplinary area. In addition, the Visiting Scholar would be asked to meet formally (e.g., guest lecture) or informally with groups of undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to the activities in the relevant departments, we encourage you to plan activities with students in the Honors Program and Graduate School. A reception to engage the Visiting Scholar with URI faculty would also be an important component of the visit. In some cases, it might also be appropriate for the Scholar to meet with outside constituencies (e.g., government, business, and non-profit organizations).
Award
A total of $34,000 has been allocated to this program to support up to four Visiting Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year. Our goal is to support up to two Scholars each semester. A maximum of $8,500 will be awarded for each Visiting Scholar to support travel, meals, lodging, honorarium, etc. Unused funds will be returned to the Office of the Provost to fund future Visiting Scholars.
Application Process
At this time, we are requesting proposals for both Fall 2016 and Spring 2017. We are especially interested in proposals that are supported by various disciplines with shared interest in the Visiting Scholar’s work and expertise. A subcommittee of the Global Steering Committee, with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs chairing this initiative, will review proposals and rank them based on the selection criteria.
Criteria for Successful Proposals
- The Visiting Scholar must be an accomplished scholar (including creative and artistic individuals), or eminent practitioner who is internationally recognized and whose work has had significant impact on scholarship and/or practice.
- The Scholar must be fluent in English.
- The Visiting Scholar must not be living and working in the United States on a permanent basis. Individuals who are already in the US on a temporary basis are eligible (e.g., Visiting Professors at other universities, scholars in residence, Fulbright scholars, etc.).
- The Scholar must commit to spending four to five days on campus with various constituencies, including students. The activities planned for the Scholar must be articulated in the proposal. A plan for promoting the visit and lectures must be included.
- Preference will be given to support Visiting Scholars whose work is interdisciplinary, uniquely innovative, and relevant to areas of expertise and interest in the URI community. Work that appeals to broad interests across the campus community is preferred. Multiple department/college sponsorships are encouraged.
- Preference will be given to proposals that show potential for the development of a future on-going relationship between URI and the Visiting Scholar’s home institution (e.g., faculty and student exchanges, collaboration on educational and/or research programs, etc.).
If you have questions, please contact Laura Beauvais (874-4341 or lbeauvais@uri.edu) in the Provost Office. Please note that sponsoring faculty hosts, not the Provost Office, will be responsible for planning and organizing the visit and interacting with relevant campus constituencies to ensure a successful visit. Assistance in planning the visit is provided by Shana Greene in Public Programming and Events.
Application Process
Complete the following application form and submit a current CV of the proposed Scholar to the Office of the Provost (officeofprovost@etal.uri.edu) by Monday, April 25, 2016 by 5:00 PM. Decisions will be made in May.