Visiting Scholars

Visiting scholars are ineligible to receive compensation. A living allowance and/or reimbursement for university-approved research expenses is allowable, as long as the allowance complies with university policies.

The University observes 13 administrative holidays per year, which are listed in the academic calendar.  During these holidays, the campus is closed and building access and services are unavailable.

Visiting scholar appointments are allowed for a maximum of two years and are approved in one-year increments. The opportunity for reappointment is determined by the faculty sponsor or department. Please work with your faculty sponsor and the department’s human resource business partner to explore this option.

Review your health benefits coverage periodically to make sure the coverage you have is the best fit for your and your family’s needs, as they may change during the course of your appointment. The Visiting Scholar Benefit Plan provides month-to-month coverage, therefore, you may make changes to your plan at any time.

Your affiliation affords you professional development opportunities designed to enhance and compliment your research experience at UC Berkeley. These include VSPA-sponsored workshops and events, as well a variety of events and resources across campus. Consult the Develop page to take advantage of career and professional development opportunities. 

All Visiting Scholars must complete the systemwide mandatory Foundational Skills training in the UC Learning Center within 90 days of onboarding and annually. These include Sexual Violence & Sexual Harassment, Ethics, and Cybersecurity.

We encourage all Visiting Scholars to review and complete training in Research and Compliance training, Intellectual Property, CITI Responsible Conduct of Research, and the Implicit Bias.

Visit our Compliance page for more detailed information on how to adhere to UC Berkeley professional standards in the conduct of research.

In order to mitigate the risk when traveling, the VSPA recommends that all Visiting Scholars be aware of domestic and international travel warnings and restrictions. When traveling, Visiting Scholars are strongly encouraged to review and follow the security recommendations provided for domestic and international trips.

International scholars should inform the Berkeley International Office of any planned trips outside of the United States.

When traveling for professional conferences or conducting UCB business, please take note of university and State Department travel policies and responsibilities:

• Register Your Trip for Free Travel Insurance: https://www.ucop.edu/risk-services-travel/registering.html
• International Travel - https://travel.berkeley.edu/policy-and-guidelines/guidelines-and-requirements-international-travel
• GEO policy: https://globalengagement.berkeley.edu/travel/international-travel-guidance-protocol-approval-processes 
• RAC policy: https://rac.berkeley.edu/ec/travel.html 
• General travel policy: https://travel.berkeley.edu/policy-and-guidelines/key-points-travel-policy 
• Traveler responsibilities: https://travel.berkeley.edu/understand-policy/traveler-responsibilities 
• Risk traveling to countries of concern: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

We encourage you to check in regularly with your faculty supervisor for clear communication regarding work expectations and responsibilities. We encourage you to practice kindness toward yourself and your collaborators. Please review and adopt UC Berkeley’s Principles of Community during your time on campus.

The VSPA is also here to support you as you navigate conflicts. If you are experiencing an interpersonal concern or conflict, please contact the VSPA Director via email at vspa-director@berkeley.edu for resources, referrals, and assistance. VSPA is a resource in the case of conflict.

Visiting Scholars are eligible for most of the support services offered through Be Well at Work. This includes information on how to manage conflict and stress in healthy and productive ways. Recognizing that there are many ways that scholars may address conflict and stress, we encourage you to explore campus resources that can help inform your path forward.

The VSPA values and prioritizes your well-being and we encourage you to do the same. You may be reluctant to take advantage of all the resources at UC Berkeley or the number of opportunities to engage may be overwhelming. However, we encourage you to maximize your time at UC Berkeley by participating in the social and networking events designed to integrate and welcome you into the Cal community. The VSPA is a great place to start exploring your options. Check our Resources page for more information. 

We also encourage you to explore the special interest groups in the VSPA, so that you may connect with other individuals who share common identities and interests.

Please visit our Resources for Parents page to discover the great offerings available to you on campus and beyond.

Visiting Scholars with active VSPA appointments may audit a class on the UC Berkeley campus subject to the expressed permission of the class's instructor. It is advisable that scholars interested in auditing a course email the instructor before attending a class. Helpful information to provide in your email are your name, host department, faculty sponsor, your area of research and reason for wanting to audit the course. If you require accommodation assistance in order to audit a course, please contact our Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Disability Specialist, Mary Kelly, M.S., C.R.C., CPDM. Mary can be reached by email at mankelly@berkeley.edu, by phone at (510) 642-1914 or by confidential fax at (510) 642-6505.

For international scholars on a J-1 Research Visa: Guidance from the U.S. Department of State indicates that J-1 Research Scholars may only audit ONE class and that it is incidental or secondary to your primary program objective, which is your UC Berkeley research (the purpose for your appointment here). Furthermore, actual registration of a course is not permitted (enrolling as a registered student). If your primary objective is to take/enroll in classes for credit, you may need to be on a student visa instead of the J-1 Research visa. Contact the Berkeley International Office with any questions about the visa.