Every year, Carleton University is pleased to host over 150 international visiting scholars, professors, and student researchers (visiting scholars) who engage in meaningful research collaborations in a wide range of fields, enhancing Carleton’s research capacity to engage internationally. Carleton International coordinates the arrival of visiting scholars by officializing their temporary affiliation, and offering visa advice and other important information.

Our office processes requests for the following visiting scholars who wish to conduct research only:

  • Visiting faculty members: those holding permanent academic positions abroad
  • Visiting student researchers: those enrolled in an academic program at an institution abroad
  • Visiting postdocs: those enrolled in a postdoc program abroad

In addition to in-person visits, Carleton offers virtual research visits that allow scholars to conduct research from their home country either prior to or as an alternative to an in-person visit. We are currently accepting and processing applications for virtual visits.

Click here to read about some of our past visiting scholar experiences.

How to Become a Visiting Scholar

Visiting scholar identifies a Carleton faculty member host. To learn about our faculty members’ research interests, please browse through by department or the research page, then contact your desired faculty member with a request to host your visit. Once both parties agree upon the details of the visit, the visiting scholar request form can be completed.

Please note that a minimum of four to six months’ notice for requests is required. This allows for internal approval from the academic heads and sufficient immigration processing times.

What Happens Next Once Accepted

Carleton International issues an institutional letter of invitation by email, which includes terms and conditions of the research visit. In addition, it offers instructions on how to apply for entry to Canada and immigration advising. Our office will also arrange for a Carleton ID number and campus card for the visiting scholar’s use upon arrival so that they may have access to our library and departmental resources for research. The departmental administrator will be responsible for arranging wireless and computing access for the scholar upon arrival.

All international visiting scholars must comply with the requirements and hold the necessary authorization from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada to enter and stay in Canada during the period of their appointments and must abide by the terms and conditions therein. It is the sole responsibility of each visiting scholar to ensure that their immigration documentation is valid, up-to-date, accurate, and truthful, and to maintain their status.

All visiting scholars must comply with Carleton’s visiting appointments policy. It is also strongly encouraged that both visiting scholar and faculty host review the potential risks of international research.

Visiting scholars should also review our Preparing for Travel webpage before leaving.

For any questions, please contact:

Yvonne Clevers
International Research Agreements and Mobility Coordinator
Carleton International
Email: Yvonne.Clevers@carleton.ca