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 international 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
The 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.
Some visiting scholars who are applying for external funding may request an initial letter of support to accompany their funding application before their research visit to Carleton is confirmed. A letter of support may be requested via your associate dean of research and issued by Carleton International.
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.
Click on the 2026 Visiting Scholar Request Form and complete as per the instructions below.
- Visiting scholar completes sections A, B, and C and provides Yvonne.Clevers@carleton.ca with the following documents by email (as applicable):
- Notice of award/funding (if externally funded)
- Proof of enrollment in home program or institution (if a student abroad)
- Carleton faculty host completes sections D, E, F, and G and forwards by email with a copy of the CV for the Chair/Director’s approval.
- Department Chair/Director returns form by email with copy of CV to Yvonne.Clevers@carleton.ca.
What Happens Next Once Accepted
Carleton International issues an institutional letter of invitation by email, which includes terms and conditions of the research visit and instructions on how to apply for entry to Canada.
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 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 and hosts must comply with Carleton’s visiting appointments policy.
Carleton Faculty hosts should review Due Diligence for Visitors, Safeguarding Research.
Visiting scholars should review our Preparing for Travel webpage.
Other resources:
- Visiting Appointment (Teaching): please contact deputyprovost@carleton.ca
- Postdoctoral Fellow Appointment: please contact maddibruining@cuent.carleton.ca
- Research Mobility Programs
- Delegation Visits
- Due Diligence for Visitors, Safeguarding Research
For any questions, please contact:
Yvonne Clevers
International Research Agreements and Mobility Coordinator
Carleton International
Email: Yvonne.Clevers@carleton.ca