Collaboration on an international scale

Global Distinguished Humanities Fellow

In an effort to foster international collaboration and highlight the importance of the humanities in creating a future that speaks globally to social justice, equity, and the environment, Global Affairs and the Humanities Institute (UCHI) have joined forces to create a new opportunity for a Global Distinguished Humanities Fellowship (GDHF) at the University of Connecticut (UConn). This initiative is designed to strengthen ties with UConn’s international partners by inviting faculty scholars from universities that have ongoing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with UConn.  (See the Global Affairs’ interactive map for a detailed list of countries and institutes.)

Funding for the fellowship totals $10,000 and is expected to include scholar honoraria, travel, and housing during their visit. Priority will be given to projects that include detailed outreach within the UConn community and potential for future scholarly exchange and/or collaboration.

Interested in Hosting an International Fellow at UConn?

UConn faculty, with the endorsement of their respective department heads, will nominate an international scholar to visit the UConn Storrs campus for no less than one (1) week and no more than one (1) month. The scholar will engage with the University community, have an office space at UCHI, and may provide public lectures, meet with classes, talk with graduate students, and provide time and support to work with faculty at UConn on future projects. Nominating academic departments will be responsible for hosting and scheduling the visiting fellow’s time.  Schedules should be developed in collaboration with Global Affairs and UCHI. The University will sponsor a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for selected fellows. The hosting academic department will be responsible for submitting a timely application to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for a J-1 visa sponsorship. To learn more about the visa sponsorship request process and responsibilities of the hosting academic department, please visit UConn ISSS – Host a Visiting Scholar.

Step 1 – Nominating a fellow

1. Prospective faculty hosts should confirm that the institute and university with which the prospective fellow is currently affiliated has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UConn. You can consult Global Affairs' interactive map for a list of universities and institutions. On that map you can select the countries with which UConn has agreements (highlighted in orange). A list of institutions for each country and the type of their agreements with UConn will then appear at the bottom of the map.

2. Prospective faculty hosts must consider the goals and expected deliverables of the fellowship. What will be the benefits of this visit to the visiting scholar, the hosting faculty member and department, UConn students, and the larger community? 

3. UConn faculty interested in hosting a visiting fellow must secure the endorsement of their department head.

4. Through prior conversations with the prospective fellow, faculty hosts should determine the nominee's interest and availability.

5. Prospective faculty hosts are strongly urged to secure the endorsement of one additional faculty member who will sign off on the nomination form.

Step 2 – Application procedure

For an application to be fully considered, prospective faculty hosts must:

1. Complete the nomination form, including a) their name b) the name of one additional faculty member; c) name of the department head, d) name, credentials, and affiliation of the nominee; and e) proposed dates of the visit.

2. Provide a summary of goals and expected deliverables of the fellowship visit (no more than 300 words).

3. Provide a summary of proposed events and engagements for the visiting fellow and the UConn community.

4. Propose a budget for the visit that outlines the allocation of up to $10,000.

5. Obtain the endorsement of the department head (no more than 200 words).

6. Attach the curriculum vitae (C.V.) of the nominee to the email along with the application material.

Step 3 – Application submission and selection procedure

The application material must be emailed to UCHI (uchi@uconn.edu). Upon receiving the application material, UCHI and Global Affairs will review the application and the MOU between UConn and the prospective fellow's institute of affiliation. The selection committee will advise the home department of the host faculty member of their decision. If an application is accepted, UCHI will send an offer letter to the nominee outlining the parameters of the visit. UCHI and Global Affairs may request additional documentation at this stage. The nominee must sign and return the offer letter by no later than 13 weeks before the fellowship start date. After the position has been secured, UCHI will transfer the funds for fellow’s compensation to the hosting department and can also assist with securing housing for the fellow’s visit. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Global Nomination Form

UConn Humanities Institute