Visiting Faculty Scholar Services

Most international scholars receive funding from their home institutions, governments, or U.S. government funding. Hosting departments and colleges should work closely with the scholar to ensure that funding is attainable as the scholar will be required to show sufficient funds in order to receive necessary immigration documentation and apply for a visa. 

U.S. government funding:

1. 1. The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (S-I-R)is a U.S. government sponsored program that provides J-visa sponsorship, travel, and a modest living stipend to Fulbright S-I-Rs who enhance efforts at American institutions through:  

• • Teaching courses 
  • Curriculum development 
  • Guest lecturing 
  • Cross-campus activities 
  • Developing study abroad/exchange partnerships 
  • Community engagement 

Institutional hosts may apply to host an S-I-R in a discipline that would benefit from a comparative or international perspective. Hosts have the option to propose a specific scholar or IIE can work with Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies abroad to recruit Scholar-in-Residence candidates. Applications are on an annual basis, typically in early June.

2. The Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) program awards short-term travel grants of at least $1,500 to support current Fulbright Visiting Scholars for short-term visits (2-5 days) to accredited, non-profit, U.S. Institutions of Higher Education outside of their primary host community. As scholars are responsible for making their own travel arrangements, the program encourages host institutions to assist scholars with arranging lodging and local transit on site. 

To find a scholar, start by exploring the OLF Directory of Visiting Scholars currently eligible to participate in the program. 

Due to relatively low representation, Montana is shortlisted as a high-priority state to receive an additional $500 to support proposals from Montana institutions.

The OLF program accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Please submit your application at least 30 days before your proposed OLF dates. 

All MSU Billings faculty or departments wishing to sponsor an applicant will make an appointment to visit with the Office of International Studies (OIS) to discuss the potential visitation no later than four months prior to the visitor’s arrival date.

At this meeting the faculty/department will learn about the process and requirements for both the host and the potential visitor. After this meeting, the scholar can proceed with completing the Visiting Scholar Application. 

All applicants interested in visitingMSU Billings as an International Visiting Faculty Scholar will submit the following information to the Office of International Studies no later than three months before the visitor’s arrival date:

• Visiting Faculty Scholar Application Form
  • The application must be signed by the applicant, the sponsoring faculty member/department, the Dean of the College in which the visitor will be working, International Studies P/DSO, and the Provost in order to verify the terms and commitment of the visitation. The applicant also much submit the following documents:
• A curriculum vitae
• A statement outlining specific goals and/or research objectives to be pursued during their visitation, including the name of the MSUB faculty with whom the scholar will be working.
• Financial affidavits from the applicant indicating their ability to finance the expenses related to their visitation, including how much (if any) funding will come from MSU Billings.
• Colored copy of the scholar's passport and and passports of dependents.

Once all application documents are completed, the applicant will send it to the Office of International Studies (OIS). From there:

1. OIS will verify all documents needed to issue US visa paperwork and communicate with the visitor regarding the visa.
2. OIS will write an Invitation Letter for the visitor inviting them to come. This letter will specify the objectives of the visit, as outlined in the applicant’s statement.
3. OIS will send the visitor a Welcome Packet that contains all visa materials as well as a welcome guide to Billings.
4. A copy of all application documents as well as the Invitation Letter will be sent to the faculty and College with whom the visiting scholar will be working.
5. The applicant will then accept the invitation  by communicating with the department/college in which he/she will be working. 
6. The applicant will proceed with applying for a J-1 Scholar visa at the neareset U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Hosting departments have some obligations for hosting a visiting scholar. Hosts will be responsible for the following needs of the visiting scholar or faculty:

1. Housing arrangements for the visitor.
2. Arrange for meeting the visiting faculty scholar at the airport and provide transportation to the visiting faculty scholar's Billings based residence.
3. Assist the Visiting Faculty Scholar with acquiring an MSUB ID Card and ensure functionality of computer network access, e-mail, and access to Library resources.
4. The creation of an ETF Form enabling the visiting faculty scholar to be set up in Banner in the HR Office. The ETF form will indicate that the visiting faculty scholar is to be set up under a "Courtesy Appointment" without compensation or benefits, unless compensation has been arranged.
5. The completion of a "New Employee IT Request Form" within two weeks of the visiting faculty scholars' arrival to campus to enable the Information Technology Office to prepare for telephone, computer and network access prior to the visiting faculty scholar's arrival.
6. Schedule and facilitate a formal "Check-in" meeting at the OIS with the assigned P/DSO to ensure that all required passport, VISA, immigration, health insurance and/or other documentation is on record.
7. Ensure completion of Human Resources appointment, if necessary.
8. Arrange appropriate introductions of the visiting faculty scholar to the respective Academic Dean, Department Chair, and appropriate University faculty and staff.
9. Provide the visiting scholar with a tour of the University campus facilities, services and resources as well as a tour of the Billings community.
10. Maintain communication with the visiting scholar throughout their visitation to ensure the scholar has appropriate assistance and support, and to encourage the visiting faculty scholar's active involvement in campus and community events and activities.