Department of Geography Visiting Scholars scheme

The Department of Geography welcomes academic visitors from all parts of the world whose stay will be of mutual research benefit to the individual, their host and the Department. We particularly welcome applications from those with caring responsibilities or with disabilities to join the Department as Visiting Scholars, as they are currently under-represented at this level in our Department.

The Visiting Scholar Scheme is open only to staff employed outside of the University of Cambridge and not to graduate students or recently completed PhD students at Cambridge. There is a separate Visiting PhD Student Scheme to which applications can be made.

Successful applicants will be those who:

• The Department can offer work space during their stay (unless not required);
• Have the strong support of a Cambridge member of academic staff (the ‘host’) or Thematic Research Group within the Department;
• Can demonstrate the value of their visit, both for themselves and for the Department; and
• Are able to pay bench fees and support themselves in Cambridge.

Before completing the application form below, you must have the confirmed support of an academic member of staff. Your host within our Department will be asked to write a case for support, which will help the Department’s Research Policy Committee to reach a final decision. We will only request references if they are necessary to inform the decision. Application deadlines are as follows:

• 26th January 2024 (you will hear back shortly after 14th February 2024)
• 26th April 2024 (you will hear back shortly after 15th May 2024)

Visits may only start if approval has been given. You will hear back from us on the dates shown above after each deadline.

You are advised to apply in sufficient time to allow you to make arrangements to come to Cambridge, meeting any immigration requirements, should your application be successful.

The Research Policy Committee will normally only consider a visit of a maximum duration of 12 months. However, it is possible to extend a visit for a further year (with discounted bench fee) subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report on the year 1 collaboration. Any such extension should be discussed with the Director of Research well before the end of the 12 month period.

Bench fees

Bench fees apply for the use of the University and Department facilities and are calculated as follows:

• Between 2 weeks and 1 month £150 (£180 inc. VAT)
• Up to 3 months £500 (£600)
• Up to 6 months £1,000 (£1,200)
• Up to 12 months £2,000 (£2,400)

* VAT (20%) is chargeable to all UK and overseas visitors unless they are students.

Note: visits of less than 14 days are treated as ‘ad hoc’ visits with no fee and therefore no Departmental privileges apart from space in the host’s office (at the host’s discretion) or the Department Library. Visits of this type are managed by the Departmental host and, for health and safety reasons, the host is required to inform the Head of Department’s Administrator at least a week in advance of such a visit. Additionally, if relevant, ad hoc visitors are not allowed to access the Department’s Laboratories and Workshops without the prior knowledge and permission of the Science Laboratories Manager.

Bench fees cover:

• Overheads
• Reasonable use of postage and faxing
• IT facilities, photocopying and printing in the Department. Please note that Visiting Scholars are assigned in advance a reprographics balance of £5 per month of the visit (e.g. a 3 month visit = a balance of £15
• Access to public computers
• Departmental Library facilities
• Access to the University Library
• Stationery

Bench fees do not cover:

• International postage
• Long distance and overseas telephone calls from the Visiting Scholars room
• Laboratory consumables costs
• Equipment costs

Bench fees will be paid on the first day in the Department.

IMPORTANT: Please note that it is the Visiting Scholar’s responsibility to deal with immigration, visas, accommodation and family issues. Non-EEA (European Economic Area) academic visitors will need to obtain appropriate immigration clearance. The Department does not process immigration applications.

International visitors from non-English speaking countries will be asked to provide valid English language certificates or provide other additional evidence of reasonable competency in English language.

The Department will not sign any contracts or enter into any agreements with either visitors or their institutions.

On arrival

For support on arrival, please visit Newcomers and Visiting Scholars.

Submission form