Visiting Scholar Applications

The Space Policy Institute welcomes short and long-term visitors from the United States and overseas and offers them a congenial environment in which to pursue their research interests as well as access to U.S. space policy decision-makers. The Institute encourages women and individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply.

Visiting scholars participate in university seminars, workshops, and classes as well as conducting their own research. All visitors are expected to give a seminar at some point during their tenure with SPI and actively participate in SPI events and interact on a regular basis with other visitors, graduate students, and faculty. All visitors are strongly encouraged to produce written work for publication while affiliated with SPI. The duration of a visit can be for as long as a year and as short as three months. The Institute will offer them desk space, access to GWU’s library and other facilities, and a formal affiliation with the Elliott School and the Space Policy Institute.

Visiting Scholars are responsible for their own salary and research funds and are generally expected to pay a bench fee of $1000 per month to cover administrative and other costs. The bench fee may be waived or reduced under some circumstances (e.g., visitors from other academic institutions). If this is necessary, applicants should request a waiver and explain why the waiver is being requested. Applications are accepted throughout the year and the process for reviewing applications can take 6-8 weeks to reach a decision. Applications should be submitted 9-12 months in advance of when the applicant would like to arrive. We can typically host no more than 2-3 visiting scholars at one time. Please note that if selected, we will also ask for evidence of English proficiency, such as TOEFL, IELTS, CPE, or equivalent, in order to sponsor a J-1 visa.

If you are interested in becoming a Visiting Scholar, please send the following to spi@gwu.edu.

  • A current CV
  • A research proposal, including relevant past work and experiences, the significance of the research, how you will carry out the research, why locating in Washington is necessary, and any sources of funding for the research
  • The dates you would like to visit and the faculty with whom you would like to interact
  • A reference letter from your home institute or sponsor with all contact information

Applicants may also mail information to the address below.

The Space Policy Institute
Elliott School of International Affairs
The George Washington University
1957 E. St., NW, Suite 403
Washington, DC 20052