OISE Visiting Scholars Funding Program

Program Overview

The OISE Visiting Scholars Funding Program helps fund visits to OISE by outstanding scholars from outside the University of Toronto. This program enriches the OISE community by supporting public talks, lectures, and classroom activities that engage OISE faculty, students, and staff. OISE faculty members may apply for funding, which is provided by the Office of the Associate Dean, Research, International & Innovation. The Program is intended to contribute to, but not fully fund, visits from faculty members from across Canada and around the world.

Eligible OISE faculty can apply for:

a) The Scholar in Residence Program for visits of 6 months or more:

Provides a maximum of $1,500 per application.
Normally funds a maximum of two Visiting Scholars per year.
Requires Visiting Scholars to engage in at least two activities with OISE faculty, staff and/or students during their visit (e.g., a public talk and a set of meetings with faculty and/or students).

b) The Short Visit Program for visits of less than 6 months:

Provides a maximum of $1,000 per application.
Requires Visiting Scholars to engage in at least one activity with OISE faculty, staff and/or students during their visit (e.g., a public talk or a set of meetings with faculty and/or students).

Eligibility

Tenured/tenure-stream, teaching-stream, and Contractually Limited Term Appointment (CLTA) OISE faculty are eligible to apply. Sessional lecturers, seconded instructors, and contract instructors may apply in partnership with an eligible faculty member. Prospective visiting scholars are not eligible to apply.

Applicants can submit one application per term (a maximum of two per year).

Prerequisites

Department preapproval is required. Please check with your department for specific policies and procedures for accepting visiting scholars.
Applications submitted to sponsor Canadian citizen and permanent resident scholars must be received prior to candidates’ arrival at OISE.
Applications submitted to sponsor international scholars must be received prior to candidates’ arrival in Canada, and approval for funding is contingent on the candidate obtaining the appropriate work authorization and visa, if required.

How to apply

Please email oise.research@utoronto.ca for an application form. Please submit the following to oise.research@utoronto.ca:

A completed Application Form, including a proposed budget.
Eligible expenses include an honorarium (maximum $500.00), travel and accommodation-related expenses, and the cost of any audio/digital recordings for the benefit of the OISE community.
Please include a rationale for how the visit will benefit the OISE community in the space provided on the form.
The proposed Visiting Scholar's CV.
An email or letter from your Department Chair indicating support for the visit.
For international scholars whose visits exceed five days, a copy of the letter of invitation issued to the Visiting Scholar by the Department Chair. This letter must specify the work permit requirements that apply to the visit, or state why the visit is exempt from such requirements. For appropriate templates, your Chair should consult with Jesse Sims, Director, Office of the Dean. (jesse.sims@utoronto.ca). This letter may be submitted after the application is evaluated as long as the Visiting Scholar is issued the letter prior to entering Canada. Approval of funding is conditional upon receipt of this letter and the final verification of any work or other authorizations that may be required under Canadian immigration laws.

Next Steps and Reimbursement

Due to policy and immigration considerations, only Department Chairs (and not faculty sponsors) should issue formal invitations to visiting scholars. Please contact your department’s Executive Assistant (listed below) for further information.

Please note that Department Business Officers must collect a copy of any work or other authorization from international visiting scholars upon their arrival at OISE.

Before the funded activit(ies) please work with your department communications officer to announce the details (e.g., on OISE webpages, events calendars, and the digital lobby sign.)

After the funded activit(ies) submit original receipts for eligible costs incurred to your Department Business Officer, copying oise.research@utoronto.ca. Receipts must be submitted no later than 90 days following the end date of the visit.