Scholars should contact the school or department that they are interested in working with directly. UNCP schools and departments are responsible for reviewing scholar applications, evaluating scholars research proposals, and determining space availability. After the scholar is accepted by the department, Global Engagement will assist with the immigration paperwork. 

Immigration Requirements for Short-term and Research Scholars

Research Scholars/ Professors

• The scholar's primary purpose for being in the United States must be to conduct research, teach, lecture, observe, or consult.
• Scholars must have completed at least a Bachelor's Degree.
• Scholars must be able to prove that they have enough funding for the duration of their stay. This funding may be personal, from a third party, or from UNCP. 
• All scholars are required to have health insurance throughout the period of their program. If they have dependents with them, then the dependents must be fully insured as well.
• Scholars will be subject to an assessment of English Proficiency in order to participate in this program. The assessment will be in the form of an in-person or video conference interview with a member of the sponsoring academic department and a member of the Global Engagement staff. Scholars should provide a copy of their passport prior to the interview in order to verify their identity.
• Scholars are not allowed to take tenure-track positions due to the temporary non-immigrant nature of their program. 
• Clinical work is not permitted.
• Research Scholars / Professors are subject to a 5-year maximum limit.

Please note that according to the regulations of the Research Scholars/ Professors are subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation, regardless of the length of their program. Scholars may also be subject to the 212(e) 2-year home residency requirement.

Short Term Scholars

• Short-term scholars are professors, research scholars, or people with similar education or accomplishments who enter the United States for a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills. 
• Scholars must have completed at least a Bachelor's Degree
• Scholars must be able to prove that they have enough funding for the duration of their stay. This funding may be personal, from a third party, or from UNCP. 
• All scholars are required to have health insurance throughout the period of their program. If they have dependents with them, then the dependents must be fully insured as well.
• Scholars will be subject to an assessment of English Proficiency in order to participate in this program. The assessment will be in the form of an in-person or video conference interview with a member of the sponsoring academic department and a member of the Global Engagement staff. Scholars should provide a copy of their passport prior to the interview in order to verify their identity.
• Scholars are not allowed to take tenure-track positions due to the temporary non-immigrant nature of their program. 
• Clinical work is not permitted.
• Short-term scholars are subject to a 6-month limit.

UNCP encourages faculty to teach abroad.

Application Forms and Pre-Arrival Information

Departments and prospective visiting scholars should each fill out this portion of the Scholar Application. Both parts should be given to Global Engagement before a DS-2019 will be produced.

Departmental Forms

Department Checklist for Visiting Scholars

This checklist provides an overview of the needs new visiting scholars experience on arrival and describes the involvement of the inviting department, Global Engagement, and other offices on campus in preparing for the scholar's arrival. Departments should follow this checklist once their visiting scholar has been approved. 

Visiting Scholar Mid-Term Evaluation

UNCP is required to show that scholars are making adequate progress on their research programs. This form should be filled out by the inviting department at the mid-point of the scholar's program.

Visiting Scholar Final Presentation Evaluation

In the spirit of cultural and academic exchange, scholars should share their research with UNCP colleagues before they depart. This evaluation should be filled out by the inviting department at the time of the scholar's final presentation.

Maintaining Your Status

Change of Address (COA)

As an F-1 or J-1 (student or scholar) you are required to update your physical and mailing address with Office of Global Engagement (OGE) within 10 days of the change. OGE will update your address with SEVIS accordingly.

Emergency Contact Form

Use this form to update your emergency contact information. Please keep this information up-to-date throughout your program.

Insurance Request Form

New scholars should use this form to request their Health Insurance when they arrive.

Insurance Request Form

Program Completion

Departure Form (Google Forms)

Please complete this form to indicate your final departure from the U.S. 

Exit Survey

We would love to get your thoughts on your experience here. Your input will be kept confidential and only anonymously shared with departments as needed. 

Travel

Travel Endorsement Request

This form is used to obtain a travel signature from OGE before leaving the United States. A travel signature demonstrates that you are in good standing to return to the U.S. after a university holiday or vacation period. 

Payments

Payments should be made in the Bursar's Office in Lumbee Hall.

Print the Global Engagement Event Payment Slip, fill it out, and take it with you so that the payment will be credited to your account. Payments will not be accepted without a printed slip.

(This Payment Slip may also be used for OGE services such as bedding, TOEFL tests, etc.)

Student Complaints

We value your feedback and would like to give you a chance to express any complaints you have. Please fill out the form below and email it to Jessica.Hall@uncp.edu or bring it to the OGE Office. We will respond to all complaints promptly and fairly.