Applications for Visiting Scholars Program
NEW VISITING SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM AUGUST 30, 2024-JANUARY 8, 2025.
Inquiries may be made to CSLS at csls@law.berkeley.edu
The Center fosters empirical research and theoretical analysis concerning legal institutions, legal processes, legal change, and the social consequences of law. Closely linked to the School of Law, CSLS creates a multidisciplinary milieu with a faculty of distinguished socio-legal scholars in sociology of law, political science, criminal justice studies, law and economics, legal history, law and psychology, and legal and social philosophy, along with visiting socio-legal scholars from the United States and around the world.
Click here for a complete list of U.C. Berkeley faculty members affiliated with the Center.
Among the benefits of being a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of Law and Society are: library privileges at the Law School and at all campus libraries; invitation to our weekly CSLS Speaker Series, workshops, and scholarly exchanges; UCB campus privileges, such as athletic facilities and permission to audit classes; and, when possible, assignment to shared or other office space and use of computer, internet, and other facilities.
CSLS Visiting Scholar Application Requirements
(in addition to Campus and Federal requirements)
1. Applicants normally must possess a Ph.D. or J.D. (or foreign equivalent). For more information on eligibility requirements please visit this page. Please note: CSLS generally does not accept Visiting Student Researchers.
2. Applicants must submit a full curriculum vitae.
3. Applicants must submit a letter describing their proposed program of research or study, specifying the time period they wish to be in residence at the Center. Applicants must pursue a program of research or study which is of mutual interest to faculty members at the Center for the Study of Law and Society. The applicant should explain how the proposed program of research or study addresses one or more of the three themes that are the focus of CSLS scholarship: (1) criminal justice, (2) inequality, (3) democracy and civil society. Please also include a description of the empirical aspects of your research.
4. International applicants must indicate their source of funding while visiting Berkeley, e.g. sabbatical pay, scholarship, government funding, personal funds, etc. Unfortunately, the Center cannot offer stipends or other financial assistance. Monthly minimum requirements for foreign exchange scholars are: $2000 per month for the J-1 scholar, $600 per month for the J-2 spouse, $400 per month for each J-2 child. More information can be found here.
NOTE: The minimum funding requirement for J exchange visitors will be increasing effective August 1, 2022. For cases submitted to Berkeley International Office 8/1/2022 or later, the minimum monthly funding requirement will be $2000 for the J-1 + $600 for a J-2 spouse + $400 for each J-2 child. Additional information about funding documentation is available on the BIO website
5. Applicants must be proficient in English in order to benefit from CSLS programs. UC Berkeley requires all international scholars to provide documentation of English language proficiency. This can be shown through the following ways:
• A recognized English language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc)
• Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school
• A documented interview conducted either in-person or by video-conferencing, or by telephone if video-conferencing is not a viable option.
For more information regarding English language requirements, please click here or contact the Berkeley International Office at 510-642-2818 or jscholar@berkeley.edu.
* The Center will consider applications for periods of time that vary from one semester, fall and/or spring, duration to the full academic year. Applications that are submitted only for the summer months are not competitive; Center programming takes place duing the fall and spring semesters.
** If a scholar intends to leave sooner than the end date on their DS-2019 form, they must inform the Visiting Scholars Program Director, the hosting department, the VSPA office, and the Berkeley International Office by submitting a request two months prior to their appointment end date. The request should include a full name, residential and email address, and the reason for the early departure. Once approved, a new date will be established in the official record.
More here on UC and Federal Requirements for International Visitors * | Immigration Policy Updates and FAQs
CSLS & CAMPUS FEES
For extended fees list, click here.
*Fees are subject to change.*
Foreign Visitors (DS-2019) fee
There is a fee of $850 charged for the application processing of a DS-2019 document needed to secure a J-1 visa
Payment page, here.
Berkeley campus fee (University Services Fee)
Each visiting scholar is required to pay an annual University Service Fee of $750 for the first year of their appointment to the Berkeley Campus to obtain a campus ID card and to have access to the Berkeley Libraries and University facilities. This fee is collected by the Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs office (VSPA) and paid online.
For Visiting Scholars who wish to stay for a second year, the fee will increase to $1,500. Payment page, here.
CSLS Fees
Payment page,here.
*All fees and paperwork are required and non-negotiable.*
Please Note: Paid fees cannot be reimbursed or refunded at a later date unless the candidate's application is rejected. Visiting Scholar candidates are responsible for ensuring that they have the financial budget necessary to cover associated fees.
Visiting Scholars should refrain from changing their arrival dates. A one time change is allowed.
Inquiries may be made to CSLS at csls@law.berkeley.edu