Visiting Scholars Program

two men standing outside

Each year the Center brings together Visiting Scholars who are pursuing their own research projects in the history of political economy. 

Visiting Scholars may come to the Center for either a semester, a full academic year (which runs from the end of August to the beginning of May), or a twelve-month period. (Those who wish to come for shorter stays may wish to consult the "Academic Visits" section.) Though the principal purpose of the program is to allow successful applicants to pursue their own research, Visiting Scholars are invited to join a vibrant intellectual community by participating in the many other programs (e.g., workshops, HOPE lunches, and conferences) that the Center offers. More junior scholars may also wish to sit in on classes during term and to participate in the “Summer in the Archives” program.

Funding

The Center has funding available for Visiting Scholars. When possible, Visiting Scholars should attempt to bring their own funding through some combination of support from their own university (e.g., fellowships or sabbatical funds) and from outside foundations. We recognize that more junior scholars may not have ready access to such support, and typically we fully fund their stays. Sometimes our acceptance of an applicant’s proposal will be contingent on either the applicant or the Center being able to secure outside funds. Funding is only available during the regular academic year, when school is in term (late August through early May).

Application Procedure

The deadline for full consideration is Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

All applicants should:

 A. Submit the following materials, items 1. through 4., as a single PDF document, in the following order. Do not send four separate documents.

  1. Statement of interest in which you describe your past history and explain why you want to come to the Center. Indicate the time period you would like to come to the Center (e.g., Fall 2024; Spring 2025; the 2024-2025 academic year; a twelve month period beginning September 1, 2024). This should be no more than 1 page in length.
  2. Statement describing the research you plan to pursue while in residence at the Center. The statement should be no longer than 2 pages in length.
  3. A current curriculum vitae.
  4. Statement regarding funding. Will you bring any support? If so, please identify the source(s) of your funding and amount. Also specify whether you have already secured the funding, or have applied for it. If the latter, please indicate the date when you expect to know whether the funding request has been granted.  If all of your own funding comes through, will you require any additional funding from the Center? If so, how much?

B. Arrange to have a letter of recommendation sent to us by a scholar who can comment on the quality and importance of your proposed research. For pre-doctoral candidates, it is probably most appropriate that the letter be from your dissertation supervisor.

The application process is competitive; only a portion of applicants will be selected. 

Please submit your materials by e-mail to chope@econ.duke.edu

If you apply and do not, in a day or two, receive an acknowledgment that we have received your application, please email us to ensure that your application is received.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Visitors' Corner for information about living in Durham.