Visiting Fellows Program: FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who is eligible to apply to the fellowship? 

The institute welcomes applicants from around the world and from a variety of fields such as academia, civil society, government, industry, media, the performing arts, and other fields. Applicants must be present in the United States during their fellowship project (see Question 4 for more info).

2. How many fellows are selected each cycle? 

The exact number of visiting fellows selected each cycle varies based on the application pool, cohort theme(s), and anticipated budgets, but it is generally no more than 10 individuals per academic year. You can learn about our 2023-24 cohort here. 

3. What is the typical length of this fellowship? 

Visiting Fellows typically carry out their main project for the duration of one semester, although they are expected to participate in regular programming throughout the academic year, about one event per month. While in-person participation is preferred, these monthly events offer virtual options for participation. For their main project, fellows are welcome to propose spending as little as two weeks with the institute (e.g., to convene a conference over a few days) or up to a full academic year throughout the duration of a visiting fellow’s research or project.

4. Are visiting fellows required to live in Baltimore during their fellowship? 

To support a vibrant and collaborative community, visiting fellows are expected to be in Baltimore to meet the terms of their project or themed engagement (subject to any COVID-19 or other health restrictions). The institute is open to a variety of arrangements—an intensive month or weeks in residence, weeks in residence spread out over the course of a semester or year, weekly one-day visits over a semester to teach a class, or other proposed alternatives. We will work with fellows to ensure baseline levels of equity in residency expectations across the visiting fellows cohort, while still allowing for individual flexibility.

5. What are the general participation expectations for visiting fellows, beyond their project?

During their fellowship year, visiting fellows are expected to participate in all programming offered for fellows—in person whenever possible, to the extent feasible. We also offer a variety of signature programs—debates, conferences, and more—throughout the year, and visiting fellows are welcome and encouraged to participate in those. Visiting fellows may also be called upon to be speakers or panelists for SNF Agora programs.

6. Does the institute provide housing? 

The institute does not provide housing directly; however, we are happy to help our visiting fellows find housing near campusThere are university-operated residential properties among other options in the nearby vicinity. A visiting fellow’s stipend is expected to cover all housing costs throughout the duration of the fellowship.

7. Does the stipend include funding for travel?

Travel to and from the institute is expected to be covered entirely by the stipend awarded to the individual fellow. A fellow should budget for their stipend amount to cover the costs of all travel expenses incurred during their time with the institute. 

8. Does the stipend include funding for conferences and gatherings that I would like to host as a visiting fellow? 

The stipend is meant to support each visiting fellow’s time with the institute and can therefore be used for conference expenses if the visiting fellow so chooses (in accordance with university rules for reimbursable expenses). The institute also provides limited staff and marketing support for events and conferences.

9. Do visiting fellows receive health insurance?  

The fellowship is benefits-eligible; however, the cost of health insurance is not included in the stipend. Health insurance may be personally purchased by a visiting fellow through JHU-recommended services based on eligibility. 

10. What teaching opportunities are available to visiting fellows?

Visiting fellows are able to teach a variety of courses:

  1. full-term undergraduate seminar courses in either the fall or spring semesters (note that fall semester courses would only be open to first-year students, who register in the summer);
  2. half-term undergraduate seminar courses in either the fall or spring semester, which run for six weeks starting midway through the fall; and
  3. intersession undergraduate courses, which run for one to three weeks during January.

11. Can I apply as part of a team? 

Yes, you can apply as part of a team, with the understanding that each team member would occupy one of our fellowship slots. We ask that each team member complete an individual application for administrative purposes, but the proposal language can be identical across applications. For these proposals, please indicate in the body of the proposal who the other teammates would be.  

Ideally, projects of this sort would be linked to the work of aSNF Agora faculty member or other work at the institute, but we are open to mission consistent proposals that are carried by a team who need space to work together on a shared problem. Regarding teamwork and timelines, sequenced visits to the institute over the course of the academic year are possible if needed for the sake of project work. 

12. Will applicants receive feedback on their applications once submitted and before selections are made? 

Unfortunately, to maintain equity in our selection process, we cannot allow for custom consultations once applications are submitted. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the institute with general questions about the fellowship program by emailing snfagoraapplications@jhu.edu.