Visiting Researchers Program FAQ
Do I need to become a Visiting Researcher to use the Bioethics Research Library?
Those who wish to take advantage of the Bioethics Research Library (formerly named the National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature) need not make any special arrangements if a visit of less than two weeks is contemplated. The Bioethics Research Library is located on the first floor of Healy Hall and is open to the public Monday through Saturday. Our library houses the world's largest collection of bioethics literature and has the resources for performing sophisticated literature searches ranging across books and journals from a variety of academic disciplines.
What does the Visiting Researcher Program provide?
- Visiting Researchers receive an e-mail address and University identification card that authorizes lending privileges at the main University Library and permits attendance at various University-sponsored events.
- The Visiting Researchers Program does not include provision of office space, secretarial support, housing, or any form of financial support. However, every effort is made to ensure that visiting researchers are made aware of speakers and programs hosted by the Institute, the Medical School, and the Philosophy Department.
How do I obtain a letter of sponsorship from the KIE?
To be considered for a letter of sponsorship from the KIE, please send an updated curriculum vitae, a short one page summary of the project to be pursued while you are at Georgetown, and the dates that you anticipate to be here. This may be sent by email to Laura Bishop. Please note that to obtain official Visiting Researcher status from Georgetown University, those coming from other countries MUST enter the country under the J1 Scholars Visa.
What happens after I have received a letter of sponsorship?
Once a letter of sponsorship is offered by the KIE, the KIE will forward your materials to the Graduate School with the letter. The Graduate School will then send a welcome letter to the Visiting Researcher and copy the KIE. The KIE staff then forwards all information to the Office of International Programs, if the Visiting Researcher is coming from outside of the United States.
The GU Visiting Researcher Program information is posted for those departments that don't have a procedure as we do. KIE sponsored Visiting Researchers do not directly contact the Grad School.
How do I arrange for housing?
Housing in the Washington, D.C. area is in high demand. The University does not provide Visiting Researchers with housing accommodations. Those wishing to obtain housing in the area should begin to make arrangements well in advance of their arrival. U.S. Researchers may visit the website of the Off Campus Housing for assistance in locating housing in the Washington area. Non-U.S. Researchers seeking temporary housing should write in advance to the International Advisor, Office of International Programs, 2nd floor Poulton, Box 571013, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, (202) 687-5867. This office will also assist non U.S. Researchers to find more permanent housing.
What is the timeframe for accepting visiting researchers?
The Graduate School will need some reasonable amount of time to process your application, and thus we advise you to prepare your application at the earliest date. Although most visitors arrive in the fall, and we usually act on those applications in the preceding July, we do have researchers arriving throughout the year. If your intended visit falls within a different cycle of the academic year, we will try to expedite our responses to your inquiries.