Visiting Scholars Initiative

The Sping Lin and Ying-Ngoh T. Lin China Center Visiting Scholars Initiative increases opportunities for University of Minnesota faculty and staff to host visiting scholars who will foster and grow connections with the country and cultures of China.

This initiative offers awards to assist in bringing visiting scholars to the University of Minnesota to help strengthen academic exchange and research and extend the impact of mutual collaborations with China to the greater University of Minnesota campus and community.

Preference will be given to applications that build on existing UMN institutional partnerships, that involve collaborative activities likely to be sustained and enhanced in the future, and that advance strategic international goals and reflect the University's Grand Challenges strategic initiative. Applications that include matching funds from internal or external sources equal to or greater than the amount requested from the University will be preferably reviewed.

Fundable Activities

Preferred activities include those that develop new, or strengthen existing, institutional and faculty-to-faculty relationships with Chinese partners; support outstanding research projects from across the University that are poised to make significant contributions to their field; and/or increase opportunities for meaningful student engagement.

Examples of fundable activities include:

  • Research and academic collaborations
  • Conferences, symposia, and workshops
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Professional consultation and collaboration
  • Faculty exchange programs
  • Select travel costs, including international airfare (to/from China) for visiting faculty

Funds may not be used for:

  • Faculty salary
  • Operational support (i.e., permanent staff salary, etc.)
  • Allocation of School/Center indirect costs (i.e., facilities, etc.)
  • Payments to partner institutions for indirect costs

How to Apply

One award of $7,500 will be offered for scholars visiting in spring, summer, or fall.

Deadline: January 31

A complete application includes:

  • Online application
  • Proposal: Upload a 3-page (maximum) proposal that details:
    • Why you or your department wish to bring a visiting scholar to campus
    • How the collaboration between this visiting scholar and your department will contribute to building on existing UMN institutional partnerships, sustain and enhance future activities between UMN and China, advance strategic international goals, and/or reflect the Grand Challenges initiative
  • CV/Resume for Visiting Scholar
  • CV/Resume for Host Faculty Member

Apply now