Faculty Exchange Programs

Enhance your research and build connections around the world

Indiana University faculty and librarians can apply to participate in short-term exchange programs with university partners around the world. The duration of each program differs, ranging from two weeks to one month.

Each program has a limited number of exchange slots available each year. Some programs have higher demand and, therefore, are competitive. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received funding support from OVPIA over the past three years for research or creative activity.

To apply, you must be a tenure-line faculty member, librarian, or research scientist/scholar at an IU campus. If you’re a non-tenure-line faculty member whose evaluation criteria for promotion includes research or creative activity, you are also eligible with an explanation in the letter of support from your dean or chair. Academic specialists are ineligible.

Participants receive funding to cover airfare and a reasonable living stipend. With the exception of the Academia Brasileira de Letras, the partner institution may provide or assist with housing.

2023-2024 Academic Year

OVPIA is currently expanding the parameters under which we will continue to fund faculty mobility to primary partners. More information will be forthcoming later in the semester.

Application guidelines

To apply, you should prepare a brief proposal (maximum 1,500 words, double-spaced, 12-point font) that describes your intended activities before starting the online application.

Proposed activities may include conducting research, engaging in creative activity, consulting with colleagues, or offering lectures or short courses. You should indicate how your proposed activities are important to your professional development, the development of a school or departmental affiliation, or the development of the partner institution.

Proposals for research or creative activity should include an outline of the project and should specifically identify local resources you would employ or engage. If you propose to offer lectures or a short course, you should provide confirmation that your topics are of interest to colleagues at the partner institution.

You are highly encouraged to identify a counterpart at the partner institution with whom you would like to work prior to completing the application. You should submit a letter of support from your chair or equivalent unit representative and may also submit a letter of invitation from the potential host at the partner institution. You are required to upload a copy of your CV.

Activities should fall within the 2023-2024 academic year (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Any proposed dates outside these parameters require approval from Seth Walker at partner@iu.edu

Awards for travel scheduled to take place in late spring semester or summer are expressly contingent upon your continuing employment at IU the following academic year. Retired IU faculty are encouraged to explore internal grants offered by the IU research offices.

Ready to apply?

Before beginning the application, make sure you have the following documents available to upload in PDF format:

  • Narrative statement
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of endorsement/support from your chair (or other relevant unit representative)
  • Other supporting document(s), such as an invitation letter from a colleague at the partner university (optional)

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of faculty members with diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Reviewers score each application based on the strength of the proposal. In particular, reviewers will consider the extent to which an applicant’s program participation will advance the proposed research, enhance professional development, or further collaboration with the partner institution.

Have you been nominated to participate in an exchange program?

If you are selected to participate in an exchange program, you will need to provide additional information about your intended plans for travel. Exchange participants from IU’s partner institutions must complete several forms and provide necessary documentation for their visa.

Learn more about what’s required of faculty exchange participants