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Information for Visiting Researcher/Scholar Applicants

Applicants from the country of Spain or who are affiliated with the Real Colegio Complutense please click here for application information.

All other applicants please click HERE for application information

DESCRIPTION AND SELECTION

The European Law Research Center accommodates a very limited number of Visiting Researchers and Visiting Scholars each academic year. Visiting Researchers and Scholars apply to do research at the Law School for a period of not less than three months. In making selections, the Committee at the Center considers the applicant's background, field of interest, scholarly achievements, availability of Harvard Law School faculty for consultation in the proposed research area, and English language proficiency. Applicants should have completed their basic legal studies with high academic standing.

Applicants at a relatively senior stage of their professional career may be designated Visiting Scholars. This designation is made on the basis of the nature of the applicant's proposal, the expected duration of their research and prior academic experience. Visiting Scholar applicants are also expected to be affiliated with a university, research institute or governmental program in their home country.

Prospective applicants interested in an affiliation with a specific research program at the Law School should contact the respective program directly for application information and procedures.

FACILITIES

Visiting Researchers/Scholars have access to the Law School's Libraries as well as other libraries at the University. With the permission of the teaching faculty member, Visiting Researches/Scholars may audit Law School courses on a non-credit basis. There is no additional tuition charge for auditing courses. Visiting Researchers/Scholars do not have faculty status.

Subject to availability, Visiting Researchers/Scholars may have use of an open study carrel in the Law School's Langdell Library. Carrels are generally available at the beginning of the academic year. Visiting Researchers/Scholars arriving mid-year may find it more difficult to obtain a carrel.

In limited cases Visiting Scholars may be provided with desk space in a shared office. Telephones are not provided although one may be installed the Scholar's expense. Secretarial services are not provided. Visiting Researchers and not eligible for office space.

APPLICATION

Download the ELRC Application HERE

Applicants are responsible for assembling and submitting all required documents in one package by the appropriate deadline, April 15. The application must include:

  1. A cover letter indicating proposed length of stay, source/s and amount of funds available to cover expenses (financial aid is not available for Visiting Researchers/Scholars), and a summary of research plans.
  2. A resume or CV that clearly shows degrees received and current position, as well as your current academic affiliation
  3. Completed application form
  4. A 2-3 page research proposal.
  5. Official transcripts, and/or grading sheets (Faculty members at other universities who are applying to the ELRC need not include these)
  6. Two letters of recommendation, including a letter of support from your doctoral or other academic supervisor, if appropriate. (Faculty members who are applying to the ELRC need not include these)
  7. Application fee (check payable to The ELRC for U.S. $60.00)

Applicants whose primary language is not English must also request of the TOEFL Testing Center (Harvard reporting code is #3457) and official report of their TOEFL score to be sent directly to the European Law Research Center. English language proficiency is essential for a Visiting Researcher or Scholar to insure the most beneficial and efficient use of time at Harvard Law School. The ELRC requires a score of 570 or better on the TOEFL exam for all international degree candidates whose primary language is not English, or who have not had a minimum of two years of instruction in English at the university level. The ELRC reserves the right to require a Visting Researcher/Scholar applicants to submit evidence of comparable English language proficiency.

Please note that the $60 application fee is non-refundable. Applicants experiencing extreme financial difficulties may request a waiver of the fee. To request a waiver, a letter stating financial need must be submitted along with official documentation revealing personal and parental income. All requests should be addressed to Committee on European Law Studies.

If the application fee will be paid by a sponsoring organization (IIE, government sponsorship, etc.), a notation should be included with the application. Time allowance for disbursement of the fee from sponsoring organizations will be considered in processing the applications.

APPLICATION Information for Applicants from Spain

Download the ELRC Application HERE

All applicants from the country of Spain or who are affiliated with the Real Colegio Complutense, must contact Professor Angel Saenz-Badillos at the Real Colegio Complutense (26 Trowbridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, phone at 617-495-3536) and arrange for a letter of support from the RCC.

In addition you are responsible for assembling and submitting all the following required documents:

  1. A cover letter indicating proposed length of stay, source/s and amount of funds available to cover expenses (financial aid is not available for Visiting Researchers/Scholars), and a summary of research plans.
  2. Completed application form
  3. A 2-3 page research proposal.
  4. Official transcripts, and/or grading sheets (Faculty members at other universities who are applying to the ELRC need not include these)
  5. Two letters of recommendation (sealed and signed across the back of the envelope)
  6. A letter of support from Professor Angel Saenz-Badillos, Director of the Real Colegio Complutense.
  7. A letter of support from their doctoral or other academic supervisor. (Faculty members at other universities need not include these)
  8. A resume or CV that clearly shows degrees received and current position, as well as your current academic affiliation

ADMISSION PROCESS

Consideration for admission to the Visiting Researcher/Scholar Program occurs once a year. The deadline for applications is April 15 for applicants wishing to commence research for the Fall and Spring semesters. Application decisions will be rendered by May 10.

TUITION AND LIVING EXPENSES

Visiting Researchers at the ELRC pay two fees:

Living Expenses

A single person can expect to incur living expenses of at least $15,000 for a 10-month period, exclusive of the residence fee described above. A married couple can expect living expenses of at least $22,000 for a 10-month period, exclusive of the residence fee.

Housing

Visiting Researchers and Scholars are not eligible for University owned housing. Because of the large student population in Cambridge and limited amount of housing, it is extremely difficult to locate suitable housing after the school year begins. The best time to look for housing is in mid-August. Most Visiting Researchers and Scholars who have families come to Cambridge in advance of their families to look for housing. You can visit the International Housing Office's web page for more information and assistance.

It is often difficult to rent a house or apartment for less than 10 to 12 months. Most landlords require that a 10- or 12-month lease be signed by the tenant. Visiting Researchers/Scholars may use the University Housing office which maintains lists of privately owned housing available for rent in the Cambridge area. This list may be consulted at the Housing Office after a visitor's arrival in Cambridge. Apartment/house listings will not be mailed by the Housing Office.

Health Insurance

Visiting Researchers/Scholars are eligible for the Harvard University health plan. The Health plan for a single person is approximately $1,200. The plan for a visitor and family is in excess of $2,000.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION

Harvard University offers English language courses. A twelve-week course costs $400. This is in addition to the law school residence fee mentioned above. For more information you can write the English as a Second Language Program, Harvard Summer School, 20 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.