Visiting Scholars Program
Visiting Scholars Program
Select faculty of the Catholic Universities Partnership (CUP) and other institutions in Europe (particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe) serve as visiting scholars at the Nanovic Institute during the academic year to research, teach, and contribute in meaningful ways to the institute's mission and the life of the university. This includes positions through the Patrick and Angela Adams Fellowship for Catholic Higher Education in Post-Communist Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The Adams Fellowship brings promising scholars and administrators from Catholic universities in post-communist Central Eastern and Eastern Europe and areas of the former Soviet Union to the Institute. The fellowship’s goal is to provide these individuals with experiences at Notre Dame that will ensure their success as the future leaders of their region’s Catholic universities.
Call for the 2025-26 Academic Year
For the 2025-26 academic year, the Nanovic Institute seeks to appoint two visiting professors (one in fall 2025; late August-late December) and one in spring 2026 (early January-mid-May) as part of its Visiting Scholars program, which hosts scholars with established teaching and research positions at institutions of higher learning in Europe. The guest professor will carry out a specific research project during their stay at the Nanovic Institute.
The ideal candidate will support the Institute’s growing research programs and the university’s strategic initiatives, making meaningful contributions in the field of ethics, democracy, or sustainability, specifically in connection with Europe. Applications from scholars with specific interest in understanding the “peripheries” of Europe and processes of marginalization (geographic, social, economic) are particularly encouraged. Additionally, we are open to research project proposals exploring challenges of migration, enforced disappearances, or the politics of remembering. Applications from all disciplines are welcome, as long as they are connected to European Studies and engage one of the fields identified above. Advanced English is required.
Strong research proposals would include plans to use specific library collections at Notre Dame or strengthen research collaborations (and co-authored publications) with specific faculty members at Notre Dame, particularly faculty fellows of the Nanovic Institute. Research proposals with clear publication plans are required. Scholars may have the opportunity to teach a 3-credit undergraduate course (to a class of 12-25 students) as part of the European Studies curriculum, and cross-listed with appropriate disciplinary departments at the university; while teaching is not required as part of the guest professorship, the Institute asks those scholars with a teaching interest to indicate this in their application and attach a rich description for their proposed class. The application deadline is January 31, 2025.
Apply to Serve as a Visiting Scholar
Questions? Contact Senior Advisor for Faculty Fellow Affairs and Partnerships Fr. Jim Lies, CSC.
Expectations
Scholars should be present on campus and actively working on their project during business days (Monday-Friday) for the full range of these dates, except the university holidays and the spring or fall university break when classes are not in session; vacations or travel on non-research business should be limited to the holiday or break times. (View the University’s academic calendar.)
During the semester, it is expected that scholars will engage in service to the Nanovic Institute that would occupy around 30% of the scholar’s time. This may include: attending most Institute events in order to be a part of its intellectual community; offering lectures in classes or teaching a course as arranged with the director; meeting with the Nanovic community to share research progress; attending meetings as required (including welcome sessions, meetings of the Institute’s faculty fellows, and exit interviews); submit a final report; and contribute to the Institute as requested by the director, which may include the drafting of a blog post, the review of draft chapter(s) or research paper, or advising students.
Attribution in any publications resulting from the stay is expected, giving credit to the Patrick and Angela Adams Fellowship, Nanovic Institute for European Studies, University of Notre Dame.
Qualifications
Ph.D. or equivalent required. To be considered, applicants must have either (1) an appointment at a Catholic institution in Central or Eastern Europe, (2) research connected to Catholic issues, or (3) strong connections to the Nanovic Institute or faculty members at the University of Notre Dame. A strong preference is for scholars at institutions of the Catholic Universities Partnership.
What is provided?
For semester-long visiting scholars in the fall and the spring semesters, the Nanovic Institute provides the following:
- Stipend, paid monthly.
- Private apartment housing for the scholar (note: housing is provided up to an occupancy of 4 total individuals in the immediate family of the scholar (spouse and dependent children on J-2 visas).
- Roundtrip airfare (up to $1,400.00 USD) for the scholar.
- Ground transportation to/from Chicago O’Hare Airport and the Notre Dame campus.
- A private office at the Nanovic Institute.
- Full access to the Hesburgh Libraries.
- Semester visitors will be eligible for health insurance benefits through the university. For questions see hr.nd.edu.
Eligibility and instructions
To be eligible for consideration to serve as a visiting scholar in 2025-26, applicants must apply using the Interfolio platform and follow the instructions listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the campus like?
The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Notre Dame is an independent, national Catholic research university located adjacent to the city of South Bend, Indiana, and approximately 90 miles east of Chicago. You can explore the Notre Dame campus through a virtual tour or through the campus map. For more about the local community, see this issue of Notre Dame Magazine.
View shuttle bus schedule.
Are there on-campus fitness facilities?
There are several facilities as well as a multitude of fitness classes offered through RecSports. We also highly recommend the walking fitness routes around our campus. View campus fitness map.
What is the weather like in Indiana?
The weather varies greatly fluctuate between -21°C (-5°F) in the winter to over 33°C (92°F) in the summer. These temperatures do not include humidity or wind chill which can intensify the conditions. Review local weather trends online at The Weather Channel in preparation for your time on campus.