skip to content

Bulletin Archive

This archived information is dated to the 2011-12 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Visiting Student Researchers

Up one level:

Graduate Admission

In limited instances, it is to the benefit of Stanford faculty to permit graduate students who have not yet obtained a Ph.D. (or its foreign equivalent) to engage in research on the Stanford campus. This could include students from other universities who are engaged in graduate-level research in a field of interest to the faculty member, or students doing a research rotation as part of a larger research study or grant .

These students must be registered as Visiting Student Researchers if they are in residence at Stanford for more than 30 days; they may be registered as Visiting Student Researchers if they are in residence for fewer than 30 days in order to receive the services available to Visiting Student Researchers. Visiting Student Researcher appointments are limited to one year in duration. Invited persons must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to that of other Stanford graduate students, and the research must be of benefit to Stanford as well as to the visitor. Forms for the appointment of Visiting Student Researchers are submitted to Graduate Admissions, Office of the University Registrar by the department issuing the invitation.

Under limited circumstances, the faculty sponsor may request an extension of the Visiting Student Researcher's appointment beyond one year. Such extensions require the concurrence of the student's home institution. Extensions beyond the second year are extremely rare, and require approval in advance from the office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education

Visiting Student Researchers are charged a monthly Visiting Student Researcher fee for each month in which they hold this appointment at Stanford, including partial months. They may waive the University's student medical insurance plan only if they have comparable coverage with another carrier and submit proof of the comparable coverage prior to the term start date. Visiting Student Researchers are not entitled to any financial support from Stanford University. They may not be appointed to any assistantship positions nor hold any named Stanford fellowships. Funds intended for the support of matriculated Stanford students may not be used to support Visiting Student Researchers. Stanford cannot certify visiting researchers for deferment of U.S. educational loans.

Visiting Student Researchers are not permitted to enroll in or audit any courses, but in quarters in which they are registered as Visiting Student Researchers, they are eligible for the usual student benefits of nonmatriculated student status. Students in this status are eligible for graduate on-campus housing on a space-available basis. They are also eligible for participation in the programs offered by the Graduate Life Office.

Visiting Student Researchers are subject to the rules and regulations of Stanford University. These include:

Citizens of other countries who enter the United States to be Visiting Student Researchers at Stanford must have a DS-2019 Certificate (to apply for a J-1 visa) issued by the Bechtel International Center and must be registered each quarter, including Summer Quarter, to maintain their visa status.

See also the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook, Activating Nonmatriculated Graduate Students (GAP 2.3), at http://gap.stanford.edu/2-3.html.

© Stanford University - Office of the Registrar. Archive of the Stanford Bulletin 2011-12. Terms of Use | Copyright Complaints