Visiting scholar (sometimes called a visiting scientist) and faculty appointments are covered by AR 5:1 and the Provost Policy Statement- Protocol for Appointing Visiting Scholars (2019).

If an exchange visitor is enrolled in any university, (even as an ABD Ph.D. candidate), follow the instructions for appointing visiting graduate students. 

It is important to note the difference between visiting scholars and visiting faculty members. Visiting scholars do research while at UK and do not teach, while visiting faculty are primarily assigned teaching responsibilities. 

Visiting scholars have temporary appointments with the University, not to exceed one year. Renewals are only accepted for approval by the Provost in rare instances and must be well justified. Visiting scholars do not typically receive a salary from the University and are eligible for some UK benefits. For a complete list of benefits visiting scholars are eligible for, see AR 5:1.  

The domestic visiting scholar appointment process is covered by section A below. The international visiting scholar appointment is a two-step process (A and B below). 

A. Complete the following steps to appoint a visiting scholar in M-G CAFE: 

1. A faculty member may identify a scholar they would like to invite to participate in research at the University of Kentucky as a visiting scholar.
2. Request a complete CV from the candidate.
3. In writing, the sponsoring faculty member should request permission from their academic unit leader to extend an offer to the visiting scholar. This correspondence between the sponsoring faculty member and the academic unit leader should outline dates and expectations set on the proposed visiting scholar. This may be done via email.
4. The sponsoring faculty member should send an offer letter to the visiting scholar outlining dates and expectations of the appointment. This may be done by email.
5. The academic unit leader should complete the M-G CAFE Visiting Scholar Form. 
6. Attach the scholar’s CV, a copy of the offer letter, a copy of the correspondence between the sponsoring faculty member, and the Visiting Scholar Form to an email and send to the Office of Faculty Resources, Planning and Assessment at cafe-frpa@uky.edu.  
7. Once the Dean has approved the appointment, the packet will be forwarded to the Provost’s Office for final approval. 
8. The sponsoring unit adds the Visiting Scholar's information into SAP so that they are able to receive the UK benefits available to them as well as have other automated routines run successfully. The Visiting Scholar Form, signed by the associate dean, must be attached to the request in the SAP workflow system. 

B. International Visiting Scholars

As soon as an academic unit knows that they want to recruit an international visiting scholar, they should begin working with UK International Scholar and Student Services, and review the information about J-1 visas available at the International Center. At a minimum the start date of a visiting scholar should be 60 days after the university approves the visit; however, it can take several months to process a visa application, and thought should be given to allowing enough time to prepare for delays and extenuating circumstances. Sufficient health coverage is required to be indicated as well as minimum financial record demonstration depending on the scholar/family involved. The health coverage and financial record demonstration needs to be included in the invitation/offer letter. More information can be found through the International Center in order to meet this requirement.

Dr. Carol Hanley is the M-G CAFE Director for International Programs for assistance with international visitors and may advise on matters related to their recruitment, visa processing, on-boarding, and other aspects of their visit to UK. The i-CAT coordinators are listed below for each unit:

Dr. Carol Hanley

• Agricultural Economics
• Animal and Food Sciences
• Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
• CEDIK
• Center for Student Success
• Community & Leadership Development
• Dietetics & Human Nutrition
• Family Sciences
• Forestry and Natural Resources
• KY Tobacco Research & Dev Center
• Landscape Architecture
• Retailing and Tourism Management
• School of Human Environmental Sciences
• Veterinary Science

• Entomology
• Plant Pathology

• Horticulture
• Plant and Soil Sciences