Inter-Institutional and Exchange Programs

Men on bench

The Inter-Institutional Academic Collaborative (IAC)

The IAC Traveling Scholar Program enables doctoral-level students at participating Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) universities to take advantage of distinctive educational opportunities such as specialized courses, unique library collections, unusual laboratories, etc. at any other participating ACC university without change in registration or increase in tuition. Visits may be as short as two weeks or as long as two semesters (or three quarters). Because of different funding arrangements, at some universities this program may not apply to summer term enrollment. Any regularly admitted graduate student in good standing in a doctoral degree program is eligible to apply.

A limited number of relocation stipends of up to $1000 per individual are available upon application. It is not necessary, however, to win a relocation stipend in order to participate in the program.

This pilot program is for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 academic years. Continuation will be evaluated in spring, 2005.

Application Process

  1. Potential applicants should discuss their interests with their disciplinary advisers. The advisers will assess the likely value of the Traveling Scholar experience, ascertain that a comparable opportunity is not available on the student's home campus, and clear the eligibility of the student with their home-university liaison officer.
  2. If the responses to these inquiries are satisfactory, the applicant and her/his faculty adviser work together to identify and contact an appropriate faculty member at the proposed ACC host university. If the host faculty member agrees that the student is qualified to take advantage of the visit and that space and facilities are available, the student and adviser initiate and sign a formal application to the IAC Traveling Scholars Program. (Application forms are available from Liaison Officers at each collaborating university). After the department chairperson certifies that the student is in good standing in a doctoral degree program, the Liaison Officer at the home institution considers the application. If approved, the application is then sent to the Liaison Officer at the host university.
  3. In accordance with special security requirements, international students from most universities will need to be cleared for participation in the program by the International Student Office at their "home" university.
  4. At this time (or a later stage at least one month prior to beginning the Traveling Scholars Program) the student has the option of applying for a Traveling Scholar Stipend. These stipends are intended to offset the extraordinary costs of temporarily relocating one's residence (e.g., transportation and lodging), and therefore are available only to students who must relocate. Stipends awarded will vary between $250-$1000 depending upon the level of extraordinary expense that is involved. The application should be signed and submitted to the home institution liaison officer. If approved by the liaison officer, the stipend application should be forwarded to the IAC Coordinator at Box 7328, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106 or faxed to 336-758-5012 (attention IAC coordinator).
  5. The IAC Liaison Officer at the host university may request additional information at the point to clarify the student's interests and to confirm that the appropriate opportunity is available. If so the Liaison Officer obtains the necessary approvals, signs the application, and returns a copy to the Liaison Officer at the home university. The home university Liaison Officer informs the student of the acceptance.
  6. The student then makes arrangements to register and pay for the equivalent number of credits at the home university and to receive a receipt for presentation to the host university. Beyond the Traveling Scholar Stipend (if applicable), financial aid, if any, is normally provided by the home university.
  7. Having verified that the Traveling Scholar has properly registered and paid fees at the home university, the host Liaison Officer arranges for registration at the host campus. Registration at the host university provides the Traveling Scholar access to the same services and benefits available to regular graduate students on that campus. Fees may be assessed for some of the benefit or services.
  8. If, following consultation with his or her adviser, the Traveling Scholar drops one or more courses, the home university's policies on refunds will apply; adjustments for semester-quarter time differences will be made at the discretion of the home university.
  9. At the end of each term the Registrar of the host university forwards appropriate transcripts or grade reports to the IAC Liaison Officer, who in turn forwards them to the home university Liaison Office for transmittal to the Registrar for recording in the student's transcript. Traveling Scholars should check with the home university to discuss the transfer of credits.

Liaison Officers

*(Participation by the University of Maryland has been endorsed by the administration, contingent upon favorable action by their Graduate Council that meets in October, 2003.)

For the application form in PDF format, click here.
For the application form in MS Word format, click here.

Exchange Programs

The Graduate School has developed exchange programs with a number of foreign universities. These include the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) Exchange Program and ones at the University of Dresden, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, University of Wurzburg, the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University, Potsdam University, University of Salzburg, University of Venice, University of Vienna, and Trinity College-Dublin, Ireland. Candidates for these programs must have a study project that can be feasibly carried out at the designated university and must demonstrate a basic language competence. Applications procedures typically consist of the submission of the following:

  • The name of the program(s) to which the student is applying.
  • A statement of his/her proposed project, including information on why a period of study at the designated university would be useful.
  • Two letters of evaluation from faculty members familiar with the student's work.
  • An assessment of the student's facility in language to be made on the "Foreign Language Report" form.
  • An official Duke transcript.

Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) Exchange Program

For the 2004-2005 academic year, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is offering a scholarship for Ph.D. students (and recent Ph.D.s) who need or want to spend time doing research in Germany. This is a flexible, full-support award for between 1 and 10 months including travel, health insurance and other benefits. Although this award is earmarked for U.S. or Canadian citizens, students from other countries may be eligible.

As a DAAD Partner University, Duke has a guaranteed scholarship for 2004-05, so that the top nominee from Duke is practically guaranteed funding. Other applications will enter the general pool of applications. There is no limit to the number of awards Duke students can receive.

The application deadline on campus is Oct. 20, 2003 for those in all fields except fine arts and performing music. Scholarships in those fields follow separate guidelines and procedures. Interested students in these fields should contact the Program Coordinator for further information.

Interested students can learn more and download application materials at the DAAD website: http://www.daad.org. Dr. Peter McIsaac, Program Coordinator, is also available to answer questions and inquiries at 660-3170 or mcisaac@duke.edu.

Free University of Berlin

Two fellowships are available to study for 10 months in Berlin (October 1 through July 31). Students will be eligible to participate in lecture classes and seminars. For 2003-04, the participating students receive a monthly grant of €425 (or €500 if the student holds a MA or equivalent), plus free housing or a €175 housing allowance, a health insurance allowance of €300 per semester, €100 book allowance per semester, €300 for student fees and a waiver of tuition. For additional information about the Free University of Berlin, visit their web site located at http://www.fu-berlin.de/. The application deadline is early spring for the following year and application information will be posted at that time.

University of Potsdam

One or two graduate students are to be selected to study during the academic year at Potsdam. Students may also apply for one semester of study or for independent study in the summer. The student will be able to participate in lecture classes and seminars. The student will receive a monthly stipend and a waiver of tuition. Students must have their own health insurance policy valid for the Republic of Germany (they may purchase the German health insurance). For additional information about the University of Potsdam, visit their web site located at http://www.uni-potsdam.de/over/homege.htm. The application deadline is early spring for the following year and application information will be posted at that time.