Visiting Scholars Program applications open at UC Berkeley for 2027–2028
Established researchers examining legal institutions and socio-legal change can now apply for the University of California, Berkeley Center for the Study of Law and Society Visiting Scholars Program.
Applications opened on September 11, 2026, and will close on March 2, 2027. The multidisciplinary program brings together scholars working across sociology of law, political science, criminal justice, law and economics, and related fields.
Applicants must propose research aligning with at least one of the Center’s three core themes. These focus areas cover criminal justice, inequality, and democracy and civil society.
Research themes and residency requirements at CSLS
Prospective scholars must hold a PhD, JD, or a foreign equivalent. The program considers stays ranging from one semester to a full academic year.
Summer-only residency applications are generally not competitive due to limited programming during those months. Successful candidates gain access to Berkeley Law library privileges, weekly speaker series, and shared office space when available.
Applicants must submit a full curriculum vitae alongside a detailed research proposal. International applicants must provide proof of adequate English proficiency through recognized examinations, academic documentation, or interviews.
Scholars must fund living expenses and fees
The visiting scholar position is entirely unfunded and provides no stipends. Scholars must secure independent financial support to cover living expenses and mandatory campus fees.
International visitors requiring a J-1 visa face minimum monthly funding requirements set at $2,000 for the scholar, plus $600 for a J-2 spouse and $400 for each child. CSLS charges program fees of $3,500 for stays up to six months and $7,000 for full-year placements.
A $750 university service fee applies during the first year. Foreign visitors needing a DS-2019 immigration document must also pay an $850 processing fee.
The submission window closes on March 2, 2027. Application results will be communicated in mid-March 2027.
