The Russell Sage Foundation's Visiting Scholars Program provides a unique opportunity for select scholars in the social, economic and behavioral sciences to pursue their research and writing while in residence at the Foundation’s New York headquarters. Research carried out by Visiting Scholars constitutes an important part of the Foundation’s ongoing effort to analyze and understand the complex and shifting nature of social and economic life in the United States. While Visiting Scholars typically work on projects related to the Foundation’scurrent programs, a few scholars whose research falls outside these areas are occasionally invited as well. Descriptions of our prior visiting scholar classes along with summaries of their projects attest to the diversity of scholars, disciplines and projects selected.
Deadline: June 25, 2024
All scholar applicants must have a Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree, or a career background that establishes their ability to conduct high-level, peer-reviewed scholarly research. Most selected applicants are typically several years beyond the Ph.D. The Foundation does not accept applications to the Visiting Scholar program from doctoral or other graduate students. Individuals are allowed a maximum of two visits to the Foundation as a Visiting Scholar—the second visit may not occur within 7 years of the first visit.
Scholars are provided with an office at the foundation, a computer and software, access to research materials including online journals and databases, and salary support of up to 50 percent of their academic year salary – up to a maximum of $125,000 for the full year, or $62,500 for half of the year – when unavailable from research grants or other sources. RSF support will be limited to less than 50% when funds from other sources (including university sabbatical support) provide more than 50% of the academic year salary. Scholars who reside outside the greater New York City area are provided with a partially subsidized apartment near the Foundation offices. If scholars are fully funded by external sources, the RSF apartment may be fully subsidized. Childcare subsidies are also available for children below the age of 13.
In exceptional cases, applicants may request more than 50% of their current academic salary (up to a maximum of $125,000) when their employer does not provide paid sabbaticals. The following circumstances will receive consideration when sabbatical support or funds from other sources are not available: (1) tenure track faculty within 7 years of having completed a PhD (excluding time off for parental leave); (2) scholars in non-tenure track research positions (excluding post-doctoral fellows); or (3) researchers at non-profit organizations, government agencies, or other similar research-focused positions.
Because of the high cost of living in New York City, RSF provides a minimum salary for scholars who are offered a fellowship. Under certain circumstances and conditional on the guidelines above, those earning less than $90,000 per year may receive a salary supplement from RSF that is in addition to its standard 50% contribution. The sum of the supplement and the scholar’s annual salary would total $90,000 for the fellowship period ($45,000 for one term visitors).
