SCCEI Visiting Researcher Program
About the Program
The SCCEI Visiting Researcher program aims to cultivate an environment of bi-lateral learning where SCCEI faculty and researchers mentor and learn from researchers who are conducting groundbreaking and innovative empirical research focused on China's economy. Two times each year SCCEI welcomes a cohort of visiting researchers hailing from top institutions around the world. Visiting researchers are based out of our home office on Stanford's campus and work with us for up to one year. During their time at SCCEI, visiting researchers are paired with Stanford faculty and senior researchers who mentor their work and learning and help to integrate them into the SCCEI community through research opportunities and community events.
SCCEI accepts a Fall and Winter cohort of 10-12 visitors each academic year. Read through the frequently asked questions to learn more about the program and how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
We look for faculty and graduate students conducting research using high quality data and/or data-driven methodologies to build global understanding of social problems affecting China's economy. We accept researchers from data-driven social science disciplines such as economics, psychology, sociology, political science, and environmental studies. For more information about the areas in which SCCEI works, please see our Research Initiatives page.
Priority will go to candidates who have a proven record of high quality research and/or publications related to China's economy. Strong candidates will have a well written research statement that outlines a clear learning and research plan for their residency at Stanford.
Applicants can be from global universities and institutions, but must either be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or have already completed and received their Ph.D. to be eligible.
SCCEI accepts a Fall and Winter cohort of 10-12 visitors each academic year. The Fall cohort is invited to join SCCEI between August 1 - October 1, while the Winter cohort begins between January 1 - 31.
SCCEI visitors will all be offered:
• J-visa sponsorship for themselves and any family members, as applicable
• Desk and/or office space in Encina Hall
• Mentorship from SCCEI faculty and scholars
• Opportunities to audit Stanford courses and present their research
• A warm welcome from the SCCEI community, and full inclusion in SCCEI seminars and events
Visitors are accepted for a 6-month or 12-month long appointment based on the visitor’s preference and SCCEI space allocations. In rare cases, appointments can be extended for an additional year; this will be determined jointly between the visitor and SCCEI leadership towards the end of the original appointment date.
Prospective visitors are required to submit an online application that requests basic background and educational information, a short research plan, and a copy of their CV in English.
Applications for visitors applying to join SCCEI for the 2024 - 2025 academic year must submit their applications by December 31, 2023. Applications for the 2023-2024 SCCEI Visiting Researcher Program are closed.
The SCCEI Visiting Researcher program is highly competitive. SCCEI receives upwards of 50 visitor applications each year and can only accept a fraction of them. All applications go through an initial screening before careful review and selection by a committee of Stanford faculty.
Decision letters are typically sent to accepted candidates in early February. If you have not heard back from us by mid-March, you have not been accepted as a SCCEI Visiting Researcher. All accepted candidates will be asked to accept or decline the position by March 1.
We ask that you wait to request additional documentation until you receive your decision letter from our admissions committee.
After receiving your acceptance letter in early February, you may request additional information from your SCCEI contact. They will help curate the necessary documents and share them with you. SCCEI administration requires at least two weeks notice to generate any additional requested documentation.