Visiting Scholars Program

UTHealth Houston welcomes visitors from across the United States and around the world for observation, research training, and educational experiences

The Visiting Scholars Program (VSP) applies to individuals who are not compensated by UTHealth Houston, and are not enrolled in UTHealth Houston educational programs, but are granted access to university property, facilities, and/or information systems for a specific period for approved training or educational purposes.

Individuals interested in participating in one of the below categories, must contact directly the department of choice to identify a faculty sponsor.

Once the faculty sponsor agrees to host Applicant, the department will initiate the online application for the appropriate category (applicant will receive a unique link to their online application).

Any questions related to the application process and/or application status, applicants need to contact directly their faculty/department sponsor.

Visiting Scholar Program Categories

Visiting Student

Student who are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree program at another institution of higher education (their “home institution”), who seeks an educational experience/training/shadowing/observing from UTHealth Houston faculty and staff, at UTHealth Houston facilities and/or UT Physicians Clinics, but is not registered and not enrolled in a course at UTHealth Houston.

The main purpose of the Visiting Student’s educational/training experience at UTHealth Houston must be related to their current degree program, with an interest in a health care related field and/or fulfill an educational requirement of the student’s home institution. Visiting Students receive specific training at UTHealth Houston in research and/or health education, appropriate to their educational objectives and qualifications. The general purpose of the training is to learn how to conduct research, data collection, and participate in other non-clinical hands-on activities (visiting clinical educational experiences are only permitted as specified in a program agreement with the student’s home institution). Visiting Students must remain enrolled, in good standing, at the home institution for the duration of their learning experience at UTHealth Houston. In order to comply with various accreditation requirements, an agreement with the applicant’s home institution will be required (before the training can begin) if the visiting student will receive credit for their educational/training experience at UTHealth Houston and/or if the educational/training experience is related to an educational requirement from their home institution.

The duration of training is limited to a one year appointment, with enrollment verification required for each semester.

Must be at least 18 years old on the start date.

For more information: Guidelines & Requirements for Visiting Students

NOTE: does not apply to individuals seeking an official medical elective, to 4th year medical students; please contact the McGovern Medical School Office of Admissions and Student Affairs for more information on medical electives.
Observer

Individuals who hold a high school or higher degree with an interest in a health care related field and are seeking to observe (i.e. only to shadow, watch, and listen; no hands-on activities allowed) UTHealth Houston including UT Physicians clinics.
Observers cannot provide clinical care, cannot perform any patient care, and cannot participate in or perform research, data collection or any other hands-on activities.
Limited to two months in any one division/department.

Must be at least 18 years old on the start date.

Fee (non-refundable and non-transferable): $100.00 USD for U.S. citizen/U.S. permanent resident and $775.00 USD for Foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens/non-U.S. permanent resident)

For more information: Guidelines & Requirements for Observers
Professional Trainee

Individuals who hold an undergraduate or higher degree with an interest in a health care related field and are seeking additional non-clinical hands-on training in research and health education, for educational purposes and/or professional development, for their own benefit; may observe clinical practices but cannot provide clinical care, cannot perform any patient care, cannot have any type of direct patient contact. Professional Trainees receive specific training in research and health education, appropriate to their educational qualifications.

Limited to four months in any one division/department.

Must be at least 18 years old on the start date.

Fee (non-refundable and non-transferable): $100.00 USD for U.S. citizen/U.S. permanent resident and $775.00 USD for Foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens/non-U.S. permanent resident).

For more information: Guidelines & Requirements for Professional Trainees
Visiting Scientist

The purpose of the Visiting Scientist Program is to bring to UTHealth Houston established and accomplished scholars who can contribute to and enrich the university’s research, intellectual and academic endeavors. Visiting Scientists should currently hold an appointment comparable to UTHealth Houston faculty. Most Visiting Scientists are granted sabbatical leave from their home universities or research centers. The main purpose is to participate in collaborative projects, conduct collaborative research, and other non-clinical hands-on activities. (Note: The Visiting Scientist Program is not designed for those in the early stages of their career. These individuals can explore opportunities to enhance their training and research experience through the Professional Trainee category after identifying a faculty member at UTHealth Houston who will serve in a mentoring role for the visitor).

Minimum appointment is 6 months; maximum initial appointment is 12 months.

Fee (non-refundable and non-transferable): $5,000.00 USD for U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, and Foreign nationals

For more information: Guidelines & Requirements for Visiting Scientists

Mandatory Compliance Training

UTHealth Houston requires that all Visiting Scholars receive certain compliance training, including, training about Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and HIPAA. This training must be completed prior to or on the approved start date and is a condition of the Visiting Scholars’ appointment at UTHealth.

Instructions to access the online Compliance Training will be sent to the Visiting Scholars once the application has been approved.

Please note:

An Applicant may not participate in UTHealth Houston activities (in-person and/or virtual) until an approval email is sent by the Visiting Scholars Program and all intake processes are completed.
UTHealth Houston Schools and departments may charge separate fees to participate in the Visiting Scholars Program.
This process does not apply to individuals seeking an official medical elective (handled by McGovern Medical School, Office of Admissions and Students Affairs), Visiting Students who are enrolled through the Registrar in UTHealth educational programs, postdoctoral fellows, individuals with visiting faculty appointments or individuals employed by UTHealth. Such individuals continue to follow procedures as established by individual schools and relevant departments.

^[1]This application process does not apply for Volunteers (see “Volunteer Program Process”) or Postdoctoral Fellows (see “Office of Postdoctoral Affairs”). ^[2] Foreign is defined as anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.