Stanford Research: Open To External Students?

Stanford University occasionally invites students from other academic institutions to participate in university-sponsored research activities. These students are not enrolled in any Stanford degree programs and are identified as non-matriculated student researchers. There are two types of visiting student researchers: Undergraduate Visiting Researcher Interns (UVRIs) and Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs). UVRIs are sponsored by schools and departments to work under a faculty member in a Stanford research lab or research project. On the other hand, VSRs are graduate students enrolled at another university who visit Stanford to conduct research under the supervision of a Stanford faculty member.

Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs)

Stanford University occasionally invites students from other academic institutions to participate in university-sponsored research activities. These students are not enrolled in any Stanford degree programs and are identified as non-matriculated student researchers.

Who are Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs)?

A Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) is a student who is currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at another university but is visiting Stanford to conduct research under the supervision of a Stanford faculty member. VSRs are distinct from Visiting Scholars, who must hold a Ph.D. or be a recognised expert in their field. VSRs are appointed as non-matriculated graduate students.

There are limited instances when Stanford faculty may permit a student from another university to engage in research at Stanford using Stanford research facilities. This may include students engaged in research in a field of interest to a Stanford faculty member or a student doing a laboratory rotation as part of a larger research study or grant.

Who can sponsor a VSR?

Any Stanford faculty member in any department may sponsor a VSR. The sponsoring faculty member and the department chair must sign the letter of invitation and assume responsibility for the VSR. The faculty director of an interdisciplinary program or research centre sponsoring a VSR may sign instead of a department chair.

When agreeing to sponsor a VSR, faculty must prioritise providing research opportunities to regularly matriculated Stanford students. The sponsored student must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to other Stanford graduate students, and the research must benefit both Stanford and the visitor.

Sponsorship of a VSR is initiated by the faculty sponsor using a Letter of Invitation for Visiting Student Researchers. The letter must include a description of the research the VSR will conduct and must be signed by the faculty sponsor and the department chair. Once the student receives the signed letter, they must submit the required application materials to their sponsoring department. The department is then responsible for submitting the completed application materials at least 45 days before the anticipated VSR appointment start date.

VSR appointments can be for one to twelve months and do not need to begin at the start of an academic quarter. An extension of up to three months can be requested by the sponsoring faculty, with department chair approval, if the student is in good academic and financial standing. Any subsequent or longer extension requires a statement describing a compelling reason for the extension.

VSRs will be charged a monthly VSR fee, a quarterly Campus Health Services Fee, and Cardinal Care student health insurance unless they have comparable coverage. VSRs must remain current in their payments to maintain their status. VSRs are subject to the same rules and regulations as other Stanford graduate students, including intellectual property requirements, the Honor Code, and required safety training. They are also entitled to receive a student photo identification card, which permits entry and borrowing privileges from the library, and are eligible for graduate housing on a space-available basis.

Undergraduate Visiting Researcher Interns (UVRIs)

Stanford University occasionally invites students from other academic institutions to participate in university-sponsored research activities. These students are classified as non-matriculated student researchers and are typically invited by a sponsoring faculty member. One such classification is Undergraduate Visiting Researcher Interns (UVRIs).

Eligibility

To be eligible for a UVRI position, a student must be invited by a Stanford faculty member and currently enrolled in a bachelor's-level degree program for at least two years at an accredited U.S. college or university, or an international college or university of recognized standing. Additionally, they must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to that of Stanford undergraduates, and the research must benefit both Stanford and the student's academic career.

Timing

UVRI internships are only valid during the Summer Quarter, beginning as early as June 1 and ending no later than August 31.

Specifics

The specifics of a UVRI internship, including duties and responsibilities, are determined by the sponsor and provided to the student when they are invited to the position.

Fees, Responsibilities, and Privileges

Additional details about fees, responsibilities, restrictions, and privileges for UVRIs can be found on the Stanford University website.

Research opportunities

Stanford University offers a variety of research opportunities for both its students and students from other academic institutions. The university has a culture of collaboration that fosters innovative discoveries across various disciplines. With 15 independent labs, centres, and institutes, as well as numerous other research centres and labs sponsored by academic departments, there are ample avenues for engaging in research.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students at Stanford have the opportunity to conduct original research with Stanford faculty. They can choose to assist a faculty member with their research project or pursue their own independent research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Stanford's Undergraduate Research and Independent Projects programme connects undergraduates with faculty to conduct research, advanced scholarship, and creative projects.

Non-Matriculated Student Researchers

Stanford departments and faculty members occasionally invite students from other academic institutions to participate in university-sponsored research activities. These students are classified as non-matriculated student researchers and are not enrolled in any Stanford degree programs. There are two main categories of non-matriculated student researchers: Undergraduate Visiting Researcher Interns (UVRIs) and Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs).

Undergraduate Visiting Researcher Interns (UVRIs)

UVRIs are sponsored by schools and departments at Stanford to work under a faculty member in a research lab or on a research project. This internship is only available during the Summer Quarter, starting as early as June 1 and ending no later than August 31. To be eligible, students must be invited by a Stanford faculty member, currently enrolled in a bachelor's-level degree program for at least two years at an accredited U.S. or international college or university, and qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to Stanford undergraduates. The research must benefit both Stanford and the student's academic career.

Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs)

VSRs are students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at another university who visit Stanford to conduct research under the supervision of a Stanford faculty member. They are appointed as non-matriculated graduate students. VSR appointments can last from one to twelve months and are valid for no longer than one calendar year. To be eligible, students must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to Stanford graduate students, and the research must benefit both Stanford and the visiting student. Any visiting graduate student participating in research at Stanford for 31 or more days must be appointed as a VSR.

Application process

Stanford University occasionally invites students from other academic institutions to participate in university-sponsored research activities. These students are classified as non-matriculated student researchers and are sponsored by specific schools and departments. The two classifications for undergraduate visiting researchers are Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns (UVRIs) and Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs).

Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns (UVRIs)

UVRIs are undergraduate students who are invited by a Stanford faculty member to work under them in a Stanford research lab or on a research project. To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled and matriculating in a bachelor’s-level degree program for at least two years at an accredited U.S. college or university, or an international college or university of recognized standing. Additionally, they must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to that of Stanford undergraduates, and the research must benefit both Stanford and their academic career.

UVRIs are only appointed during the Summer Quarter, starting as early as June 1 and ending no later than August 31. To apply, students must be directly invited by a Stanford faculty member. Specifics about the duties of a particular UVRI internship are determined by the sponsor and provided when the sponsor invites the applicant to the position.

Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs)

VSRs are students who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at another university and are visiting Stanford to conduct research under the supervision of a Stanford faculty member. They are distinct from Visiting Scholars, who must hold a Ph.D. or be a recognized expert in their field. VSRs are appointed as non-matriculated graduate students, and their appointments are valid for up to one calendar year.

Any Stanford faculty member in any department may sponsor a VSR, but they must place primary emphasis on providing research opportunities to regularly matriculated Stanford students. The sponsoring faculty member and the department chair must sign a Letter of Invitation, thus assuming responsibility for the VSR. Once the student receives the signed letter of invitation, they must submit the required application materials listed in the invitation letter to their sponsoring department. The department is then responsible for submitting the completed application materials at least 45 days before the anticipated VSR appointment start date.

VSR appointments can be for one to twelve months and do not need to begin at the start of an academic quarter. International VSRs must have a DS-2019 (certification for J-1 visa status) issued by the Bechtel International Center prior to their arrival in the United States. VSRs are subject to the same rules and regulations as all Stanford graduate students, including intellectual property policies, the Honor Code, and required safety training. They are also eligible for certain privileges, such as a student photo identification card, subsidized housing, and computer accounts.

Fees, responsibilities, and privileges

Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs)

Stanford University defines a Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) as a student currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at another university who visits Stanford to conduct research under a Stanford faculty member's supervision. VSRs are appointed as non-matriculated graduate students.

Fees

• VSRs are charged a monthly fee comparable to Terminal Graduate Registration, set annually by Stanford's Board of Trustees.
• They are also charged the quarterly Campus Health Services Fee and, unless they have comparable coverage, the Cardinal Care student health insurance.
• VSRs must remain current in their payments to maintain their status; delinquent payments will result in the loss of VSR status and, if applicable, termination of their J-1 visa.

Responsibilities

• VSRs are subject to the rules and regulations required for all Stanford graduate students.
• They are required to sign a Stanford Patent and Copyright Agreement (SU-18) or, in special cases, the SU-18A agreement.
• VSRs must adhere to Stanford's Honor Code and Fundamental Standard; violations can lead to termination of their appointment.
• They must complete any required safety training, such as health and safety training and instruction in protecting human subjects.

Privileges

• VSRs are entitled to a student photo ID card, granting them entry and borrowing privileges from the library and use of recreational facilities.
• They are eligible to open computer accounts and apply for graduate on- or off-campus subsidized housing, although their priority is lower than matriculated students.
• VSRs can be employed on an hourly basis for work, including sponsored projects, and are not subject to matriculated student working hour restrictions.

Undergraduate Visiting Researcher Interns (UVRIs)

Stanford University also offers undergraduate students from other institutions the opportunity to participate in research through the Undergraduate Visiting Research Intern (UVRI) program.

Fees

The website does not specify fees for UVRIs, but it does mention that specific duties and details are determined by the sponsoring faculty member.

Privileges

• UVRIs are assigned the Undergraduate Non-Matriculated Student status during their internship, which is only valid for the Summer Quarter, from June 1 to August 31.
• To be eligible, students must be invited by a Stanford faculty member and currently enrolled in a bachelor's-level degree program for at least two years at an accredited U.S. or international college or university.
• UVRIs must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to Stanford undergraduates, and the research must benefit both Stanford and the intern's academic career.

Frequently asked questions