Visiting Scholar Grants

Proposals will be accepted from: 

• All levels and ranks of Full-Time faculty from one of UC’s strategic and developing partner institutions 
• Staff who have direct contact with students, contribute to research, or whose positions directly support students’ educational process 

Not eligible: 

• PhD students 
• Adjunct instructors 
• Any other part-time instructional or research staff

Projects not eligible for funding:

• Projects that have received this award in the past
• Trips already taken or currently underway 
• Attending or presenting at an international conference 
• Developing a new student exchange program 
• Developing a new faculty-led study abroad program 
• Shadowing an existing faculty-led study abroad program 

• Travel must be completed during the 2027 calendar year. 
• Recipients must follow all university travel procedures and work with departmental hosts to develop the visit agenda. 

Before the visit:

• Agree to a collaborative project that aligns with the interests of the UC and applicant’s univerisity’s unit/department/lab  (UC departmental host and Visiting Scholar applicant)
• Write a letter of support to be the host for the Visiting Scholar for their Visiting Scholar Grant application. (UC departmental host)
• Communicate with the Visiting Scholar and your unit, department or outside departmental offices to develop a visit agenda for the Visiting Scholar to fulfill the outcomes of the project proposal, facilitate a meaningful visit to UC, and provide opportunity for connection for further collaboration. (UC departmental host)
• Prepare/request UC credentials, keys or access for the visitor, if needed. (UC departmental host)
• Provide invitation letter for visa or ESTA application. (UC International)
• Book and pay for round trip airfare to Cincinnati. (UC International)
• Reserve and pay for lodging for 7-10 nights at Clifton House or alternate location. (UC International)

During the visit:

• Help the Visiting Scholar with airport pickup/transportation to lodging if needed. (UC departmental host)
• Help the Visiting Scholar with orientation to campus if needed. (UC departmental host)
• Act as primary contact for the Visiting Scholar's UC agenda throughout the visit. (UC departmental host)
• Discuss mutual proposed project, included activities, and outcomes that will occur after visit. (UC departmental host)
• Host the Visiting Scholar for any additional meals with unit, department, or individuals if arranged. (UC departmental host)
• Host one lunch or coffee meeting for the Visiting Scholar and the departmental host. (UC International)

After the visit:

• Continue collaboration on identified next steps for further engagement as it involves your unit, department, or individual research. (UC departmental host)
• Follow up with the Visiting Scholar about their final report. (UC International)
• Submit final report (Visiting Scholar)

Applicants must identify a UC department and faculty host who agrees to support the proposed project and host the visit.  

Applications must be submitted by the current cycle deadline of 5:00pm EDT on Friday, October 16, 2026. 

Grant applications must include: 

1. A project proposal that includes: 
   1. the objectives of your visit 
   2. whether this visit is part of an existing collaboration, including its history
   3. the proposed outcomes and activities
   4. the expected long-term impact upon the partnership between UC and your home institution both at the faculty and institutional level
2. Abbreviated CV  
3. Letter of support from the applicant's supervisor  
4. Letter of support from the UC host

Successful applicants agree to submit a summary report to both UC's International Office and their home institution’s international office. The report must include: 

• Details of the visit 
• Activities carried out 
• Contacts made 
• Next steps for further engagement 

Reports are due within one month after completion of the visit. 

• Prerana Srimaal, Christ University, India, hosted by Laura Zanotti, School of Environment and Sustainability, A&S: Collaborate on a research project, “Ecologies of Displacement."
• Marwa El Maghawry, Future University in Egypt, hosted by Charles Appeadu, Finance, LCB: Collaborate on a research project, “Sovereign Risk Premiums Under Geopolitical Stress.
• Mohammed El Sherbiny, Future University in Egypt, hosted by Hazem Elzarka, Construction Management, CEAS: Exchange knowledge in the field of sustainability and green buildings; establish dual-degree master’s programs between the Faculties of Engineering at both universities; explore opportunities for future joint research projects across areas of mutual interest.
• Thomas Chung-Kuang Yang, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan, hosted by Junhan Dong Chemical & Environmental Engineering, CEAS: Research on "Membrane-Integrated Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Water Splitting: Ion-Exchange Engineering for Efficient and Stable Solar Hydrogen Production in Saline Media."
• Harsh Kapadia, Nirma University, India, hosted by Manish Kumar, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, CEAS: Collaborate on the project “Pothole Detection, Measurement and Analysis using UAV, 3D Camera and AI."
• Ruchi Gajjar, Nirma University, India, hosted by Surya Prasath, College of Medicine: Investigate and develop AI-based imaging frameworks with a central focus on segmentation, classification, and restoration (denoising and deblurring) in microscopy image datasets.
• Sigal Achituv, Oranim College, Israel, hosted by Miriam Raider-Roth, Education, CECH: Strengthen the strategic partnership; draw upon the Arlitt Child Development Center and the School of Education (CECH) as core resources to help shape Oranim’s strategy for early childhood education in Israel.
• Janneth Aldana, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, hosted by Erynn Casanova, Sociology, A&S: Strengthen teaching and research collaboration between the Sociology departments of Javeriana and UC.
• Andre Benine, Université de Bordeaux, France, hosted by Sameh Eisa, Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, CEAS: Strengthen research collaboration between the Modeling, Dynamics and Control Lab (MDCL) in UC Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics and the CRONE team from the University of Bordeaux in areas such as modeling of systems dynamics and control theory; explore developing joint courses or projects for students.
• Gloria Tachie-Donkor, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, hosted by Liz Discaden, UC Libraries: Strengthen the collaboration between the University of Cape Coast Library System (UCCLS) and the University of Cincinnati Libraries.
• Isaac Mbir Bryant, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, hosted by Any Townsend-Small, Environment and Sustainability, A&S: Develop joint curricula on water treatment and renewable energy programs for students exchanges; develop collaborative research on water treatment and renewable energy for both bachelor and postgraduate students with cross-university supervision; develop joint classes on water treatment and renewable energy for credit at both universities.
• Allie Farhahna, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by Pietro Strobbia, Chemistry, A&S: Work on the research project “Developing Field-Deployable SERS-Based Biosensors for Rapid Detection of Economically Important Tomato Viruses in South Africa."
• Jace Pillay, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by Kathryn Doyle, Education, CECH: Work on collaboration in special education, school-based mental health, autism, supports, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Mauro Caselli, Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy, hosted by Olivier Parent & Michael Jones, Economics, LCB: Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between UC and the University of Trento (UT), with a particular focus on digital transformation.

• Mudita Sinha, Christ University, India, hosted by Asawari Deshmukh, Economics, LCB: Research and curriculum development in Behavioral Economics, including designing a COIL program and a cross-disciplinary student workshop on Behavioral Economics for Sustainable Marketing.
• Ahmad Deifalla, Future University in Egypt, hosted by Hazem Elzarka, Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, CEAS, and Shaaban A. Abdallah, Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, CEAS: Joint research in the area of material in energy structures; establish collaborative curricula/programs for both undergraduate and/or graduate students, in particular adding resilience concepts to reinforced concrete courses.
• Yehya Serag, Future University in Egypt, hosted by Hazem Elzarka, Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, CEAS: Collaborate on a research project, “The Use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Extended Reality (XR) in Engineering Education."
• Saravanan Sampoornam Pape, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India, hosted by Shesh Rai, Biostatistics, Health Information & Data Science, College of Medicine: Collaborate on a research project, “Functional Genomics of Periodontal Ligament Cells: Insights from Single-Cell RNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis."
• Yi-Ting Lai, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taiwan, hosted by Jingjie Wu, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, CEAS: Work on a research project developing new technologies for CO2 removal and reduction through the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR).
• Absar Lakdavala, Nirma University, India, hosted by Milind A. Jog, Mechanical Engineering, CEAS: Collaborate on a research project, “Development of Electrohydrodynamic Module in OpenFOAM Platform to Study the Effect of Electric Field on Dynamics of Sessile Drop."
• Minerva Campion, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, hosted by Camila Paez Bernal, Political Science, A&S: Participate as guest speaker for the Latin American Politics course; research collaboration; participate in a seminar on the feminist movement in Colombia and a seminar on Rock and Politics in Latin America.
• Florian Freitag, with Barbara Buchenau funded by UDE, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Germany, hosted by Todd Herzog, School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies and the Department of Asian, Eastern European and German Studies, A&S; Kate Bonansinga, Art, DAAP; and David Stradling, Environment and Sustainability, A&S: Guest lectures on scripts and theming; fieldwork on both campuses to establish a website about  concrete sites of cultivating postindustrial greening, including video essays; hybrid session connecting courses taught at UDE and UC with a teaching intervention that allows students in each program to see the perspective of its transatlantic twin.
• Felicia Elinam Dzamesi, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, hosted by Victoria Carr, Education, CECH: Observe the laboratory preschool at the UC's Arlitt Center for Education, Research, and Sustainability; design preservice and in-service action research projects, replicating how these are implemented at Arlitt in ways that will transfer to Ghanian contexts; create a shared research agenda that focuses on play and sustainability.
• Sarita Ramsaroop, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by Laura Dell, Education, CECH: Visit PK-12 schools to observe students, student teachers, mentor teachers and their classroom practices; connect with potential faculty collaborators on possible joint projects or joint research publications. 

• Aasita Bali, Christ University, India, hosted by Nancy Jennings, School of Communication, Film and Media Studies, A&S: Identify areas for research sessions/webinars for undergrads and graduate students; develop common or joint classes between UC's School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies and Christ's Department of Media Studies; conduct collaborative faculty and student research; interact with  UC experts about integrating communication with health, gender, policy, and sustainability in curriculum development; establish articulation agreements.
• Cyril John, Christ University, India, hosted by the Center for Criminal Justice Research, CECH and the School of Social Work, CAHS: Foster interdisciplinary academic collaboration between the fields of Social Work and Correctional Services; facilitate guest lectures and co-teaching opportunities; visit and foster engagement with local NGOs and correctional centers.
• Lara Shaalan, Future University in Egypt, hosted by Mike Wagner, Management, LCB: Collaborative research on sustainable SHRM in the development of employees; evaluate the drives and practices of SHRM to provide organizations with a strategy for ensuring sustainable practices in future events.
• Noura Eissa, Future University in Egypt, hosted by Olivier Parent, Economics, LCB: Interact with UC faculty and students in research on "Dimensions of the Transition towards the Digital Economy and the Sustainable Economy."
• Manisha Shah, Nirma University, India, hosted by Nitin Nitin, Electrical and Computer Engineering, CEAS: Create a long-term relationship for curriculum development, project funding, student and faculty exchange programs, etc., by 1) collaborative research and teaching/learning best practices; 2) exploring research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students; 3) establishing a joint innovative, multi-disciplinary project for agencies like the Department of Science & Technology - Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF), etc.; 4) integrate soft computing algorithms to control real-time applications like electric vehicles more effectively and securely.
• Esther Oppong Eshun, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, hosted by K.P. Ananthapadmanabhan, Pharmacy: Receive requisite training in cosmetic and other oral health product development, including characterization and testing, by attending the 1-week intensive laboratory session of the UC Cosmetic Science program to build capacity of UCC faculty in cosmetic and oral health product development and formulation science.
• Mac-Anthony Cobblah, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, hosted by Elizabeth Kiscaden, UC Libraries: Actualize a collaboration agreement between library systems; explore collaboratively introducing innovative library and information services including Human Book Library service; explore establishing an academic department at UCC to train academic library and information professionals in Ghana; collaboratively deepen Research Output Management through digital scholarly publishing and building of institutional repositories.
• Josephine Marthina (Tina) Uys, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by Jan Marie Fritz, Planning, DAAP, and Sociology, A&S: Strengthen social intervention/clinical sociology in courses and research by 1) developing a book project focused on social intervention; 2) establishing a joint project for clinical sociology students in South Africa and social justice students at UC; 3) pursue external research funding in clinical sociology 4) co-teach and supervise graduate students in clinical sociology-related topics; promote the exchange of professors and students.
• Landi Raubenheimer, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by Kate Bonansinga, Art, DAAP: Develop the Art as a Catalyst project for the next three to five years; develop a research plan for a co-authored journal article on the role of public art in conveying understanding of belonging and place in relations to urban geopolitics or how the project could prepare future researchers.
• Caterina Mordeglia, Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy, hosted by Daniel Markovich, Classics, A&S: Plan international mobility activities for faculty and students and joint teaching and research activities.
• Corrado Malberti, Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy, hosted by Lynn Bai, Law: Foster collaboration between the respective colleges of law; understand the extent to which the ESG debate is influencing the evolution of corporate governance in the US, focusing on the role of institutional investors and the debate on corporate purpose; explore the legal tools provided by US state law to enable the re-domiciliation of legal entities across state and international borders.
• Jasenka Ostojic, University of Zagreb, Croatia, hosted by Ensembles and Conducting, CCM: Establish a new collaboration between the choral conducting programs at CCM and the Academy of Music at University of Zagreb; connect with CCM Choral Conducting and Music Education faculty and observe Masters and Doctoral programs in choral conducting and music education in general music.