Visiting Scholars from the Global South

Every academic year, the Faculty of Divinity sponsors a scholar based in the Global South (defined as countries on the list of ODA recipients) to come to Cambridge as an academic visitor for one term. For 2024/25 we are partnering with the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH), which will enable us to bring in three visiting scholars for the Lent term (January–March 2025). The themed call for applications in on "Religious Boundaries." For details of the call and how to apply, please see the CRASSH website.

Academic Visitors

We are able to give the title 'Visiting Scholar' to those who are already engaged in an academic career, evidenced through academic publications, and who are employed in a University or Theological College (Seminary), either in the UK or in another country. Such a person will normally have a PhD and will probably wish to come to Cambridge for part or the whole of a sabbatical leave - anything up to a year is possible - to work on material available here in Cambridge or attached to one of our projects. During their stay academic visitors will participate in the research life of the Faculty, for example by attending a senior research seminar and sharing in discussion with colleagues and graduate researchers.

What We Can Offer

• For a nominal fee (plus Value Added Tax), we are able to offer Visiting Scholars an academic 'home' in Cambridge, with the use of Faculty and University facilities such as libraries, computing, and common rooms, and entry to such lectures and seminars throughout the University as may interest you.
• If you want a University ID card and/or Raven, Cambridge email, etc, please make your request online using this form.
• Visiting scholars will have a mentor during their visit. Guidance for visiting scholars can be found here.

Timetable for Applications

Applications need to be planned well in advance of any projected visit to Cambridge, especially if other applications (such as leave from your own institution) depend on a positive decision from the Faculty.

Please note that applications will only be considered once a term with the following deadlines (WITHOUT EXCEPTION):

• 15 September (for consideration at the October meeting of the Research Committee)
• 15 December (for the January meeting) and
• 15 April (for the May meeting)

Applications will be judged strictly on academic merit. Decisions will be communicated to the applicants shortly after the meeting of the committee. 

How to Apply

• Please send a full curriculum vitae with a detailed covering letter stating why and for how long you wish to come to Cambridge, and an outline of the work you intend to do while here.
• Please ask two academic referees to write to us on your behalf stating the reasons why it would be helpful for you to spend time in Cambridge.

The complete application needs to be sent to:

Dr Peter Harland
Administrative Officer
Faculty of Divinity
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9BS

Email: administrator@divinity.cam.ac.uk

Tel: 01223 763017