Inclusions
- During their placement, visiting researchers will have access to UOW facilities, infrastructure and research resources to support their work.
- The scheme provides support throughout the application process, including visa sponsorship where required and high-level immigration advice.
- Visiting researchers are responsible for meeting all visa and travel costs, international health insurance, and all living and accommodation costs while in Australia.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program you must:
- Be supported by your home institution to conduct the research collaboration.
- Be supported by a host academic and faculty at the University of Wollongong.
- Demonstrate genuine collaboration through specific research outputs, grant applications, PhD supervision or any other research commitment for the proposed research.
- Be accepted and approved into the scheme following UOW’s risk assessment process.
Exclusion criteria:
- If the candidate is from a sanctioned framework defined by the Australian Sanctions Office, and/or
- If the proposed project involves critical technology, dual-use activities and/or goods listed on the Defence and Strategic Goods List.
- If other risks are identified that can not be appropriately managed.
How to apply
Applications and support are managed through the host faculty and require a host academic. To begin the process, contact the relevant faculty to register your interest and identify a host academic or supervisor.
Approval is a two-step process: UOW application and Visa application.
Step 1: UOW application process
Timeframe: Typically 2-6 weeks, depending on application volume and complexity.
- The host Academic and visiting researcher connect (typically through existing networks) and discuss a collaborative research proposal.
- The faculty grants endorsement support.
- The application is submitted to UOW for processing and consideration, which includes:
- Background screening
- Vetting and risk assessment
- Approval by delegated authority
- If approved, UOW issues a letter of invitation and confirms visa sponsorship and support.
Step 2: Visa Application
Timeframe: Typically 3-12 months
- On receipt of the letter of invitation, the applicant applies for the appropriate visa. UOW provides sponsorship and high-level support throughout this process.
- The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) processes the visa application. Please note this can take significant time, and UOW has no ability to influence DOHA's processing timeframes.
- On receipt of the visa, the applicant is approved to enter Australia, and UOW will sign the agreement offer.
