Visiting Scholars Program
The NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology invites scholars to apply to its
Visiting Scholars Program. The goal of this program is to enhance collaborations between biological and mathematical scientists and to stimulate creative thinking and interdisciplinary science.
The Visiting Scholars Program allows visitors from outside Northwestern University and the University of Chicago to engage deeply with the NITMB. This can take several different forms, with examples including (but not limited to):
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Concentrated research teams, in which 3-6 scholars from multiple institutions gather at the NITMB for up to 9 days to focus intently on an ambitious joint research project. These teams may apply to return in subsequent years to continue their collaborations.
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Long-term sabbatical stays for faculty.
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Visiting collaborations for postdoctoral scholars and PhD candidates, in which they would embed with NITMB researchers and work on a joint project, lasting anywhere between a week and a full quarter.
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Recurring local visitors are local Chicagoland scholars wishing to engage in NITMB activities on a regular cadence, such as once a week, with a flexible approach intended to meet the needs of faculty of teaching-intensive institutions.
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Post-workshop synthesis meetings, in which past NITMB workshop participants return to the NITMB to continue work on a project catalyzed at the workshop or prepare, for example, a review article or perspective piece on a workshop topic. We envision such synthesis workshops taking place within the year following a workshop to develop an emerging research direction.​
When applying to the Visiting Scholars Program, please describe the format and duration of your proposed program and explain how it will support your research objectives and how your work is consonant with or expands NITMB's research mission. Research objectives that will be achieved with the input of one or more NITMB collaborators from complementing disciplines are encouraged but not required.
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Through the Visiting Scholars Program, the NITMB may cover housing expenses and/or a living stipend and may reimburse travel expenses for those who reside more than 50 miles away (gsa.gov rates apply). NITMB also provides office space and meeting rooms for Visiting Scholars.
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NITMB Visiting Scholar applications are open to all areas of pure and applied mathematics and all areas of basic biological sciences. (Please note that medical and/or clinical sciences research are not supported by the NITMB.) We welcome mathematicians in areas of mathematics that have not traditionally been used in biological contexts or who wish to learn more about opportunities for mathematics in the biological sciences. We also welcome biologists who wish to learn how to employ specific mathematical and computational approaches in their research.​
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The NITMB Visiting Scholars program supports both short-term and long-term visitors.
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Short-term visitors can participate in the program for up to 9 days.
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Longer-term visitors can participate in the program from 10 days to up to 6 months. Anyone staying 10 days or longer is required to have an official Visiting Scholar appointment at either Northwestern University or The University of Chicago which requires the individual 1) to hold a PhD, or be enrolled in a PhD program as a candidate, 2) must have a living stipend or employment income that is more than $2,470/month USD or $29,640/year USD, 3) if international a valid US visa is required.
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Any questions about how to develop a Visiting Scholars Program proposal should be directed to Paula Trautvetter paula.trautvetter@northwestern.edu .
Eligibility​
Faculty, research faculty, technical staff, postdoctoral scholars, and enrolled Ph.D. candidates from research institutions or national laboratories in the U.S. and abroad are eligible to apply. Individuals must hold an active appointment and be paid by their institution. Ongoing research activity in either biology or mathematics/theory is a criterion. Applicants from teaching-intensive colleges, minority-serving institutions, and non-PhD granting institutions are encouraged to apply.​
Travel, Lodging, and Amenities
Through the Visiting Scholars Program, the NITMB covers housing expenses and/or a living stipend at the gsa.gov rates and reimburses travel expenses for those who reside more than 50 miles away.​ We work with a travel agency that can book flights and arrange lodging at extended stay hotels and other long-term temporary housing options.
There is a spectrum of collaboration spaces - shared offices, phone rooms, lounge seating, worktables, bench seating, meeting rooms, kitchen, and a full 150-person auditorium. Amenities include an espresso maker, wellness and prayer room, gym, game room, and blackboards. NITMB provides designated office space for Visiting Scholars. ​
NITMB will also help Visiting Scholars with young children navigate daycare and schooling options. Daycare: Both Northwestern University and The University of Chicago offer reduced tuition benefits to specific daycares. Schools: Students in grades K-12 have a guaranteed seat at the Chicago Public School general education program in their neighborhood school. No GoCPS application is required.​​​​
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Expectations: visiting scholars should:
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Participate in NITMB activities while in residence
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Engage in cross-disciplinary research, engaging both math and biology or both theory and experiments
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Acknowledge NITMB support in relevant publications:
Author Affiliation:
NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology,
Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
​Application
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. To submit your application, use this form and upload your pdfs. The formatting of all documents should be in 11-point font, single-spaced, with minimum 0.5-inch margins. ​Note: The review process typically requires three to four weeks. For an official visiting scholar appointment, the processing time may take up to six months for international or non-resident visitors and up to two months for domestic visitors. Please consider this timing when submitting your application.
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Materials required for submission:
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Curriculum Vitae (5-page limit)
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Statement of Purpose (instructions below and on the application form)
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(For postdoctoral scholars and PhD candidates only) Letter of Institutional Support from a principal investigator, department chair, or direct supervisor.
Additional materials will be required post acceptance for long-term stays as part of the application process for an official Visiting Scholar Appointment.
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Statement of Purpose: Please provide a justification for a visiting scholar appointment by answering the following questions. Limit of 2 pages. Embedded figures are acceptable.
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What are your research interests at the interface of mathematics and biology?
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What length(s) of time would you like to stay?
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What is it you would like to achieve while at the NITMB?
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What expertise and knowledge do you provide to enrich the NITMB?
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Are you requesting financial assistance for housing? If so, please describe your housing needs.
We seek a broad pool of applicants who wish to join a thriving academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a variety of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. For additional information, please see the Universities' Statements.
Northwestern University's Statement on Community and Belonging
University of Chicago's Statement on Diversity
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Northwestern University and the University of Chicago are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employers and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the Universities’ Notices of Nondiscrimination.
Northwestern University's Notice of Nondiscrimination
University of Chicago's Notice of Nondiscrimination