Program Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility and Categories

There are five Global Scholar Program categories available. The Global Scholar’s relationship with their home institution will determine the eligible program category and program length.

Category 1: International Student Research Training Program Student (ISRTP)

Global Scholars under the ISRTP category may participate in the Global Scholars Program between six to 12 weeks while still pursuing their bachelor's degree program at their home institution.

Category 2: Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR) 

Global Scholars who will be coming to City of Hope® as part of their active graduate degree program may qualify under the VGR category.

VGR — Master’s Degree

Global Scholars under the VGR — master’s degree category may participate in the Global Scholars Program for up to two years during active program enrollment at their home institution but not to exceed the anticipated completion of degree program, whichever is shorter.

VGR — Doctoral Degree

Global Scholars under the VGR — Doctoral Degree category may participate in the Global Scholars Program for up to four years during active program enrollment at their home institution but may not to exceed the anticipated completion of degree program, whichever is shorter.

Category 3: Visiting Scholar (VS) 

Global Scholars who are current employees at City of Hope's partnered institutions and will be coming to City of Hope as representatives of the home institution are considered Visiting Scholars.

Global Scholars under the VS category may participate in the Global Scholars Program for up to three years but may not to exceed active employment status at their home institution, whichever is shorter.

Category 4: International Visiting Faculty (IVF)

This is an exclusive category for faculty who are invited to join the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences (City of Hope’s graduate school) to teach, train and collaborate on research with the school. Global Scholars under the IVF category may participate in the Global Scholars Program for up to three years but may not to exceed active employment status at their home institution, whichever is shorter.

Category 5: BRIdGE Fellow

Global Scholars under the VGR category may participate in the Global Scholars Program for up to 18 months.
 

Required Application Documents

Please note: Foreign language documents must include English translations.

Download our document checklist

The list includes:

  • Global Scholars Program application form
    Fill out the required fields, including name (printed), signature and date.
  • Individual memorandum of agreement
    Complete and sign with an ink signature.
  • Intellectual property agreement (IP)
    The Global Scholar must sign as the applicant. A representative authorized on behalf of the home institution must sign as the non-City of Hope employer. 

    Bridge applicants don't need the non-City of Hope employer signature on their IP.
  • Most updated CV or resume
  • Proof of financial support. View program costs.
  • Home institution’s recommendation letter from the academic advisor on official letterhead, including:
    • Signatory’s name, signature, title and relationship to the Global Scholar
    • Home institution’s recommendation for the Global Scholar to participate in City of Hope’s program as part of completing their academic degree
    • Confirmation of the dates of participation (needs to match the Global Scholars Program application) and intent to return to the home institution

      Recommendation letter not required for VS, IVF or Bridge applicants.
  • Home institution’s employment verification letter from the job supervisor on official letterhead, including:
    • Signatory’s name, signature, title and relationship to the Global Scholar.
    • Confirmation of current employment status and the home institution’s recommendation for the Global Scholar to participate in City of Hope’s program, dates of participation (needs to match the Global Scholars Program application) and intent to return to the home institution. 

      Verification letter not required for ISRTP, VGR or Bridge applicants.
  • Home institution’s registrar letter on official letterhead. This document confirms active enrollment in its academic program and anticipated completion date. The Global Scholar must maintain active enrollment status at the home institution during the program’s dates of participation. A leave of absence from the home institution at any time disqualifies them from the Global Scholars Program. 

    Registrar letter not required for VS, IVF or Bridge applicants.
  • Signed personal statement outlining intent to use research experience gained during Global Scholars Program to pursue higher education upon completion

    Personal statement not required for ISRTP, VGR, VS or IVF applicants.
  • Evidence of English proficiency
    For J-1 and F-1 (ISRTP) applicants from non-English-speaking countries, they must meet this requirement with one of the following English language test scores:
    • TOEFL score of at least 80 (ITB)
    • TOEIC score of at least 605
    • IELTS score of at least 6.5

      Or they can fulfill this requirement through:
    • A diploma or a transcript showing that they have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in an English-speaking country, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or Canada
    • Evidence of residence in an English-speaking country
    • For J-1 applicants only: A 15-minute English proficiency video conference interview with the host department
  • Memorandum of understanding (MOU)
    Only applicable if the home institution doesn’t have a valid MOU with City of Hope. 

    MOU not required for Bridge applicants under any circumstances.

Overview of the Application Process

  • Global scholars program sponsorship
    A City of Hope faculty member must agree to provide program sponsorship to the prospective Global Scholar.
  • Application and invitation letter
    After our team notifies the prospective Global Scholar, they should complete the application form and submit required documents. We'll also send information about City of Hope’s partnership agreement to the prospective Global Scholar if a new agreement is required to support the application. If a visa sponsorship is needed, we'll ask the prospective Global Scholar to complete a visa questionnaire and upload additional required documents for either a DS-2019 (J-1 visa) or an I-20 (F-1 visa) processing. The application review process, including DS-2019 or I-20 issuance, takes approximately two to three weeks from receipt of all required information and documentation. Once the application review process is complete, City of Hope will send the Global Scholar a formal invitation letter along with the DS-2019 or I-20.
  • Visa processing abroad
    Global Scholar proceeds with a U.S. visa process. Visa processing times can vary between countries.
  • Arrival preparation and City of Hope onboarding clearances
    Before arrival in the U.S., City of Hope’s NES team sends communication about onboarding and health clearances to the Global Scholar. We strongly recommended that Global Scholar completes this process before arrival as some of the required health documents may be difficult to obtain remotely.

    Global Scholars will not be allowed to begin the program until they complete this process and are cleared by City of Hope.

    Samples of health documents required:
    • Two MMR vaccines (measles, mumps and rubella) or titers demonstrating immunity
    • Two Varivax vaccines (chickenpox) or documentation of immunity titer
    • Three hepatitis B vaccinations or a positive titer (mandatory for individuals exposed to human blood, body fluids or cell lines)
    • A current tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) vaccination within the last 10 years or a declination
    • Tdap vaccine attestation or declination
    • A current flu vaccine
    • COVID-19 vaccine series and booster

      For more information on the required health documents, please contact ehsclearance@coh.org.
  • Visa validation and fee payment
    Upon arrival in the United States, our team sends the Global Scholar a credit card payment request for program and visa sponsorship fees. They must be paid in full prior to the program start date. For more information on program and visa sponsorship fees, please see our program costs.
  • Additionally, our team will message the Global Scholar about the J-1 or F-1 visa validation process that must be done prior to program start date. 
  • The Global Scholar must submit applications no fewer than three months before the expected program start date. To ensure a smooth process (application, visa, arrival and onboarding), we recommend advanced planning (four to six months).