Distinguished Scholar Visit Grant
The Kellogg Distinguished Scholar Grant provides funding for short-term academic visits to Notre Dame by high-profile scholars with a strong record of scholarly contributions, whose presence will meaningfully enrich the intellectual life of the Kellogg Institute.
The Kellogg Distinguished Scholar Grant provides funding for short-term academic visits to Notre Dame by high-profile scholars with a strong record of scholarly contributions, whose presence will meaningfully enrich the intellectual life of the Kellogg Institute. During their visit, Distinguished Scholars may deliver a public lecture, keynote address, or seminar; participate in faculty research workshops or roundtables; or engage in informal or structured discussions with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, affiliated with the Institute.
Faculty Fellows are expected to serve as the lead organizers of the visit – including initiating contact with the proposed visitor and confirming their availability; developing the full visit agenda, scheduling meetings, research sessions, and events as appropriate; and serving as the primary liaison before, during, and after the visit.
The Kellogg Institute provides limited administrative support for a public-facing event such as lecture or keynote address, including assistance with date, venue reservations, catering coordination, event promotion, and publicity through Kellogg’s internal communication channels. Occasionally and when staff workload permits, Kellogg can assist with flight and accommodation bookings.
Submission deadlines for Academic Year 2025-26:
- Tuesday, September 2, 2025
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025
- Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Tuesday, March 31, 2026
The complete application must include:
- A brief abstract (150 words) summarizing the purpose of the visit and its anticipated contributions to the Kellogg community
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A nomination statement that clearly addresses:
- The scholarly background and distinction of the proposed visitor
- The relevance of the scholar’s work to Kellogg’s research themes
- The purpose and goals of the visit, including public-facing and internal activities
- The intellectual and programmatic value of the visit to faculty, students, and the broader academic community
- The anticipated outcomes of the visit (e.g., recorded lecture, future collaboration, network-building)
- A draft agenda outlining the proposed visit schedule, including the public lecture, seminars, classroom visits, or meetings. Typical visits will last between 3 days and a week.
- A draft public event title and 2–3 sentence abstract (for use in event promotion)
- An abbreviated CV (2–3 pages) for the invited scholar
- A short bio (150–200 words) for the invited scholar for promotional use
- A list of other funding sources, if any, the applicant is seeking or has secured
- A detailed line-item budget (using Kellogg’s budget template) including airfare, lodging, per diem, and honorarium (if applicable)
- A brief narrative budget justification, explaining how the proposed funds support the visit’s goals and the rationale for the honorarium, if requested
Funding
The award amount is up to $6,500 per visit. Kellogg will fund up to one award per semester Institute-wide.
It may be used to cover the following expenses:
- Round-trip economy-class airfare
- Lodging
- Per diem for meals and incidentals
- Honorarium, in line with the Keough School guidelines
The honorarium amount must be pre-approved. Faculty hosts should consult with Saadat Musabaeva, Research Program Manager (smusabae@nd.edu), early in the planning process to confirm eligibility and funding parameters. In addition, hosts should coordinate with Therese Hanlon, Senior Events Program Manager (therese.hanlon@nd.edu), as early as possible to discuss event dates, scheduling, and logistical planning.
Criteria
An interdisciplinary committee of Kellogg Faculty Fellows reviews proposals for the Kellogg Distinguished Scholar Grant. Accordingly, applicants should ensure that the importance of the proposed visit and the scholar’s contributions are clearly articulated to reviewers across academic disciplines.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Alignment with Kellogg’s core research themes
- Scholarly distinction of the invited scholar, as demonstrated by academic record, reputation in the field, and potential to contribute meaningfully to the Kellogg community
- Significance of the scholar’s work within their discipline and its relevance to global democracy and human development
- Clarity and feasibility of the proposed visit agenda
- Engagement with the Kellogg community, including students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty across disciplines
- Potential for lasting impact, such as strengthening faculty networks, sparking future collaborations, or elevating Kellogg’s visibility through recorded or published lectures
- Budgetary appropriateness, including whether the requested funds are well-justified and commensurate with the visit’s scope and objectives
- Overall quality and professionalism of the proposal, including clarity, completeness, and attention to detail
Eligibility
This opportunity is open only to Kellogg Faculty Fellows. Proposals must focus on scholarly engagement that aligns with the Institute’s core research themes. Faculty hosts must nominate a distinguished scholar whose work complements Kellogg’s research priorities and are responsible for planning and coordinating the visit. Invited scholars should have a strong academic record, work in fields related to the Institute (global democracy and human development), and be able to make a visible and meaningful contribution to the Kellogg community through public events and engagement with students and faculty.