Center for Teaching, Learning, and Development

Visiting Scholars and Artists Program

About the program

Established in 1960, the Visiting Scholars and Artists Program (VSAP) contributes to the intellectual and cultural life of Western Michigan University by providing funding to departments and academic units to bring distinguished scholars and artists to campus.

VSAP visitors may engage with faculty, students and the broader community through lectures, seminars, workshops, performances, exhibitions, forums and other activities. Priority is given to visits that involve multiple departments or academic units and that provide opportunities for broad participation across the university community.

Since its inception, the program has supported more than 600 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 67 academic disciplines.

Application Procedure

Grant awards are announced during the academic year preceding the visit. Awards for scholars and artists who will visit between September and April will be announced in June and November. Grants generally do not exceed $1,500. Larger grants are only awarded to those applications that attract students and faculty members from more than one unit. Departments that have not recently been awarded a grant are encouraged to apply. 

The deadline for Visiting Scholars and Artist Program nominations is April 1 and September 30. If the deadline is during the weekend, please submit that Monday by 5 p.m.

Please review the application requirements carefully before submitting your application.

Applications must be submitted electronically by the applicable deadline.

For questions about the VSAP application process, please contact Tonya Dean, Office of Faculty Development.

Complete the Visiting Scholars and Artist Program 2026-27 Application

Application Materials

Please carefully review all instructions.

The VSAP application is now submitted electronically through the online application form.

Before beginning the application, applicants should have the following information and materials available:

  • Sponsoring department(s) or academic unit(s)
  • VSAP host coordinator information
  • Proposed scholar or artist's information
  • Expected date(s) of visit
  • Amount of VSAP funding requested
  • Confirmation of department chair/director approval
  • Cover letter describing the visitor's distinguished record and the anticipated impact of the proposed activities on the WMU campus
  • A brief biographical and academic sketch of no more than 125 words
  • Proposed schedule of activities, including tentative dates, times, locations and anticipated audiences
  • Itemized budget and justification
  • Information about additional funding sources
  • Confirmation that the proposed scholar or artist has agreed to visit WMU
  • Curriculum vitae for the proposed scholar or artist
Biographical and academic sketch

The 125-word biographical and academic sketch will be used in the printed Visiting Scholars and Artists Program brochure and should introduce the scholar or artist to the WMU campus and broader community.

The sketch should:

  • Be written in the third person
  • Use clear, engaging language accessible to a general audience
  • Highlight the visitor's academic background and area(s) of expertise
  • Describe the nature of the proposed visit
  • Include information about planned lectures, workshops, performances or other events, including dates and locations when available

If VSAP funding is approved, an updated Word document version of the sketch must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the award. The updated version may be used for the VSAP brochure and other promotional materials.

IMPORTANT:

Please submit your complete application electronically. The deadline for Visiting Scholars and Artist Program nominations is April 1 and September 30 by 5 p.m. If the deadline is during the weekend, please submit that Monday by 5 p.m.

 

Committee Members