International faculty research and innovation exchanges support the University of Windsor’s commitment to globally engaged research, scholarship, and innovation. These exchanges create opportunities for faculty members and librarians to establish and strengthen international collaborations, develop joint research initiatives, access unique research environments and infrastructure, expand student training opportunities, and enhance global research impact.
What is an international faculty research and innovation exchange?
International research and innovation exchanges are short-term, time-limited placements, typically ranging from 1 week to 1 year. Exchanges are typically supported through externally funded researcher-led programs, institutional agreements, or international partnership initiatives. During an exchange, a researcher will build new or further develop existing research partnerships by engaging in collaborative research, such as joint on-site lab, studio, or field work, and/or innovation, including technological development. While research collaboration is the primary focus, exchanges may also include relationship-building and knowledge mobilization activities such as workshops, symposia, guest lectures, and partnership development meetings. Exchanges are typically undertaken during sabbaticals, summer, or other periods when a researcher does not have teaching or administrative obligations. They do not typically support teaching or administrative activities and should not be used for conference travel, to disseminate the outcomes of an unrelated research project or program, or for academic visits with no substantive element of research or innovation collaboration.
Why participate in an international exchange?
International exchanges can support faculty members in:
- Establishing or strengthening international research collaborations
- Developing competitive international grant applications
- Accessing specialized research infrastructure, archives, laboratories, or field sites
- Expanding international student and trainee opportunities
- Increasing research visibility and global impact
- Building long-term institutional partnerships
- Supporting knowledge mobilization and interdisciplinary collaboration
Who can participate?
Exchanges are open to faculty members and librarians who meet the following criteria during the period of exchange:
- Hold a full-time, permanent academic appointment
- Will be on an approved sabbatical and/or period free of teaching and administrative obligations prearranged with their Department and Faculty
- Will engage in substantive, collaborative research and innovation activities
Visiting scholars may be hosted if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold a faculty or research appointment at an accredited international academic or research, institution
- Have secured funding to support the exchange
- Have received an invitation from the University of Windsor supported by a faculty member or librarian who will serve as host throughout the duration of their visit.
- Will engage in substantive, collaborative research, scholarship, creative activity, and innovation activities with their UWindsor faculty host
- Are not from an institution or entity appearing on the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern Named Research Organization list
Role of the UWindsor - Research and Innovation Team
For inbound/outbound exchanges, the UWindsor Research and Innovation team will:
- Provide an invitation or support letter on behalf of the University
- Offer guidance on funding application processes for UWindsor faculty members and librarians embarking on an exchange
- Support institution-specific immigration processes for scholars visiting UWindsor
- Offer opportunities for internal international partnership development funding for UWindsor faculty members and librarians embarking on an exchange aimed at expanding global partnerships
-
Facilitate University-wide coordination and connections across Faculties, Departments, and Research Institutes to support exchange development and institutional navigation
Role of the UWindsor host
For inbound exchanges, a UWindsor faculty member or librarian must serve as the host and primary point of contact for the visiting scholar. The host faculty member is responsible for:
- Notifying the Research Coordinator – Global Engagement of the prospective visit as early as possible to initiate institutional coordination
- Coordinating with ORIS to confirm the details of the research collaboration and dates of exchange and secure a letter of invitation provided to the visiting scholar
- Coordinating workspace, lab access, library privileges, and other institutional resources as needed
- Ensuring the visiting scholar is aware of applicable institutional policies, health and safety requirements, and research security and data management obligations
- Supporting the visiting scholar’s orientation and integration into the research community during the exchange period
- Maximizing the impact and outcomes of the exchange
Funding opportunities
A variety of external funding opportunities are available to support outbound and inbound international exchanges, including programs focused on collaborative research development, partnership building, trainee mobility, and international networking.
Visit our Opportunities page for current programs and deadlines.
If you are interested in visiting a specific institution or hosting a visiting scholar but are unsure of what funding opportunity best suits your exchange, please contact the Research Coordinator – Global Engagement, for more information. The Office of Research and Innovation Services (ORIS) also distributes calls for funding opportunities to all faculty by email, via its Plugged into Research monthly newsletter, and on this website as they arise.
Exchange process - Before, During, and After
Each exchange follows three phases: planning and preparations that take place before, the exchange itself, and follow-up activities that take place after the exchange. The steps below outline what is required at each stage for both outbound and inbound exchanges. Faculty members planning to apply for exchange funding opportunities should also refer to the ORIS Internal Deadlines Policy and ensure sufficient time for institutional review and approvals prior to the sponsor deadline.
Outbound – Applying for an international exchange
Once you have identified a funding opportunity, you should:
- Notify the Research Coordinator – Global Engagement
- Submit an ORIS External Funding Checklist through the ERSO Researcher Portal for review and approval by your Faculty and ORIS. Your submission should include:
- Application documents
- Confirmation of sabbatical and/or freedom from teaching and administrative obligations
- Confirmation of any matching funding arrangements
- Confirmation of international institution’s agreement to host
- Confirmation that the host institution does not appear on the Named Research Organization list
- For questions about research security requirements, contact the Research Security Coordinator
International collaborations may require institutional review for research security considerations, including compliance with Government of Canada guidance related to sensitive research areas and Named Research Organizations. ORIS will support faculty members in navigating applicable requirements during the exchange planning process.
Outbound - Preparing for your international exchange
Once you have received confirmation from the funding agency that your application has been successful, you should:
- Notify your Department Head/Dean that your application has been successful and remind them of the dates of your travel
- Notify the Research Coordinator – Global Engagement, providing them with the following documents:
- Notice of award
- Any applicable updates to your exchange plan and details
- Confirmation of Government of Canada Registration of Canadians Abroad
- Confirmation of current Travel Risk Assessment status for your destination
- Copy of Green Shield Canada Letter of Travel Coverage (see Out of Province/Country Coverage for more information)
Once ORIS has been notified and has received the required documentation, the Research Coordinator – Global Engagement will:
- Issue a congratulatory email acknowledging the success of your application and corresponding details
- Set up a grant account for your external funding
Inbound - Registering an incoming visiting scholar
The UWindsor host faculty member or librarian should:
- Submit an ORIS External Funding Checklist through the ERSO Researcher Portal for review and approval by your Faculty and ORIS. Your submission should include:
- Visiting scholar’s notice of award or funding confirmation
- Visiting scholar’s curriculum vitae or research profile
- Proposed exchange dates and collaborative 1-3 page research plan
- Confirmation that the visiting scholar’s home institution does not appear on the Named Research Organization list
- Confirmation of applicable visa or immigration documentation (if required/available)
Once ORIS has been notified and documentation has been received, the Research Coordinator – Global Engagement will:
- Issue a formal acknowledgement and welcome communication to the visiting scholar
- Coordinate with the host faculty member or librarian and the Research Recruitment and Operations Assistant to issue a formal appointment and complete institutional immigration processes (if required)
- Coordinate with relevant University units (e.g., HR, campus security, IT) to arrange access and privileges
- Provide the visiting scholar with information on campus resources, health and safety protocols, and other institutional guidelines
- Facilitate UWinID and systems access as appropriate
Inbound - During the visit
The host faculty member or librarian should ensure that the visiting scholar:
- Has access to the workspace, equipment, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed collaborative research
- Is connected with relevant research groups, labs, and centres
- Is aware of and compliant with all applicable institutional policies, including animal care, research ethics, research safety, intellectual property, research security, and research data management
- Is supported in any knowledge mobilization activities such as guest lectures or workshops
After the exchange
Outbound - After the exchange
Following your return from your international faculty research and innovation exchange, you should:
- Notify your Department Head, Dean, and ORIS of your return
- Complete and submit any final reports and/or deliverables required by the external funding agency
- Complete and submit a brief Post-Exchange Survey to ORIS within 3 months of the exchange completion
Inbound - After the exchange
The host faculty member or librarian should:
- Complete and submit a brief Post-Exchange Survey to ORIS within 3 months of the exchange completion, including details on outcomes and future collaboration plans to support ongoing partnership development
- Ensure return of any institutional resources, access cards, or equipment
Visiting scholars may require a work permit, visitor visa, or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. Requirements vary by country of citizenship and the nature and duration of the exchange. The host faculty member should advise the visiting scholar to consult the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Additional institution-specific information will be provided by the ORIS Research Recruitment and Operations Assistant at the time of appointment to support visiting scholar IRCC application processes.
Questions and additional information
For more information on international exchange, whether you are planning an outbound exchange or hosting a visiting scholar — please contact globalresearch@uwindsor.ca.