Visiting scholar status for international researchers

The visiting scholar status at the University of Hamburg is granted under the following conditions:

The guest

is at the University of Hamburg for a limited period of stay,
is engaged in a self-determined academic activity that is linked to a specific objective/purpose for research or teaching,
has no employment relationship with the University of Hamburg, a faculty or other institution of the University of Hamburg,
and is generally engaged in an academic activity at another university, a university or non-university research institution or other academic institution engaged in research and teaching.

The granting of the visiting scholar status allows the guest to use the facilities, equipment, etc. of the University of Hamburg in accordance with the regulations laid down by the University of Hamburg in the contract on the visiting scholar status. The guest is obliged to treat facilities and equipment with care and to use materials conscientiously and sparingly.

Visiting scholar agreement

A corresponding visiting scholar agreement must be concluded for each guest; this regulation applies to all visiting scholars regardless of the duration of the stay at the University of Hamburg, the financing of the guest stay and the origin from Germany or abroad.

The guest contracts are signed by the spokesperson of the respective department in advance of the guest stay.

The sample visiting scholar agreement (pdf) and further information on visiting scholarships at the University of Hamburg can be found in the KUS portal.

Legal information

By granting the visiting scholar status, the guest does not become a member of the University of Hamburg within the meaning of Section 8 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmbHG). The granting of the visiting scholar status does not constitute an employment relationship or a relationship similar to an employment contract. The guest is not obliged to perform any work at the University (exception: services under a contract for work and services, see Financing). There is also no entitlement to be taken on as an employee or civil servant.

Please also note the information on the granting of the visiting scholar status and the funding of visiting researchers in the KUS portal.

The spokesperson of the respective department decides on the granting of guest rights in the Faculty of Humanities. Visiting rights are granted for a limited period of time and can be revoked at any time.