J-1 Funding Guide
In order for the ISSS to issue a DS-2019, scholars must demonstrate financial support for the full period of the requested academic appointment.
To ensure compliance with FLSA and Faculty Affairs policy, host departments should use the Faculty Affairs Salary Guidelines to determine salary for postdoctoral and research positions. Paid researchers and faculty should be awarded a salary that meets department and University equity standards and is commensurate with the scholar’s related experience.
Funding Requirements |
Per Month |
Per Year |
|---|---|---|
Scholar only |
$4,090 |
$49,073 |
Scholar plus first dependent (spouse or child) |
$4,611 |
$55,332 |
Scholar plus two dependents |
$5,132 |
$61,584 |
For each additional dependent beyond two, add |
$521 |
$6,252 |
*Estimates are based on the Faculty Salary Guidelines. Funding requirements are subject to change at any time.
J-1 Program Funding Requirements & Options
All documentation:
- On letterhead
- Signed and dated within three months of the submission date
- If in a foreign language, provide original and a certified English translation
- List total funding amount for the full duration of the requested program, including start and end dates
- All teaching duties must be paid
Position Abroad |
UMD Titles |
Funding Options |
Funding Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
International Graduate Student |
Faculty Assistant or Trainee |
May be funded by: UMD Self-funded Third-party sources (scholarships/fellowships) May use 100% personal funds for 12 months (enrolled in an academic program abroad). |
Recent bank statements or letters (bonds and investments are not acceptable). If supported by family, include a signed letter of support. Foreign institution funding: grant, scholarship, or fellowship in the form of an award letter certifying the award recipient, funding amount, and validity period (start and end dates). UMD salary may be used to supplement |
Post-Baccalaureate Or Post-Master’s |
Faculty Assistant |
May be funded by: UMD Third-party sources (grants, scholarships, fellowships) No personal funds permitted |
UMD Salary Third-party sources: grants or fellowship in the form of an award letter certifying the award recipient, funding amount, and start and end dates. |
Post-doctoral Researchers |
Post-doctoral Associate |
May be funded by: UMD Third-party sources (grants, scholarships, fellowships) No personal funds permitted |
UMD Salary Third-party sources: grants, scholarship or fellowship in the form of an award letter certifying the award recipient, funding amount, and start and end dates. |
Visiting faculty from foreign institutions |
Visiting Scientist series |
May be funded by: UMD Home institution salary Third-party sources (grants, fellowships) Self-funded, albeit 50% of funding must be third-party Visiting Professors must be paid for all teaching duties |
Sabbatical/leave salary from a foreign institution with letter confirming they will continue to receive salary for the entire duration of UMD program Must meet at least 50% of the minimum J-1 requirement Letter should include title, salary amount, and sabbatical start and end date UMD salary may be used to supplement Third-party sources: grant or fellowship in the form of a letter certifying the award recipient, funding amount, and start and end date |
Lecturer |
Lecturer |
May be funded by: UMD Third-party sources specifically designated for teaching. |
Foreign government letter certifying the recipient, funding amount, and start and end date. The letter must specify funding is for teaching language and culture courses. |
Restricted Funding
The University of Maryland does not directly or indirectly accept funding from foreign government scholarships that bind recipients to contract terms that conflict with the University of Maryland’s Mission, Policies, or create other safety or security risks for our students and personnel.
Examples of problematic terms include:
- Requirements to report academic and research activities to the sponsor’s embassy regularly.
- Requirements to pledge allegiance to the foreign government and ensure all activities are undertaken with the intention to benefit the sponsoring country.
- Requirements to return to the sponsoring country at the completion of research and debrief the government on activities undertaken during the scholarship period.
- Agreements to be bound by the laws and customs of the sponsoring country, which conflict with obligations to the University, and subject to the oversight of the embassy while abroad.
- Requirements to designate a guarantor in the sponsoring country to put up a bond to ensure compliance with the contract.
Restricted funding sources include but are not limited to Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs and China Scholarship Council scholarships and contracts.