International Students & Scholars

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	$6,250

*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
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% of personal funds for 12 months (enrolled in an academic program abroad)	Bank statement (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 date). UMD salary may be used to supplement
Post-Baccalaureate or Post-Master’s	Faculty Assistant	May be funded by: UMD Third-party sources (grants, fellowships) No personal funds permitted	UMD or third-party sources: grants or fellowship in the form of an award letter certifying the award recipient, funding amount, and start and end date.
Post-doctoral Researchers	Post-doctoral Associate	May be funded by: UMD Third-party sources (grants or fellowships) No personal funds permitted	Third-party sources: grants or fellowship in the form of an award letter certifying the award recipient, funding amount, and start date.
Visiting faculty from foreign institutions	Visiting Scientist series Visiting Professor series	May be funded by: UMD Home institution salary Third-party sources (grants or fellowships) Self-funded, albeit 50% of funding must be third-party Visiting Professors must be paid for all teaching duties	Salary while on sabbatical/leave from a foreign institution: letter confirming they will continue to receive salary for the duration of UMD program - Must meet at least 50% of the minimum J-1 requirement - Letter will include J-1's title, salary amount and start and end date - UMD salary must 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 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.