A professor is defined in government regulations as:

22 CFR § 62.4(e) An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institution. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsor.

A research scholar is defined in government regulations as:

22 CFR § 62.4(f) An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. The research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor.

A short-term scholar is defined in government regulations as:

22 CFR § 62.4(b) A professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar type of institutions.

If you will be participating in a program which furthers the objectives of the Exchange Visitor Program, and you have activities that are compatible with those objectives, you can be sponsored in the J-1 professor, research scholar, or short-term scholar category. Monterey Institute has been designated by the Department of State (DOS) to host professors and researchers.

To participate in the J program as a professor, research scholar, or short-term scholar, you are expected to have appropriate academic credentials or similar credentials. J-1 professors or research scholars cannot hold tenure or be placed in positions "on a tenure track" but can occupy such positions temporarily even if the positions are normally tenured or tenure-track (e.g., as a visiting professor in a position held by a tenured professor who is on sabbatical).

Reporting upon arrival at the Institute

New scholars and researchers are required to check-in with OIS within 7 days of arrival to allow the responsible officer to validate their program in SEVIS. They should bring the following documents for the scholar and each of their dependents: Passport, visa, I-94, DS-2019, and proof of insurance.

Employment

Enrollment in classes

Travel and re-entry

Limitations and extensions of stay

Dependents

212(e) Two-year home country physical presence requirement

Waiver of 212(e)

Insurance

Social Security Number (SSN)

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