The objective of the SIR Program is to bring scholars and professionals to U.S. colleges and universities that do not often host visiting scholars, and to expand the contact of American students and faculty with people of other cultures. Under this program, U.S. institutions submit proposals to invite lecturers for one or two academic semesters to teach and consult in area studies, or in interdisciplinary programs that focus on cross-cultural, international, or global issues. The U.S. institution can request a certain scholar, or can ask for a professional from a certain country or world area. A special application procedure is administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). 

Application deadline is October 15, 2010.