VIU Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity

Visiting Student Researcher

Vancouver Island University welcomes Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs) to participate in research under the supervision of a VIU faculty member on a full-time basis. A VSR can be a student enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s or doctoral program at a university in Canada or abroad. As a VSR, you will participate in a research project that aligns with your studies. 

Types of research opportunities

Some participants come with a clear research question to address, and they come to VIU to have access to our resources like libraries and labs. These researchers will have a home supervisor, when applicable, who is responsible for ensuring that the research project meets the requirements of their home institution and reviews the progress of the research project. VIU host supervisors provide guidance and support throughout the participant’s time at VIU.

Participants that would like to have a research experience who do not have a specific research project in mind can join the research of a VIU faculty member. These researchers will either join a research lab or complete research tasks as set by the VIU host supervisor. VIU host supervisors are required to develop a research plan for the participant and provide mentorship as the VSR is directly supporting the supervisor’s research.

Eligibility criteria

  • intend to come to VIU with the purpose of conducting research on a full-time basis
  • when applicable, work on a research project that is part of their curriculum or academically relevant to their program
  • have obtained approval from a VIU host supervisor (usually a full time VIU faculty member) for the research activities to be conducted at VIU, and
  • have obtained approval from their Home Institution/Organization, when applicable, for the research activities to be conducted at VIU

  • must not involve salaries paid to the participant (scholarships to domestic students may be allowed but should be discussed in advance)
  • completion of research activities at VIU will result in credit credits from VIU (VRSR 500 (1) or VUSR 400 (1))

  • minimum 1 month,
  • maximum 12 months

VSRs and their VIU host supervisor should contact Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity in advance to discuss intended research projects, length of stay and any scholarship payment plans.

  • It is the responsibility of the VSR to identify, contact and obtain approval from a VIU faculty member to supervise their research activities.
  • VSR’s can contact VIU faculty/researchers directly to discuss the possibility of becoming a research supervisor.

Notice regarding Visiting Student Researchers

Effective January 2026, Vancouver Island University has implemented a moratorium on university-administered student mobility programs, including visiting international research student placements that do not directly pertain to enrolment. This moratorium is expected to remain in effect through the 2026-27 academic year.

For questions regarding visiting student research opportunities, please contact OfficeofVPStudents@viu.ca.

  1. Contact a VIU faculty member to discuss your research interests.
  2. Student and Supervisor(s) complete the VRS Approval Form and VRS Letter of Agreement and work with your home and host supervisor to collect all required signatures. The VIU host supervisor can send partially signed forms to srca@viu.ca to collect the AVP Research and Graduate Studies signature.
  3. Once forms are signed, the student applies for Admission to VIU as a Domestic (Canadian) VSR.
    • Application, tuition, and student fees will apply - see Tuition fee schedule or contact SRCA@viu.ca for more information.
    • Applications can be submitted through EducationPlannerBC.
      • Program Name: Under "Program," visiting graduate research students enter VGRS (Visiting Grad Research Student) or VURS (Visiting Undergrad Research Student).
  4. A completed application must include a fully signed VSR Approval Form and Letter of Agreement. Fully signed documents and registration questions can be directed to Connect@viu.ca
    • Your application will be processed once the complete admission package and all required documents are received. Please submit a complete admission package at least two months in advance of your planned start date to allow for processing times and in consideration that your research project may require ethics approval.
    • Upon acceptance, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance from VIU. 
  5. As soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from VIU as a VSR, notify SRCA to provide proof of acceptance and discuss your research project, any ethics approvals, scholarship payment plans, and arrival time. Students must provide the Letter of Acceptance and/or other proof of registration showing the registration term before SRCA can pay out scholarships. 
  6. You will be enrolled in either VUSR 400 (1 credit) or VRSR 500 (1 credit).
  7. All VSR’s are required to have their own health and medical insurance. Guard.Me is a mandatory insurance plan for international VSRs and out-of-province VSR’s that do not have BC Health-Care (MSP) coverage. Guard.Me covers standard medical visits and part of other medical and hospital expenses during your stay in BC, Canada.
  8. As a VSR, you will be eligible to apply to access certain supports and services available to VIU students. Please visit our Student Services for more information.