About New York University School of Law
New York University School of Law, United States, has invited applications for its Visiting Doctoral Researcher Programme for the 2027–2028 academic year.
The programme allows doctoral researchers enrolled at universities outside the United States to spend one academic year conducting legal research at NYU School of Law in New York.
Selected candidates will participate in the university’s academic environment, interact with doctoral researchers and take part in research workshops and other scholarly activities.
The opportunity is open to eligible international applicants, including Indian PhD scholars pursuing legal research.
According to the university’s official announcement, approximately four to five researchers are expected to be invited for the upcoming academic year.
The last date for submitting applications is 15 February 2027.
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Explore Our Services →About the Visiting Doctoral Researcher Programme
The Visiting Doctoral Researcher Programme is associated with NYU School of Law’s Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) programme.
It allows doctoral candidates from other universities to undertake part of their research while visiting NYU.
The programme is intended for researchers who have already begun their doctoral studies and want to strengthen their work through access to academic resources, research discussions and interaction with other legal scholars.
Visiting researchers are integrated into the JSD academic community wherever relevant.
They may attend seminars, participate in academic events and discuss their research with scholars working in different areas of law.
The main purpose of the programme is to support original legal research that can contribute to academic publication.
Unlike NYU’s regular JSD programme, the visiting researcher arrangement does not constitute admission to a new doctoral degree.
Participants remain doctoral candidates at their existing universities.
Number of Positions
The university’s official announcement for 2027–2028 states that approximately four to five Visiting Doctoral Researchers are ordinarily invited each academic year.
The number is indicative rather than a fixed commitment to select exactly five candidates.
Admission is competitive.
Applicants are assessed according to their academic achievements, research proposals and potential to contribute to the university’s research community.
The programme is intended for a small group of researchers who can benefit substantially from spending an academic year at NYU.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral degree programme at another university or research institution.
The programme is open to foreign nationals studying either inside or outside the United States.
United States citizens and dual nationals may also qualify if they are studying outside the United States.
Doctoral candidates must be at least in the second year of their doctoral studies at the time of their proposed visit.
Students entering the first year of their PhD programme are not eligible under the published programme requirements.
Applicants must also be able to spend the academic year in residence at NYU School of Law.
A candidate who is unable to leave their present institution for the required period may not be suitable for the programme.
Can Indian PhD Scholars Apply?
Yes. Indian doctoral researchers are eligible to apply if they satisfy the programme’s requirements.
For example, a PhD scholar registered at a National Law University or another recognised Indian university may apply after completing the required stage of doctoral study.
The programme may be relevant to researchers working on constitutional law, comparative law, international law, legal theory, criminal justice, technology regulation and related legal subjects.
However, applicants should demonstrate why their proposed research would benefit from a period at NYU.
Merely being registered for a PhD does not guarantee eligibility or selection.
Candidates must possess a strong academic record and a well-developed research project.
Indian applicants should also confirm that their home university permits them to spend an academic year conducting research abroad.
Research Areas
NYU School of Law supports academic research across several branches of law.
Its research community includes scholars working in international law, constitutional law, legal theory, environmental law, intellectual property, competition law, corporate law, taxation, arbitration and other disciplines.
Visiting Doctoral Researchers may pursue projects connected with these subjects where suitable academic resources and research opportunities are available.
The university has not advertised a single compulsory research topic for the 2027–2028 Visiting Doctoral Researcher intake.
Applicants are therefore expected to develop their own research projects.
A proposal should explain the research question, the approach being followed and the contribution the applicant hopes to make to legal scholarship.
Candidates should also explain how the proposed visit will support their ongoing doctoral work.
Duration of the Programme
Selected researchers will spend one academic year at NYU School of Law.
Participants are expected to remain in full-time residence during their appointments.
NYU’s published programme guidance states that research visits may extend into the summer, but summer-only visits are not accepted.
The university also requires Visiting Doctoral Researchers to participate in the academic activities associated with its JSD programme.
These activities include research presentations, seminars and discussions with fellow doctoral researchers.
The official announcement identifies the programme with the 2027–2028 academic year but does not specify individual arrival and departure dates for every participant.
Selected candidates should obtain confirmation of their precise residency dates from the university.
Funding and Financial Support
An important aspect of this programme is its funding arrangement.
NYU’s 2027–2028 announcement does not specify a stipend or guarantee financial support to Visiting Doctoral Researchers.
The opportunity should therefore not be described as a fully funded fellowship.
The university provides academic benefits, including access to research facilities and participation in scholarly activities.
However, the announcement does not promise an allowance for accommodation, travel, meals or other living expenses.
Candidates may need to arrange financial support independently.
Applicants should also clarify whether any external research grant or scholarship they hold is compatible with NYU’s restrictions on concurrent appointments and engagements.
Before applying, international researchers should assess the financial requirements of living in New York for an academic year.
The US$70,000 stipend advertised for certain NYU postdoctoral fellowships is associated with a different programme and should not be attributed to Visiting Doctoral Researchers.
Visa and Financial Requirements
International researchers selected for the programme will need to comply with the immigration requirements applicable to their visit.
NYU’s published programme information states that its JSD programme will sponsor the relevant visa for eligible Visiting Doctoral Researchers.
The same guidance specifies that applicants may be required to demonstrate access to funds or assets amounting to US$2,000 per month for the period of residence.
Additional financial evidence may be required for accompanying family members.
The published figures are part of NYU’s existing programme guidance and should be reconfirmed for the 2027–2028 intake.
Candidates should not treat the specified financial evidence as a scholarship or payment from NYU.
It represents a funding requirement that applicants may need to satisfy.
Health Insurance Requirements
Visiting Doctoral Researchers must maintain adequate health insurance during their stay in the United States.
The requirement also applies to accompanying family members.
NYU’s programme information states that participants may be able to enrol in the university’s health insurance programme.
Researchers who do not use NYU’s arrangement must obtain appropriate insurance independently.
Coverage must be in place from the beginning of the visit.
Applicants should consider the cost of insurance when planning their research stay.
Academic Benefits
Visiting Doctoral Researchers receive access to several academic facilities at NYU School of Law.
Participants may attend Law School events, including activities organised specifically for the JSD programme.
They are integrated into the academic community wherever possible.
The programme also provides access to the NYU School of Law Library and research databases, including Westlaw and Lexis.
Participants receive a university email account.
Workspace may be provided depending on availability.
However, NYU has expressly stated that dedicated workspace is not guaranteed.
These facilities allow visitors to pursue their research while participating in the academic life of the university.
Participation in Research Workshops
Selected researchers are expected to participate actively in the JSD programme’s academic activities.
One important feature is the JSD Forum, where doctoral researchers present their work and receive comments from other scholars.
Visiting researchers are expected to prepare and present their research during the programme.
The university also organises academic seminars and orientation activities.
These sessions provide opportunities to discuss research methods, theoretical questions and developments in different legal disciplines.
Participants are expected to contribute to these discussions rather than work entirely independently.
The programme is therefore intended for scholars who are prepared to engage with an active research community.
Research and Publication Expectations
NYU states that the central purpose of the Visiting Doctoral Researcher Programme is to facilitate original, publishable legal scholarship.
Applicants should therefore have a research project that can be substantially advanced during the academic year.
The university expects participants to undertake serious independent research.
Researchers should also be prepared to present their work and respond to comments.
The programme may help candidates develop dissertation chapters, academic articles or other research outputs.
However, the official announcement does not guarantee that a publication will result from the appointment.
The quality and progress of the research remain the responsibility of the participating scholar.
Documents Required
NYU’s most recently published detailed application instructions identify several documents for Visiting Doctoral Researcher applicants.
These include a completed online application form and a detailed curriculum vitae.
Applicants are also required to prepare a personal statement explaining their intellectual and professional aspirations.
The published instructions prescribe a limit of 500 words for the personal statement.
Two recommendation letters are required.
These should come from academics or legal professionals who can comment on the applicant’s research abilities.
Candidates must also submit a research proposal with a one-page abstract.
Evidence of English-language proficiency and a recent academic publication or writing sample in English are included in the published application requirements.
Applicants should check the instructions displayed in the 2027–2028 application portal because NYU’s detailed public checklist still carries the previous academic year’s heading.
Research Proposal Requirements
The most recently published application instructions prescribe a research proposal of 1,500 to 2,500 words.
A one-page abstract must accompany the proposal.
The research proposal should identify the central questions the applicant intends to investigate.
It should explain the proposed research methodology and describe the expected results.
Candidates should also discuss the project’s potential contribution to legal scholarship.
The proposal is an important part of the selection process.
Applicants should explain how the research fits into their existing doctoral studies and why a period at NYU would be academically valuable.
The programme does not require applicants to abandon their existing doctoral research topics.
Instead, the visiting period is intended to help them develop that work further.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must possess sufficient English-language proficiency to participate in academic discussions and produce scholarly work in English.
NYU’s published instructions permit certain applicants to demonstrate proficiency through previous education or academic publications.
For example, applicants who received degrees from English-speaking institutions with examinations conducted in English may satisfy the language requirement without additional evidence.
Candidates who have published academic work in English may also be able to establish written proficiency through that work.
However, additional evidence of oral English proficiency may still be required.
Other applicants may need to submit TOEFL results.
The published Visiting Doctoral Researcher instructions do not specify a universal minimum TOEFL score.
Indian applicants should contact the programme if they are uncertain whether their existing qualifications satisfy the requirement.
Recent Publication or Writing Sample
The most recently published instructions require applicants to submit a recent publication in English.
The document must not exceed 20 pages.
NYU states that the work must have been originally written and published in English rather than translated from another language.
A chapter from the applicant’s doctoral dissertation may also be submitted in place of a published article.
This requirement gives the selection committee an opportunity to assess the candidate’s legal writing and research skills.
Applicants should select a sample that demonstrates their ability to analyse a legal problem and develop a clear academic argument.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed on the basis of the candidate’s academic qualifications and research potential.
NYU looks for applicants with strong academic records and a demonstrated commitment to developing their scholarly projects.
The selection process also considers whether the applicant is likely to benefit from spending an academic year in the university’s research environment.
Recommendation letters, research proposals and writing samples form part of this assessment.
The programme has only a limited number of visiting researcher positions.
NYU’s previous application guidance indicated that decisions could be expected around the end of April.
However, the university has not separately confirmed a decision date for the 2027–2028 intake in its current announcement.
How to Apply?
Interested and eligible candidates must apply through NYU School of Law’s official online application system.
Applicants should first review the Visiting Doctoral Researcher Programme information on the university’s website.
They must then access the Graduate Online Application Portal and register for an account.
Candidates who previously registered with NYU’s application system may use their existing login credentials.
The application requires academic and professional information along with the prescribed supporting documents.
Applicants should prepare their CV, personal statement, research proposal, abstract and writing sample before completing the form.
They must also arrange two recommendation letters.
NYU’s published guidance permits recommendation letters to be submitted through the prescribed process.
Candidates should carefully follow the instructions applicable to the 2027–2028 intake.
Official 2027–2028 Announcement: https://docket.law.nyu.edu/global/announcing-global-fellowships-for-the-2027-2028-academic-year/58119/
Official Programme Information: https://www.law.nyu.edu/llmjsd/jsdprogram/visitingdoctoralresearchers
Eligibility and Residency Conditions: https://www.law.nyu.edu/llmjsd/jsdprogram/visitingdoctoralresearchers/programinformation
Published Application Instructions: https://www.law.nyu.edu/llmjsd/jsdprogram/visitingdoctoralresearchers/applicationinstructions_hide
Official Application Portal: https://gradapp.law.nyu.edu/user/login
Email for Programme Queries: jsdcoordinator@nyu.edu
Application Deadline
The last date for applications to NYU School of Law’s Visiting Doctoral Researcher Programme for the 2027–2028 academic year is 15 February 2027.
The university has instructed applicants to ensure that all application materials arrive by the relevant deadline.
The programme will allow selected researchers to spend one academic year in residence at NYU School of Law.
Eligible Indian PhD scholars enrolled at recognised universities may apply, provided they meet the doctoral-stage, residency and research requirements.
NYU has not guaranteed a stipend for this programme. Applicants should independently confirm their funding arrangements and financial requirements before committing to the research
