J-1 Visa Policy Jobs
Policy positions in the United States span government agencies, think tanks, advocacy organizations, and intergovernmental bodies. Most exchange visitors pursue these roles under the Research Scholar, Specialist, or Government Visitor J-1 visa program category, each requiring a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and provide sponsorship throughout your placement.
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Get Access To All JobsThe Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) at Indiana University Bloomington invites applications for two Mellon Foundation–funded Postdoctoral Fellowships linked to the newly established Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center. Position Focus: Public Policy and the Humanities, with emphasis on Criminology, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Justice, or Economics from a Black Studies perspective.
Appointment and Responsibilities
Each BHIM fellow will:
- Teach two courses per academic year in AAADS;
- Contribute actively to one of BHIM’s three interdisciplinary labs: the Research Development Lab, Applied Humanities Lab, or Humanities in Community Lab; and
- Participate in departmental workshops, symposia, and community-engaged events.
Fellows are expected to be in residence during the fellowship period, apart from research-related travel.
Indiana University is fully committed to transferring each postdoctoral fellow to the rank of assistant professor within the university and will provide the necessary mentoring, resources, and structures for a successful transition. Postdoctoral fellows must maintain IU’s academic standards for a tenure track position, and the offer of a tenure-track position.
About the BHIM Africana Studies Research Center
The Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center is supported by the Mellon Foundation and fosters humanities oriented scholarship, artistic expression, and civic engagement rooted in the experiences and legacies of Black and Africana Diasporic communities in Indiana and across the Midwest. BHIM merges critical humanities scholarship with Applied Africana Studies, producing research and public projects that interpret and shape the cultural and civic landscape of the region. Its three interdisciplinary Labs serve as hubs for faculty led research, course development, public programming, and community partnerships.
About the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS)
Established in 1970, AAADS at Indiana University Bloomington celebrates our 55 year anniversary as one of the oldest Black Studies departments in the nation. AAADS is a national leader in Black Studies, offering a B.A., 4 dual BAs (with English, History, Religious Studies, and Sociology), an M.A., 3 dual MAs (with Library and Information Science, Public and Environmental Affairs, and the nation’s only MA/MFA in Creative Writing and African American Studies), and the Ph.D. degree—one of only 19 Ph.D. programs in African American Studies nationwide and the only one in Indiana.
AAADS houses signature programs including its performing arts ensembles, the African American Dance Company, IU Soul Revue, and the African American Choral Ensemble. We house the Atkins Living Learning Center, a residential community for incoming freshmen promoting academic excellence through African American history and culture. AAADS also co-founded two landmark archives, the Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC) and the Black Film Center/Archive (BFC/A), and leads the innovative Blackness and Jewishness Project, a first-of-its-kind partnership with IU’s Borns Jewish Studies Program.
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a leading Big Ten public research university committed to excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service.
Basic Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD at time of appointment. We seek scholars in Black Studies who can contribute to BHIM’s research labs and work towards the completion of their book manuscript or other scholarly projects. Current doctoral candidates are welcome to apply but must defend their dissertation and confer their degree prior to the start date. Please note the anticipated or confirmed completion date in the cover letter.
Department Contact for Questions
For more information, please contact Dr. Jakobi Williams at jakowill@iu.edu or Jen Faulk at Jefaulk@iu.edu
Additional Qualifications
Salary and Rank
10-month academic salary of $60,000 plus full university benefits
Special Instructions
Applicants should submit:
- Cover Letter (detailing research, teaching interests, and fit with BHIM and AAADS)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Writing Sample (no more than 30 pages)
- Three Letters of Reference
Applications must be submitted via https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/32048 by March 31, 2026. Additional materials, such as letters of recommendation or sample syllabi, may be requested at a later stage of review.
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. For details, please see the Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination https://www.iu.edu/nondiscrimination/index.html
For Best Consideration Date
03/31/2026
Expected Start Date
08/01/2026
Posting Number
IU-101479-2026
The Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) at Indiana University Bloomington invites applications for two Mellon Foundation–funded Postdoctoral Fellowships linked to the newly established Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center. Position Focus: Public Policy and the Humanities, with emphasis on Criminology, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Justice, or Economics from a Black Studies perspective.
Appointment and Responsibilities
Each BHIM fellow will:
- Teach two courses per academic year in AAADS;
- Contribute actively to one of BHIM’s three interdisciplinary labs: the Research Development Lab, Applied Humanities Lab, or Humanities in Community Lab; and
- Participate in departmental workshops, symposia, and community-engaged events.
Fellows are expected to be in residence during the fellowship period, apart from research-related travel.
Indiana University is fully committed to transferring each postdoctoral fellow to the rank of assistant professor within the university and will provide the necessary mentoring, resources, and structures for a successful transition. Postdoctoral fellows must maintain IU’s academic standards for a tenure track position, and the offer of a tenure-track position.
About the BHIM Africana Studies Research Center
The Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center is supported by the Mellon Foundation and fosters humanities oriented scholarship, artistic expression, and civic engagement rooted in the experiences and legacies of Black and Africana Diasporic communities in Indiana and across the Midwest. BHIM merges critical humanities scholarship with Applied Africana Studies, producing research and public projects that interpret and shape the cultural and civic landscape of the region. Its three interdisciplinary Labs serve as hubs for faculty led research, course development, public programming, and community partnerships.
About the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS)
Established in 1970, AAADS at Indiana University Bloomington celebrates our 55 year anniversary as one of the oldest Black Studies departments in the nation. AAADS is a national leader in Black Studies, offering a B.A., 4 dual BAs (with English, History, Religious Studies, and Sociology), an M.A., 3 dual MAs (with Library and Information Science, Public and Environmental Affairs, and the nation’s only MA/MFA in Creative Writing and African American Studies), and the Ph.D. degree—one of only 19 Ph.D. programs in African American Studies nationwide and the only one in Indiana.
AAADS houses signature programs including its performing arts ensembles, the African American Dance Company, IU Soul Revue, and the African American Choral Ensemble. We house the Atkins Living Learning Center, a residential community for incoming freshmen promoting academic excellence through African American history and culture. AAADS also co-founded two landmark archives, the Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC) and the Black Film Center/Archive (BFC/A), and leads the innovative Blackness and Jewishness Project, a first-of-its-kind partnership with IU’s Borns Jewish Studies Program.
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a leading Big Ten public research university committed to excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service.
Basic Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD at time of appointment. We seek scholars in Black Studies who can contribute to BHIM’s research labs and work towards the completion of their book manuscript or other scholarly projects. Current doctoral candidates are welcome to apply but must defend their dissertation and confer their degree prior to the start date. Please note the anticipated or confirmed completion date in the cover letter.
Department Contact for Questions
For more information, please contact Dr. Jakobi Williams at jakowill@iu.edu or Jen Faulk at Jefaulk@iu.edu
Additional Qualifications
Salary and Rank
10-month academic salary of $60,000 plus full university benefits
Special Instructions
Applicants should submit:
- Cover Letter (detailing research, teaching interests, and fit with BHIM and AAADS)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Writing Sample (no more than 30 pages)
- Three Letters of Reference
Applications must be submitted via https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/32048 by March 31, 2026. Additional materials, such as letters of recommendation or sample syllabi, may be requested at a later stage of review.
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. For details, please see the Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination https://www.iu.edu/nondiscrimination/index.html
For Best Consideration Date
03/31/2026
Expected Start Date
08/01/2026
Posting Number
IU-101479-2026
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Policy
Frame your credentials for policy audiences
Policy roles attracting J-1 sponsorship typically require demonstrated subject-matter expertise, not just academic credentials. Build a portfolio of policy memos, legislative analyses, or published briefings before applying, so host organizations can assess your substantive contribution.
Match your program category to your career stage
The J-1 category you qualify for shapes which host organizations will consider you. Current graduate students typically qualify as Interns, early-career professionals as Trainees, and mid-career policy experts with advanced degrees as Specialists or Research Scholars. Applying under the wrong category delays placement.
Search Migrate Mate for J-1-aligned policy employers
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. policy organizations that have hosted international exchange visitors. Filtering by role and sector surfaces host employers already familiar with the DS-2019 process, reducing the education burden you'd carry with a first-time host.
Audit the two-year home residency requirement early
Government Visitor and some Specialist J-1 participants are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, which bars H-1B visa or green card applications until fulfilled or waived. Determine your status before accepting a placement so your longer-term U.S. work plans stay intact.
Prepare a detailed training plan before the offer stage
Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE require a signed Training or Program Plan (DS-7002 for Trainees) before issuing your DS-2019. Draft this document collaboratively with your prospective host organization so approval isn't delayed after you've received an offer.
Confirm the host organization understands its compliance role
Policy host organizations are responsible for supervising your exchange activities, maintaining contact with your designated sponsor, and reporting any material changes to your program. Raise this during offer negotiations so both sides understand the administrative obligations before you begin.
Policy J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a policy professional?
It depends on your career stage and the nature of the engagement. Graduate students in policy programs typically qualify as Interns. Early-career professionals with a degree and relevant work experience usually fall under the Trainee category. Mid-career experts placed with research institutions or think tanks commonly use Research Scholar or Specialist. Government officials on diplomatic exchanges may qualify under the Government Visitor category.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a policy role?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the policy employer hosting you. Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or IIE issue your DS-2019 form, oversee compliance with J-1 regulations, and serve as the official point of contact with the State Department. The host organization where you work is legally the host, not the sponsor.
How do I find policy employers willing to host a J-1 exchange visitor?
Migrate Mate lets you search for U.S. policy roles and organizations that have experience hosting international exchange visitors. Many policy employers, particularly think tanks, advocacy groups, and government contractors, have worked with J-1 participants before and understand the DS-2019 and training plan requirements. Starting your search with employers already familiar with the process saves significant time.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to policy J-1 participants?
It can, and it's one of the most consequential details to clarify before accepting a placement. The requirement commonly applies to participants funded by their home government, nationals of countries identified on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, and those in the Government Visitor category. If it applies to you, you must return home for two years or obtain a waiver before changing to H-1B or permanent resident status.
Can a J-1 policy placement lead to full-time U.S. employment?
A J-1 placement is not a direct path to employment authorization, but it can build the professional relationships and U.S. work history that support a future H-1B or O-1 visa petition. Some policy host organizations do convert exchange visitors into full-time hires once the J-1 period ends, provided the individual obtains a different work visa. The two-year home residency requirement, if applicable, must be resolved before that transition is possible.