The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) welcomes applications for the 2026 Visiting Researcher Program. This is an opportunity for library professionals from the OCUL membership to dedicate part of their research leave to a project that aligns with the consortium’s strategic priorities and/or academic library services or librarianship.
Through the Visiting Researcher Program, OCUL offers in-kind support, including staff expertise and technology resources, to help facilitate project success. This program is designed as an arrangement between OCUL and the researcher’s home institution.
Eligibility and Application Process
Applicants must be a library professional on sabbatical at an OCUL member institution and have the full support of their library director. Strong communication skills in both French and English are considered an asset.
To apply, please submit the following:
- A current curriculum vitae
- An introductory letter outlining your proposed research project and its relevance to OCUL's current strategic priorities and/or benefits to academic library services or librarianship
- A brief letter of support from your library director
Application packages can be emailed to OCUL Executive Director, Amy Greenberg: amy.greenberg@ocul.on.ca.
The deadline for applications is November 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The successful applicant(s) must start their research project in the 2026 calendar year.
Past Researchers
The program has supported projects that examine a broad range of research areas including multilingual support for controlled vocabularies, shared collection management, and neurodivergence in academic librarianship. Past visiting researchers are Heather McMullen, Joël Rivard and Dan Scott (2025), as well as Joanne Rumig and Geoff Sinclair (2024).
Read more about past researchers’ projects and the Visiting Researcher Program.