International Students: Nih Grant Eligibility And Opportunities

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. federal government's primary agency for supporting biomedical and behavioural research. It offers grants to organisations and individuals, with most of its money funding research in the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, other parts of the world. While the NIH does provide grants to foreign and international organisations, there are additional steps and requirements for eligibility and registration.

Foreign students can receive NIH grants without US citizenship

The NIH supports scientists at various stages in their careers, from pre-doctoral students on research training grants to investigators with extensive experience who run large research centres. While most NIH funding goes to US-based research organisations, foreign and international organisations are eligible to apply for most NIH research project grants. However, they are not eligible for institutional training, program project, centre, resource, small business, or construction grants.

Foreign postdoctoral fellows, for instance, may work on NIH-funded research grants, but they may not work on a National Research Service Award fellowship or training grant. According to the NIH Grants Policy Statement, PIs and other personnel supported by NIH research grants are generally not required to be US citizens, although some programs do have citizenship requirements. It is important to carefully read the eligibility requirements of the specific funding opportunity.

When applying from an international or foreign institution, both electronic and paper applications have a checkbox for foreign institutions and domestic institutions with foreign components. There are also special budget requirements for foreign institutions. Foreign institutions must register for electronic application and obtain a NATO Commercial and Government Entity code. Applications from foreign institutions must include talent, resources, populations, or other resources not found in the United States. They must also be relevant to the NIH's mission and objectives and have the potential to significantly advance the health sciences in the United States.

Additional steps for foreign institutions to register for electronic application

The NIH welcomes applications from foreign institutions and international organizations, treating them as if they were applications from domestic organizations. However, there are some additional steps that foreign institutions must take to register for electronic applications. Here are some detailed steps to help guide you through the process:

• NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code: Foreign applicants need to obtain an NCAGE code before registering with the System for Award Management (SAM). This is a crucial first step, as the NCAGE code is necessary for the electronic application process.
• Application Forms: The application form package and instructions are the same for both foreign and domestic applicants. However, foreign applicants must use the forms linked to the specific funding opportunity announcement. One of the submission options (NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or a system-to-system solution) indicated in the funding opportunity should be used to access, prepare, and submit the application forms.
• Budget Requirements: Foreign applicants must submit detailed (non-modular) budgets using the R&R Budget form. All requests for funds must be stated in U.S. dollars. Foreign organizations may request funds for limited Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, which are typically 8% of modified total direct costs less equipment.
• Special Considerations: Foreign institutions must demonstrate how their projects present special opportunities for furthering research programs. This can be done through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions in other countries that are not readily available in the U.S. or that augment existing U.S. resources.
• Review Process: Applications from foreign institutions are assessed using standard review criteria, but they also undergo additional review and funding consideration. The relevance of the proposed project to the mission and objectives of the NIH Institute or Center, as well as its potential impact on advancing health sciences in the U.S., are carefully evaluated.
• Electronic Application Tools: NIH provides electronic tools to assist applicants, such as the NIH eRA Commons, which allows applicants to securely manage and process grant-related information. Additionally, the NIH Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST) is a useful platform for preparing and submitting grant applications electronically.
• Country-Specific Information: When planning research with international involvement, it is essential to consult country-specific clinical research regulatory information. ClinRegs is an online database that can help with this, providing valuable insights for planning and implementing international clinical research.
• Contact Information: For any queries regarding international applications and awards, foreign institutions can contact the Office of Research Training and Special Programs. Email communications may require additional time for translation if they are not in English, and phone inquiries should be made in English.

Foreign grants management

Foreign and international organizations are eligible to apply for most NIH research project grants but are not eligible to apply for institutional training, program project, center, resource, small business, or construction grants. The NIH Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is a term of award and provides valuable information about the pre- and post-award requirements for NIH grants and cooperative agreements.

When applying from an international/foreign institution, both electronic and paper applications have a checkbox for foreign institutions and domestic institutions with a foreign component. In addition, there are special budget requirements for applications from foreign institutions. For more information, visit the NIH About Grants information page for international applicants and grantees. Foreign postdoctoral fellows may work on NIH-funded research grants, but they may not work on a National Research Service Award fellowship or training grant. According to the NIH Grants Policy Statement, PIs and other personnel supported by NIH research grants are usually not required to be U.S. citizens, though some programs have citizenship requirements. Check the program announcement or request for applications to be sure.

The application budget, requests for funds, and financial reports must be stated in U.S. dollars. Awards to foreign and international organizations are paid through the Payment Management Services (PMS). PMS is a centralized grants payment and cash management system. It is operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Program Support Center (PSC). When a foreign component participates in a consortium arrangement, the funding and payment information should be reflected in a formal written agreement.

If the applicant organization is foreign or if the project includes a foreign component, then check "yes" and add an attachment titled "Foreign Justification" in the Other Attachments field. Item 6a, Identify countries: Enter the countries; 55-character limit; abbreviations are acceptable. Item 6, Select Agent Research: Provide the names of the countries where select agent research will be performed. Scientific/research contact(s) (usually a program officer) who can answer questions about the scientific and/or technical aspects of the announcement. Financial/grants management contact(s) who can answer questions about the administrative and budget aspects of the announcement. Peer review contact(s) who can answer questions about the peer review aspects of the announcement. Applicants are encouraged to email these individuals to discuss their applications.

For business and policy issues, contact your grants management specialist, found in your eRA Commons account or on your summary statement. If you have not been assigned a specialist, go to NIAID's Grants Management Program Contacts to locate one.

Foreign eligibility requirements

Foreign and international organizations are eligible to apply for most NIH research project grants. However, they are not eligible for institutional training, program project, center, resource, small business, or construction grants.

The NIH's mission is to expand scientific knowledge to improve public health. Most of its money funds grants and contracts to research organizations in the US and, to a smaller extent, other parts of the world. The NIH is made up of dozens of institutes and centers, each with a defined research focus.

Foreign applicants need a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code before registering with the System for Award Management (SAM). The application form package and instructions are the same as those required for domestic applicants. However, foreign applicants must submit detailed (non-modular) budgets using the R&R Budget form. Funds must be requested in US dollars.

Foreign institutions and foreign components of US organizations are not eligible to apply for SBIR/STTR awards. Only for-profit organizations with majority ownership by US citizens or permanent resident aliens can apply for small business awards. Per statute, the research or R&D project activity for an SBIR or STTR award must be performed in its entirety in the United States.

Projects submitted by foreign institutions receive additional review and funding consideration. When an application is submitted to the NIH, the Authorized Organization Representative assures the NIH that the organization will follow the applicable public policy requirements and the terms and conditions documented in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

International students can work on NIH-funded research grants

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. federal government's primary agency for supporting biomedical and behavioural research. Its mission is to expand scientific knowledge to improve public health. Most of the NIH's funding goes towards grants and contracts for research organisations in the U.S., with a smaller proportion going to other parts of the world. The NIH is made up of dozens of institutes and centres, each with a defined research focus.

The NIH supports scientists at various stages in their careers, from pre-doctoral students on research training grants to experienced investigators running large research centres. Generally, grantees and other personnel supported by NIH research grants are not required to be U.S. citizens, although some programmes do have citizenship requirements.

Foreign and international organisations are eligible to apply for most NIH research project grants but are not eligible for institutional training, program project, centre, resource, small business, or construction grants. The NIH encourages email communication when possible, and applicants are encouraged to email peer review contacts to discuss their applications.

When applying from an international or foreign institution, both electronic and paper applications have a checkbox for foreign institutions and domestic institutions with a foreign component. There are also special budget requirements for applications from foreign institutions. Foreign postdoctoral fellows may work on NIH-funded research grants, but they may not work on a National Research Service Award fellowship or training grant.

Frequently asked questions