Lana Oconnell
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers funding for basic, clinical, and applied research and training for U.S. and foreign investigators working in the developing world. While some opportunities are targeted towards U.S. citizens and permanent residents, there are also opportunities for international students and scholars. For example, the Fogarty International Training Grants and the Collaborative Consortia for the Study of HIV-Associated Cancers are open to international applicants. Additionally, foreign postdoctoral fellows may work on NIH-funded research grants, although certain awards and fellowships require U.S. affiliation or citizenship. Overall, the NIH provides a range of opportunities for both U.S. and international students and scholars to pursue research and training in various fields.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students' eligibility for NIH grants | No U.S. affiliation or citizenship is required to become an NINDS grantee. |
| International students' eligibility for NIH career awards and fellowships | Non-U.S. individuals are eligible for a number of career awards and fellowships, including the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) and the International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05). |
| International students' eligibility for NIH training grants | International students are eligible for training grants if they are enrolled in a U.S. degree program. |
| Visa requirements for international students working on NIH grants | International students must have a visa that covers the life of the grant and allows them to remain in the U.S. for the duration of the project. |
| Citizenship requirements for PIs on NIH grants | PIs are usually not required to be U.S. citizens, but some programs have specific citizenship requirements. |
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What You'll Learn
Non-US citizens can work on NIH-funded research grants
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. federal government's primary agency responsible for funding biomedical and behavioural research. The NIH is made up of dozens of institutes and centres, each with a defined research focus. While most of its funding goes to grants and contracts for research organisations in the U.S., a smaller proportion is allocated to other parts of the world.
Foreign postdoctoral fellows may work on NIH-funded research grants, but they cannot 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 U.S. citizens, although some programmes do have citizenship requirements. Therefore, it is important to check the programme announcement or request for applications to be sure.
For example, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) does not require U.S. affiliation or citizenship to become a NINDS grantee. However, if you are working at a U.S. institution that is receiving the award, you must remain there long enough to finish your project. If you do not have a permanent visa, you must state in your application that your visa will allow you to remain in the U.S. for the duration of the project.
Similarly, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) does not require PIs of small business awards to have U.S. citizenship, but they must legally reside in the U.S. Foreign investigators working on NIH-funded grants must remain at a U.S. institution for the duration of their project.
There are also opportunities for graduate students, such as the Fogarty International Training Grants, which provide funding for basic, clinical, and applied research and training for U.S. and foreign investigators working in the developing world. However, scholarships for graduate students are generally targeted at U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
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Visa requirements for international students
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. federal government's primary agency for supporting biomedical and behavioural research. It is made up of dozens of institutes and centres, each with a defined research focus.
For international students and foreign nationals seeking to work on NIH-funded grants or contracts, there are several visa considerations and requirements to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to note that the USA Patriot Act applies to anyone working on NIH-funded research projects. This Act restricts certain individuals from working with pathogens or toxins that are potential bioterrorism agents. If the Patriot Act applies to you, you should contact your institutional business office for advice.
When applying for grants or contracts with NIH, foreign nationals must ensure that they have the appropriate visas. The institutional business official is responsible for ensuring that investigators and personnel have the correct visas. If you are working at a U.S. institution, you must remain there long enough to finish your project. If you do not have a permanent visa, you must state in your application that your visa will allow you to stay in the U.S. for the duration of the project. Failure to do so may result in the termination of the grant.
Additionally, there are specific requirements for foreign postdoctoral fellows working on NIH-funded research grants. While they may work on these grants, they are not permitted to work on a National Research Service Award fellowship or training grant.
For career awards and fellowships, non-U.S. individuals must usually be a U.S. citizen, a noncitizen national, or a permanent resident with a valid Alien Registration Receipt Card (green card) to be eligible. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) and the International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05), which do not require U.S. affiliation or citizenship.
International organisations applying for grants with NIH should note that they do not need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Instead, they may use 44-4444444 in the Employer Identification field of the application package.
In summary, while NIH does not provide specific visa guidance, it is essential for international students and foreign nationals to ensure they have the appropriate visas and are compliant with the USA Patriot Act when seeking to work on NIH-funded grants or contracts.
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Eligibility for career awards and fellowships
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers a range of career awards and fellowships for which non-US individuals are eligible. However, eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific award or fellowship. Here is a detailed overview of the eligibility criteria for some of the career awards and fellowships offered by NIH:
Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) and International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05):
Non-US citizens can apply for these fellowships, which support research and training in the fields of neuroscience and HIV/AIDS-related research. These fellowships are open to doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars, with a focus on international collaboration and research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
National Research Service Awards (F31, F32, F33):
US citizens and permanent residents, as well as non-US citizens, are eligible for these awards. The awards support predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior fellows in a variety of research areas.
U.S. Institution Career Development Awards (K01, K02, K08, K22, K23, K24, K25):
These awards are open to US citizens and permanent residents at US institutions. They provide funding for basic, clinical, and applied research across various fields, including social and population sciences.
Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Awards (SBIR/STTR):
While not specifically for international students, these awards are open to small businesses with majority ownership by US citizens or permanent residents. Foreign institutions and US organizations with foreign components are not eligible.
It is important to note that, in addition to citizenship or residency requirements, applicants for NIH awards and fellowships must meet other eligibility criteria, such as having an appropriate visa that covers the duration of the project. The specific requirements vary depending on the award, so it is essential to carefully review the program announcement or application guidelines for each opportunity.
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International students' scholarship opportunities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. federal government's primary agency for supporting biomedical and behavioural research. It offers several scholarship opportunities for international students, including:
Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)
The NIH UGSP is a financial needs-based scholarship award for students committed to biomedical, behavioural, and social science research. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrolment as full-time undergraduate students with a grade point average of 3.3 or greater on a 4.0-point scale, or rank within the top five percent of their class. They must also demonstrate exceptional financial need certified by their undergraduate institution's financial aid office. Scholars may receive up to $20,000 of scholarship support each academic year, which can be renewed for up to four years.
Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)
This award is open to non-U.S. citizens and does not require U.S. affiliation or citizenship.
International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05)
This fellowship is also open to non-U.S. citizens and does not require U.S. affiliation or citizenship.
Fogarty International Training Grants
These grants are for doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars working in global health sciences. They provide funding for basic, clinical, and applied research and training for U.S. and foreign investigators working in developing countries.
Collaborative Consortia for the Study of HIV-Associated Cancers
This program offers mentorship, research opportunities, and a collaborative research environment for early-stage investigators from the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank).
It is important to note that while some programs require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, others are open to international applicants who meet specific eligibility requirements. Additionally, foreign postdoctoral fellows may work on NIH-funded research grants, but certain awards are restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
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International students' research opportunities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. federal government's primary agency responsible for supporting biomedical and behavioural research. It is made up of dozens of institutes and centres, each with a defined research focus.
International students can work at the NIH, and there are several research opportunities available for them. Firstly, the NIH provides funding for basic, clinical, and applied research and training for U.S. and foreign investigators working in the developing world. All trainees receive instruction in rigorous research design, research ethics, and statistical analysis in diverse areas relevant to the health priorities of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars in fields like behavioural/cognitive science, genetics, molecular biology, neurobiology, and public health are eligible for these opportunities.
Secondly, international students can apply for grants and scholarships through the NIH. For instance, the Collaborative Consortia for the Study of HIV-Associated Cancers offers research opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa for doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars. Additionally, the Fogarty International Training Grants and the NIH-NIDA International Research Collaboration focus on drug abuse, nicotine and tobacco use, and the neuroscience of marijuana.
It is important to note that while U.S. affiliation or citizenship is not required for some grants, certain programs have specific citizenship requirements. For example, only U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents are eligible for most career development and training awards. Foreign postdoctoral fellows may work on NIH-funded research grants but are ineligible for National Research Service Award fellowships or training grants.
Furthermore, international applicants must ensure they have the appropriate visas. While visa costs are generally allowable as a direct cost, institutions are responsible for enforcing visa requirements. Applicants without permanent visas must state in their applications that their visas will allow them to remain in the U.S. for the duration of their projects.
For specific questions about international applications and awards, the NIH recommends contacting the Office of Research Training and Special Programs via email or phone.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you do not need to be a US citizen to work at NIH. However, some programs do have citizenship requirements, so it is important to check the specific requirements of the program you are interested in.
Yes, if you are an international student working at NIH, you must have a visa that allows you to stay in the US for the duration of your project. Your institution is responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate visa.
Yes, international students must meet the same eligibility requirements as other applicants, such as having a competitive idea that is important to the field of research. Additionally, international students may be required to have a certain level of English proficiency, as all communication with NIH staff must be in English.
