About
Supporting Research & Innovation in the U.S.
What is the STEM Research Initiative and ResearcherUSA.com?
The STEM Research Initiative is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program. Allowing global experts to stay in the U.S. for up to five years, this program helps facilitate meaningful collaboration between U.S.-based companies, institutions and foreign nationals involved in research and development to leverage exchange of ideas and fuel innovation worldwide.
Whether information is sought by employers, lawyers, international STEM experts, recent graduates of STEM degree programs, state, local or federal government actors, multilateral organizations, universities, or others – the ResearcherUSA.com site provides a “one-stop shop” on the STEM Research Initiative, including resources directly from the U.S. Department of State’s own FAQs.
Sponsoring Organizations
The researcherusa.com site was developed by a group of nonprofit exchange visitor program sponsors looking to better ensure access to fulsome information about how the STEM Research Initiative can be utilized by U.S. companies of every size, geography, and sector.
Goals for the STEM Research Initiative:
Foster stronger global collaboration
Increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries
Improve competitiveness
Support an increase in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, professionals, and exchange visitors on educational and cultural exchange programs in the United States
Bring fresh ideas, perspectives, and approaches to:
- U.S.-based companies and their employees
- U.S. institutions and their scholars, researchers, and faculty
- Innovation hubs and incubators
- The nation’s innovation ecosystem
Why STEM Research Initiative?
In 2022, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced the STEM Research Initiative. Working in collaboration with designated program sponsors, the initiative was designed to support U.S. companies and institutions interested in hosting J-1 visa exchange visitors in STEM fields to add a global perspective to STEM R&D being conducted by private businesses across America.
The STEM Research Initiative was initially devised by the State Department in collaboration with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy based on the recognition that when people come to the United States to study, to take part in science and technology endeavors, and to build ties between cultures and countries, this benefits America and Americans.
The STEM Research Initiative was designed to create opportunities for companies to broaden networks and tap into the global marketplace of talent, and to allow U.S. businesses of any size to work with people who bring a different lens, different background, and different perspective. Leveraging the existing J-1 Research Scholar program and existing regulations governing that program, the initiative was developed as a way to expand eligibility and remove barriers to participation, so more U.S. organizations could benefit.
One of America’s greatest competitive advantages is its ability to attract innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world. By making key policy changes and establishing the STEM Research initiative, the United States has successfully carved out new avenues for businesses and institutions to connect with talented global researchers and other highly skilled individuals in STEM fields.
Participate in the STEM Research Initiative
If you’re a U.S.-based company, institution, or a foreign researcher interested in participating in the J-1 STEM Research Initiative, find out how you can get started by selecting one of the participation categories below.
If you are a STEM participant, sign up at STEMTalentConnect.com to start your journey.
FAQs from State Department
Want to read other user-specific FAQs?
What is a designated sponsor?
Sponsors are designated by the U.S. Department of State to conduct exchange visitor programs. There are approximately 1,450 private sector, academic, and federal, state, and local government entities currently designated as sponsors who conduct 15 categories of exchange programs. This includes the seven categories which are eligible to participate in the STEM Initiative: College and University Student (Student Intern and Academic Training), Intern, Trainee, Specialist, Short term Scholar, Professor or Research Scholar. Only Department-designated sponsors are authorized to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019), which is the document that permits a J-1 exchange visitor visa application. The Form DS-2019 identifies the exchange visitor, their sponsor, and provides a brief description of their exchange program, including the program start and end dates and exchange program category. On the BridgeUSA website, you can see a list of sponsors that have expressed interest in collaborating with STEM host organizations in the STEM Initiative, as well as a full list of Department-designated sponsors.
What is a host organization in the STEM Initiative?
Host organizations provide research, training, teaching or internship opportunities in the United States on behalf of a designated sponsor pursuant to an executed written agreement with the sponsor. Host organizations are where exchange visitors conducting training or research in a STEM-related field or industry are placed. Visit the BridgeUSA website, for additional information on host organizations.
What is the process for initiating the STEM Research Initiative and what are next steps? How will I be notified?
Prospective host organizations should reach out to BridgeUSA Sponsors (ECA’s implementing partners for exchanges) to determine the best fit. After interested parties connect, sponsors and host sites will follow their own internal procedures to determine whether a placement meets category-specific regulatory requirements and the goals and objectives of the Exchange Visitor Program.For host organizations that pursue a partnership with a Department-designated sponsor, that sponsor will be your primary resource and implementing partner for the duration of the exchange.
What type of oversight is recommended for J-1 exchange visitors in the STEM Research Initiative categories?
As explained in the DOS guidance for Responsible Officers of designated programs, the program sponsor must ensure that STEM Initiative exchange visitors have a positive experience, paying close attention to their health and welfare while on program and providing appropriate orientations, oversight, and cross-cultural experiences. Regular check-ins (often but not exclusively by email) and a site visit (whether in person or by video) are essential to support program integrity.
Where can I find a list of the designated program sponsors that have expressed a specific interest in the STEM Research Initiative?
On the BridgeUSA website, you can explore sponsors that expressed interest in connecting with prospective host organizations. Additionally, see all sponsors designated by the State Department for the Research Scholar category.
