Eligible categories for participation include Professors and Research Scholars, Short-term Scholars, Trainees and Interns, College and University Students, and Specialists.

Any organization or business (including non-profits, for-profits, foundations, or laboratories) can potentially serve as a host organization for STEM research or training. A business does not need an independent research division to qualify as a host organization. Further, an exchange visitor can be placed at a host organization that offers placements in STEM, but whose core business isn’t STEM-focused.STEM exchange visitors hosted by a business must be engaged in an activity that is linked to the subject/field code (CIP code) that is listed in section four on the exchange visitor’s Form DS-2019.There are two key criteria to determine whether a STEM business (host organization) can serve as a viable host placement: 1) ability to provide authentic training or research activities that align with the exchange visitor’s program objectives as listed on their Form DS-2019 and 2) ability to provide program activities consistent with the exchange visitor’s field of study or research, which is listed as a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program.

Providing off-campus opportunities will increase a university’s connection with STEM businesses in your community. Current trends in international education continue to show that exchange visitors are increasingly seeking professional development and hands-on experience in their chosen fields of research and study. STEM students and scholars are especially keen about practical research and training experience in their chosen fields.Providing skills-based training and research opportunities for your academic exchange visitors at STEM businesses increases your stature and competitiveness. This will help connect academic institutions and alumni with the business community. It establishes colleges and universities as a resource that brings innovative ideas and diverse perspectives to STEM businesses through the Exchange Visitor Program.Companies seeking to gain a competitive edge in our global economy with the perspectives and skillsets of exchange visitors, particularly in the STEM fields, will become a formal part of your institution’s network.This can assist in your marketing and recruitment outreach to future exchange visitors and attract more STEM-based exchanges to your institutions and communities. Establishing this pipeline can be a major draw and incentive to then attract future exchange visitors seeking these research and training opportunities in the United States.

The initiative will not affect the home-residency requirement for exchange visitors. Some exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement following their exchange program. Please visit https://travel.state.gov for additional information.