U.S.-Based Companies
Drive Innovation at U.S.-Based Companies
Host Foreign STEM Researchers at U.S. Based Company.
Through the STEM Research Initiative, your U.S.-based company can tap into an international talent pool to accelerate research efforts and drive innovation forward.
Offering diverse, global perspectives and a breadth of specialized expertise, foreign nationals involved in research and development can help your business gain a competitive advantage—strengthening R&D teams, creating solutions for better meeting customer needs, and spurring the development of cutting-edge technologies. With the ability to host international experts for up to five years, this initiative makes it easier for U.S.-based companies of all sizes to access the global resources needed to fuel future growth.
If you are a STEM participant, sign up at STEMTalentConnect.com to start your journey.
Program Overview
From startups to Fortune 500 companies, the STEM Research Initiative offers an easier way for U.S.-based companies and institutions to source talented researchers from around the globe. Non-immigrant researchers can legally remain in the U.S. for up to five years, staying at one organization for the entire duration or transferring their J-1 visa between multiple U.S.-based companies and institutions.
Is My Company or Institution Eligible to Host Foreign STEM Researchers?
As long as your company or institution is U.S.-based companies, has enough resources to host foreign talent, and has at least one physical location in the continental United States, you could be eligible to bring in subject matter experts from anywhere in the world to aid in research and development efforts, new product development, academic studies, trials, and more. Eligible industry sectors include, but are not limited to:
- Engineering (all)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Robotics & Automation
- Computing & Electronics
- Software Development
- Semiconductors
- Renewable Energy and Cleantech
- Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, Astronautical
- Automotive & Autonomous Vehicles
- Quantum Computing
- IT & Cybersecurity
- EdTech, AgTech, & FinTech
- Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
- Social Science
- And more
Who Can Participate in the STEM Research Initiative?
This initiative is designed for non-immigrant foreign researchers and global experts in their respective fields, especially those interested in conducting STEM research, collaborating and exchanging ideas with their American peers, and advancing their professional prospects and network in the United States. While many participants hold master’s degrees or PhDs, foreign nationals with demonstrated expertise and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree are eligible to participate, including:
- Current J-1 Research Scholars
- Foreign nationals – R&D Experts
- F-1 Graduates
- Former Research Interns & Trainees
- Foreign employees/New hires in R&D
- Non-U.S. PhD Fellows
What Roles Are Eligible To Be Hired For?
For the purposes of this initiative, eligibility is determined more by job function than specific job titles. For this reason, U.S.-based companies without official STEM classification can still qualify to participate in the program, as long as researchers’ roles fall into certain categories. Generally, positions in research and development, applied research, applied science, research roles that help generate new products or services, and similar will qualify.
For more detailed information, review our FAQs.
Benefits Overview
Short Processing Times
- Get approvals in 6-8 weeks on average
Relatively Inexpensive
- Program sponsor fees vary company to company
Straightforward Paperwork
- Less paperwork to fill out and file
- Doesn’t require complex involvement of legal departments or outside counsel
Eligibility Based on Exchange of Ideas in STEM Research (no lotteries!)
- Offers a more guaranteed path; not subject to a lottery system
- Initiative backed by the U.S. State Department for fewer USCIS hurdles
Stay in the U.S. up to 5 years
- Researchers can stay in the U.S. for up to 5 years, making a meaningful impact on your institution’s research and driving innovation at U.S. based STEM businesses
More flexibility. Fewer Restrictions.
- Researchers can travel, lecture, and attend relevant conferences
- Easy collaboration between research Higher Ed Institutions, U.S.-based companies, and economic development organizations
- No requirement to sponsor or host researchers for the entire five years
- They can easily transfer to other research facilities, academic Higher Ed Institutions, or U.S.-based companies
- More than one site of research activity allowed
- No caps on the number of researchers your organization can bring in
- No maximum on candidate age
Support Your Mission. Enhance the Academic Experience.
- Energize your institution, scholars, faculty, researchers, and other team members through exposure to diverse perspectives, new ways of thinking, and novel approaches to problem solving
- Build your institution’s international credibility, stature, and brand
- Attract more funding and donations
- Positively affect the lives of future professionals across borders
- Create and strengthen your overseas network to partner organizations
- Set your institution apart from the competition with innovative ideas and perspectives
Provide Resources for Your Local Community & Alumni
- Foster meaningful collaborations between academia and industry to extend your impact beyond your campus
- Support local innovation hubs, startups, and other businesses
- Create jobs and nurture innovation in your city, state, and beyond
- Expand U.S.-based companies’ access to a global STEM talent pool
How it Works
STEM Expert
U.S.-Based companies
Attorneys
Sponsor
Participation Guide: How to Get Started
1 | Find a research Candidate
Instances, your current team members will have suggestions on which global experts they want to bring on board. They are likely very familiar with other experts in their field of research through publications, research conferences, and other events. Occasionally, a foreign researcher may reach out to your organization directly to express their interest. In addition, a matching platform is currently being built to match foreign researchers to relevant STEM research opportunities in the U.S. Once launched, this platform can help your organization find qualified candidates directly.
2 | Reach Out to a Sponsoring Organization
Find a sponsor to work with on the application process and throughout the course of your researchers’ stay in the U.S.
3 | Prepare Paperwork & Apply for Visa
The sponsoring organization will work with you on what paperwork and documentation you’ll need to apply for the J-1 STEM Research Visa initiative.
4 | Map Out Logistics
- What is their timeline for bringing a foreign researcher(s) over to the U.S.? Do they have a desired start date in mind?
- What is their purpose for bringing over a foreign researcher? What will the researcher’s work be focused on?
- How will the researcher collaborate with their internal teams? Who will supervise their efforts?
- How will they compensate the foreign researcher: an hourly wage, bi-monthly salary, a stipend? How much can their organization afford to pay?
- What are their desired goals and outcomes for hosting a foreign researcher? What by what date?
- How will they measure progress?
5 | Ensure a Successful Start
Make a plan for pre- and post- arrival. Consider the following:
- What will the orientation process look like for your foreign STEM researcher?
- What will ensure a successful onboarding?
- Schedule a meeting to introduce your researcher to the rest of the team.
- Prepare a list of expectations and goals for the research engagement and ensure these are communicated clearly to your research.
6 | Collaborate with Sponsors on Ongoing Administration
Facilitate transfers to other employers or academic institutions
About the STEM Research Initiative
The STEM Research Initiative is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, sponsoring organizations and U.S.-based companies electing to host foreign nationals involved in research and development at their organization. Developed by the State Department with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the initiative was devised to make it easier for U.S.-based companies and institutions to tap into a diverse well of overseas talent and global perspectives. By nurturing collaboration between domestic and foreign researchers, it aims to advance innovation and accelerate STEM research in the U.S. and beyond.
Learn moreFAQs for U.S.-Based Companies
Want to read other user-specific FAQs?
I represent a STEM business. Why should I participate in the STEM Initiative?
The Department created a webpage for the STEM Research Initiative so that interested businesses could easily find BridgeUSA sponsors. If a business is not already hosting exchange visitors through a BridgeUSA sponsor or if it is interested in exploring new options, host organizations are encouraged to interview several BridgeUSA sponsors to determine the best fit for their organization. For you, these exchanges mean bringing a global perspective into your operations‚ diversifying your teams, enhancing your innovation, and building your global network.
If the sponsor is a Department-designated university, and the school already has J-1 research scholars on campus, may the school place the J-1 research scholar with an off-campus host organization?
Yes. A J-1 research scholar may continue their research off campus with a host organization if the primary objective of the exchange will remain the same (e.g., continuation of original research goals). Sponsors must add the additional site of activity in the exchange visitor’s SEVIS record and may amend the length of an exchange visitor’s program in SEVIS within the category’s maximum duration to avail of new eligible sites of activity (e.g., a STEM business). Once the SEVIS record is amended, the sponsor should issue an updated Form DS-2019 to the exchange visitor.
If the sponsor is a Department-designated university, may the school place the J-1 research scholar with a host that is off-campus?
Yes. The school may place the J-1 research scholar with an off-campus host as long as the research scholar is conducting research consistent with their original program objectives. The host organization does not need to have any affiliation with the school. Examples include a startup that is affiliated with a faculty member of the school or an affiliated or unaffiliated corporation performing research and development in the school’s regional area.
Seeking guidance regarding a STEM Research Scholar who is nearing the end of their program, which has lasted the full five years, but they are still in the writing process of some important publications. Are exchange visitors in STEM permitted to request extension beyond maximum duration of participation?
If there was no exceptional reason that the exchange visitor missed time during the five-year program (e.g., COVID-19, medical leave of absence), then no extensions are permitted beyond the five-year maximum time allowed under the Research Scholar regulations.
The STEM Research Initiative is now listed as a separate program on the BridgeUSA website. Does this mean that a program sponsor that a company already uses must be separately designated for the Initiative in order to participate?
No new designations are required to participate in the STEM Research Initiative. The Initiative links interested STEM businesses with interested BridgeUSA sponsors. If a STEM business is already working with a BridgeUSA sponsor and it is satisfied with that partnership (e.g., the sponsor is providing enough eligible, high quality exchange visitor candidates), there is no need for the business to sign up.
Resources
Supplementary Resources for U.S.-Based Companies
