U.S. STEM Grantees

Grantees

Increasing Awareness and Use of J-1 Research Visa

Recipient: Cultural Vistas and American Immigration Council (partnering with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and the Institute for International Education (IEE))

Increasing awareness and use of the J-1 Research visa among U.S. companies, higher education institutions, STEM researchers, immigration attorneys and economic development organizations by building ResearcherUSA.com, a go-to resource on the STEM research initiative, and STEMTalentConnect.com, an online portal that matches U.S. research institutions and companies with international STEM researchers who are seeking research-related employment opportunities in the U.S.

Building a Screening Tool to Educate Non-Citizen University Students and Graduates about U.S. Immigration Pathways

Recipient: Innovation Lab Law

Developing a screening tool for non-citizen university students and graduates that educates potential applicants about employment-based immigration pathways. The tool will connect students and graduates with legal case management platforms so that applicants can receive rapid holistic screenings by immigration lawyers. The tool will initially focus on assessing whether applicants are eligible for the H-1B visa and require a D-3 waiver of inadmissibility.

Increasing the Adoption of the J-1 Researcher Visa

Recipient: Cultural Vistas

Increasing the uptake of the J-1 Researcher visa through marketing efforts and direct sponsorship of visas. As an official Exchange Visitor Program sponsor, Cultural Vistas is on track during the one year grant period to sponsor 150 J-1 participants in the Research Scholar category hosted by companies.

Supporting Higher-Education Institutions and Their Non-Citizen Students in Leveraging Employment-Based Immigration Pathways

Recipient: Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

Producing resources and working with university leadership to educate non-citizen students and alumni on immigration pathways to pursue employment in the U.S. after graduation. The Presidents’ Alliance has launched a comprehensive resource hub: www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/lptw/ and will launch an H-1B visa fellowship program for eligible non-citizen alumni in STEM, healthcare, teaching, and other critical employment sectors.

Fostering a Peer Learning Cohort Focused on International Student Retention

Recipient: Global Detroit

Bringing together leaders of international student retention programs from across the United States to learn best practices and enhance their programs to better retain international students in the U.S. post-graduation.

Connecting Displaced STEM Professionals with U.S. Employers

Recipient: Talent Beyond Boundaries

Connecting outstanding displaced STEM professionals with U.S. employers in critical and emerging technology sectors. For its first cohort, Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) will identify displaced STEM PhD holders from TBB’s Talent Catalog, targeting industries like semiconductor manufacturing, green technology, and artificial intelligence.

Developing an AI-Powered Eligibility Checker for O-1A Visa Status

Recipient: Path Immigration, Inc

Prototyping and launching O-1A Pathways, an AI-powered eligibility checker for O-1A visa status which will also provide suggestions on how O-1 aspirants can enhance their qualifications.

Leveraging Technology to Accelerate the Preparation of O-1A, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Petitions

Recipient: Plymouth Street

Scaling up a customer-focused software product to expedite the preparation of O-1A, EB-1A, and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petitions, educating individuals and companies on employment-based visa pathways, and enhancing prospective candidates’ visa eligibility through curated network connections and partnerships.

Studying USCIS Implementation of International STEM Talent Policy Guidance

Recipient: Migration Policy Institute

Assessing whether the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has fully implemented the 2022 guidance on O-1A visas, STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT), and National Interest Waivers (NIW). The study will also examine whether USCIS staff require additional training and identify remaining barriers to the comprehensive execution of STEM talent policies, including their impact on related pathways, such as the EB-1A green card.

Adding a Global Perspective to Teams at U.S. AI Firms Using the J-1 Researcher Visa

Recipient: Vedian College (in conjunction with Global Talent Fund)

Identifying top STEM talent who are International Math and Science Olympiad winners from the Global South to complete a Master’s degree in Data Science from Vedian College. Upon graduation, each individual will secure a research-related position in the U.S. through the J-1 Research visa.
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Empowering Rural Communities to Attract and Retain International STEM Degree Graduates of U.S. Universities

Recipient: Center on Rural Innovation

Equipping rural community leaders with the tools, knowledge, and skills to attract and retain foreign-born advanced STEM degree graduates of U.S. universities in rural communities. This initiative involves conducting workshops and providing training on navigating existing visa pathways to retain international STEM professionals. Additionally, ongoing support will be provided to communities planning to or implementing international tech talent visa pilot programs, empowering them to develop sustainable, long-term strategies.

Attracting and Retaining International STEM Degree Graduates and STEM Professionals in Regional Hubs

Recipient: inSpring‍

Accelerating the attraction and retention of foreign-born STEM degree graduates of U.S. universities and STEM professionals within high demand, critical industries by establishing industry centers of excellence in Manufacturing Technology, Life Sciences, and Healthcare in regional hubs. inSpring will utilize a place-based approach to increase the awareness of existing immigration pathways among employers in regional hubs, including partnering with Path Immigration to promote the O-1A Eligibility Checker. inSpring will enhance the employability of foreign-born STEM professionals, leading to greater retention of this talent regionally. This initiative also includes the deployment of placed-based and industry-based STEM Ambassadors who will amplify their experience leveraging the full range of immigration pathways in order to promote the employment and retention of foreign-born STEM professionals in the regions.

Expanding Access to the J-1 STEM Researcher Exchange Program in Non-Traditional Technology Hubs

Recipient: American Immigration Council

Expanding access to the J-1 Research Scholar visa pathway by empowering small to mid-sized business and underrepresented communities in emerging STEM hubs. This initiative will leverage the Council’s established relationships with mayors, governors, business coalitions, and chambers of commerce across 30 states, including its Global Talent Chamber Network, to increase adoption and facilitate broader participation in the J-1 Research Scholar program.

Enhancing Access, Awareness, and Adoption of the STEM Talent Connect Portal

Recipient: IAESTE U.S. (partnering with Cultural Vistas and EducationUSA)

Maximizing awareness and utilization of the J-1 Research Scholar program by amplifying the reach and impact of STEMTalentConnect.com, an online portal that connects U.S. research institutions and companies with international STEM researchers seeking research-related employment opportunities in the United States. This initiative will target foreign-born STEM research candidates, and U.S. companies to increase candidate registrations and employer engagement with the online portal. It will also involve partnering with EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's network of 400 advising centers in more than 170 countries, in order to expand outreach for international STEM professionals to come to the U.S. to be hosted by companies.