Foreign Workers on NIH Awards

Purpose

To allow PIs and other personnel who are not U.S. citizens to work on NIH-supported research projects.

Procedure

Investigators need not be U.S. citizens to apply for a research project grant, e.g., an R01, small grant (R03), or exploratory/developmental grant (R21). Other grant types do have a citizenship requirement (e.g., for trainees appointed to training grants, people who own a small business), which will be stated in the funding opportunity announcement.

Foreign nationals who seek to work on NIH-funded grants or contracts need to address visa considerations and requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

The institutional business official is responsible for ensuring that investigators and personnel have appropriate visas.

Foreign Investigators -- Visa Issues -- Grants

• If you are working at a U.S. institution that is receiving the award, you have to remain there long enough to finish your project.
• If you do not have a permanent visa, state in your application that your visa will allow you to remain in the U.S. long enough for you to finish your project.
• If your visa doesn't cover the life of the grant and you cannot assure us that you will be getting one that does, your institution -- the grantee -- will have to nominate a replacement PI, or we may not be able to issue an award.
• If NIAID issues a grant award and later finds out that your visa does not allow for a long enough stay, NIAID can take action which may include termination of the grant.
• Visa and associated costs are considered consular fees and are not allowable unless part of a recruitment package.

Patriot Act

• The Patriot Act applies to anyone on an NIH-funded research project. Violations can be punished with a $10,000 fine, 10 years imprisonment, or both.
• The Act states that people defined as "restricted" cannot work with pathogens or toxins that are potential bioterrorism agents. To see lists of relevant pathogens, go to HHS and USDA Select Agents and Toxins.
• NIAID does not require assurances from PIs; your institution is responsible for enforcing the law. If the Patriot Act affects you, call your institutional business office for advice.

Patriot Act Definition of Restricted Persons

• Aliens, other than a U.S. permanent resident, who are nationals of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
• Persons who admit using or are convicted users of a controlled substance.
• People under indictment or convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
• Veterans dishonorably discharged from the U.S. armed services.
• Fugitives from justice.
• Aliens illegally in the U.S.
• Persons adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution.

Contacts

NIAID staff, see GMP Assignments by Geographic Region and Program Code for the appropriate grants management specialist.

Grantees with questions should contact the appropriate program officer or grants management specialist, listed on their Notice of Grant Award. For more information, see Contact Staff for Help.

Contractors with questions should ask the primary contact listed in the RFP. See the NIAID RFP list or see the Office of Acquisitions staff listing.

If you have knowledge to share or want more information on this topic, email deaweb@niaid.nih.gov with the title of this page or its URL and your question or comment. Thanks for helping us clarify and expand our knowledge base.

Links

Foreign and International Grants and Components SOP

Training and Career Awards

Deviations and Waivers to Grant Policies SOP

NIH Grants Policy Statement, Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards (scroll down to Eligibility)