Foreign Guest Researcher Program

Foreign guest researchers, also known as foreign national associates, work directly with NIST staff on projects that are relevant to NIST’s mission.

Foreign guest researchers work across NIST’s laboratories supporting efforts to advance our understanding of measurement science and emerging technologies. 

You  can become a foreign guest researcher in three ways: 

• Support from your home institution 
• Support through bilateral programs or international organizations 
• Direct researcher-to-researcher collaboration or support 

NIST may be able to provide you with a modest allowance for U.S. living expenses, but most of your funding will need to come from a sponsoring company or institution. 

If you’re interested in a foreign guest researcher opportunity, contact the NIST researcher you are interested in working with for more information. Researchers’ contact information is available via our laboratories and user facilities. 

If you are accepted, we’ll assist you with: 

• NIST policies and procedures 
• U.S. visa requirements
• Coordinating with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State on your Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa

For more information contact iaaofna [at] nist.gov (iaaofna[at]nist[dot]gov).