Do NIH and NSF research grants count as awards in the EB-2 NIW?

In the EB-2 NIW, the direct answer is: research grants from NIH and NSF are generally not classified as awards. Awards are distinctions granted on merit through competitive evaluations to recognize outstanding achievements. Funding has a different nature: it is a resource to make a project possible.

That does not mean these grants carry no weight in your case, quite the opposite. Because they are typically awarded based on the excellence and relevance of the proposed project, they serve as an indicator of quality in your work and of the recognition you already hold in the academic or scientific community.

In practice, the best approach is to use the funding as complementary evidence, within a broader body of support for your argument of merit and national interest:

• Frame the grant as recognition of the relevance of your project.
• Combine it with publications, citations, and other evidence.
• Make the impact of the funded work clear.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth confirming how to present this evidence with an attorney and checking the latest USCIS guidance before you file.

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Victoria Harper

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.