Launching a Science and Technology (S&T) Ecosystems portfolio to strengthen the U.S. S&T talent pipeline by identifying place-based opportunities to retain international STEM graduate students and postdocs and connect them to regional innovation ecosystems. The initiative builds FAS's science policy capacity and develops strategies to better leverage existing STEM talent pathways, contributing to a more robust national S&T infrastructure.

Conducting a feasibility study and investment case to expand use of underutilized U.S. employment-based immigration pathways for displaced and underrepresented STEM talent abroad. As the U.S. phase of a global Bellagio Coalitioninitiative launched in 2024 with the Migration Policy Institute and 17 other organizations, the project will produce a toolkit to help STEM talent and U.S. employers navigate these pathways.

Expanding access to the Research Scholar visa for small and mid-sized businesses and underrepresented communities in emerging STEM hubs. The initiative will leverage the Council's relationships with state and local leaders and business groups across 30 states, including its Global Talent Chamber Network, to increase program adoption.

Maximizing use of the Research Scholar visa by expanding an online portal that connects U.S. research institutions and companies with international STEM researchers. The initiative will grow candidate and employer engagement, partnering with EducationUSA, the State Department's network of 400 advising centers in more than 170 countries, to broaden outreach.

In 2025, accelerating the attraction and retention of foreign-born STEM talent in critical industries by establishing regional centers of excellence in Manufacturing Technology, Life Sciences, and Healthcare. The initiative will raise employer awareness of existing immigration pathways, including by promoting Path Immigration's O-1A Eligibility Checker, and deploy STEM Ambassadors who share their own experience using these pathways.

Equipping rural community leaders with the tools, knowledge, and skills to attract and retain foreign-born advanced STEM degree graduates of U.S. universities through workshops and training on navigating existing visa pathways. The initiative will also provide ongoing support to communities planning or implementing international tech talent visa pilots, helping them build sustainable, long-term retention strategies.

Connecting outstanding displaced STEM professionals with U.S. employers in critical and emerging technology sectors. The first cohort will draw displaced STEM PhD holders from Talent Beyond Boundaries' Talent Catalog, targeting industries such as semiconductors, green technology, and AI.

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 Research Scholar visa.

Assessing whether USCIS has fully implemented its 2022 guidance on O-1A visas, STEM OPT, and National Interest Waivers. The study will also identify staff training needs and remaining barriers to case preparation, including impacts on related pathways such as the EB-1A green card.

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.

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.

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

Increasing the uptake of the Researcher Scholar visa in 2025 through marketing efforts and direct sponsorship of visas.

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/.

Scaling up a customer-focused software product to expedite the preparation of petitions, educating individuals and companies on employment-based visa pathways, and enhancing prospective candidates’ visa eligibility through curated network connections and partnerships.

Increasing awareness and use of the Research Scholar 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.