As described in the 2018 National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science, a pillar of the U.S. national strategy for quantum information science (QIS) is advancing international collaboration. This was supplemented by a 2021 report on The Role of International Talent in Quantum Information Science, which “finds that maintaining a strong flow of international students and researchers is an essential component to developing the expert QIST workforce required to achieve U.S. QIST goals as part of an advancing global research enterprise.”
Toward this goal, the U.S. is a founding member of the Entanglement Exchange, a portal for exchange opportunities in QIS with like-minded nations. As part of this exchange, below are some opportunities for U.S. persons to study and/or work abroad, as well as opportunities for international students and scholars to study and/or work in the United States.
VISA INFORMATION
For international students, scholars, and professionals in STEM disciplines looking for opportunities to gain experience in QIS in the United States, information about visas can be found from a variety of sources.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) has published online information to provide an official government overview of the standards applicable for pathways for noncitizens to work in the United States in STEM fields. This guide highlights some of the most important considerations for STEM professionals who want to work in the United States, using reasonably non-technical language. USCIS STEM pathways resources includes:
- a landing page on Options for Noncitizen STEM Professionals to Work in the United States;
- a website on Nonimmigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States; and
- a website on Immigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States.
In addition, the BridgeUSA program, managed by the Educational and Cultural Affairs bureau of the U.S. Department of State, now has an Early Career STEM Research Initiative that allows foreign-born STEM researchers, at all academic levels, to come to the United States and be hosted by industry on J-1 visas. The BridgeUSA STEM Initiative allows individuals to engage in either basic, applied, or experimental research or development efforts with STEM businesses in the United States, for periods of up to five years.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
U.S. Students
For U.S. students wishing to study and/or conduct research abroad, many U.S. universities have “study abroad offices” to help students explore opportunities for studying abroad, and they may be able to suggest opportunities. In addition, some programs for students to conduct research abroad include:
- The NSF International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering undergraduate and graduate students.
- The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study, conduct research or be an English teaching assistant abroad for one academic year.
International Students
For international undergraduate students, the main mechanism for exchange is the United States university system. Students from around the world come to study and conduct research in the United States, either as exchange or visiting students, or as international students pursuing a degree at a U.S. institution of higher learning. Interested students should connect to study abroad programs and individual universities about their processes and requirements.
Research opportunities may also exist at the QIS Research Centers.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
U.S. Students
For U.S. graduate students wishing to study or conduct research abroad, the main mechanism is through international universities. Interested students need to connect to the individual universities and principal investigators to identify opportunities. Some additional programs to conduct research abroad include:
- The NSF International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering undergraduate and graduate students.
- The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study, conduct research or be an English teaching assistant abroad for one academic year.
International Students
For international graduate students, the main mechanism for exchange is the United States university system. Students from around the world come to study and carry out research in the United States. Research grants administered by government agencies are sometimes used to support the stipends of international students working in the United States. Interested students need to connect to the individual universities and principal investigators to identify opportunities.
Research opportunities may also exist at the QIS Research Centers.
POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS
U.S. Scholars
For U.S. scholars seeking a postdoctoral fellowship abroad, the main mechanism is through fellowships with individual principal investigators at international universities. Interested students need to connect to the individual universities and principal investigators to identify opportunities. An additional program for conducting research abroad includes:
- The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study, conduct research or be an English teaching assistant abroad for one academic year.
International Scholars
For international postdoctoral scholars, the main mechanism for exchange is the United States university system. Students from around the world come to study and carry out research in the United States. Research grants administered by government agencies like are sometimes used to support the stipends of international scholars working in the United States. Interested scholars need to connect to the individual universities and principal investigators to identify opportunities.
Research opportunities may also exist at the QIS Research Centers.
RESEARCHERS
U.S. Scholars
For U.S. scholars wishing to conduct research abroad, some programs include:
- The National Science Foundation facilitates several opportunities for joint or supplemental funding to enable international cooperation in QIS. Some of the opportunities are specific to QIS, while others are for a variety of topics including QIS. They are described in a quantum.gov news post on NSF Opportunities for International Collaboration in QIS.
- The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study, conduct research or be an English teaching assistant abroad for one academic year.
International Scholars
Collaborating with a U.S.-based principal investigator is one way to facilitate international, collaborative research and visits. Interested scholars need to connect to the individual universities and principal investigators to identify opportunities.
Research opportunities may also exist at the QIS Research Centers.