Field
“Cancer research”
Too broad to identify the specific undertaking. NIW Prong One • Researcher Strategy
NIW Proposed Endeavor: Define the Research You Intend to Advance
A proposed endeavor is more specific than a job title, occupation or research field. For a researcher, it should explain what work you intend to pursue in the United States, the problem you intend to address, how you expect to advance that work and the broader implications of the endeavor.
The Specificity Problem
Move From a Broad Field to a Concrete Endeavor
USCIS must be able to understand what you personally propose to undertake. Broad descriptions make it difficult to evaluate national importance or whether you are positioned to advance the work.
Occupation
“Biomedical researcher”
Describes the type of professional, but not the proposed endeavor.Proposed Endeavor
Define the research problem, planned work, methods and intended impact.
This is the level at which the NIW analysis should become specific. Endeavor Builder
Five Questions Should Define the Proposed Research
01 What problem are you addressing?
Identify the scientific, medical, engineering or technical problem with enough specificity to understand the work.
02 What will you actually do?
Describe the research, development, analysis, experimentation, modeling or other planned activity.
03 How will you do it?
Identify meaningful methods, technologies, approaches or research directions.
04 Who may benefit?
Identify potential users, institutions, industries, patients, researchers or other stakeholders.
05 What could change if you succeed?
Explain the prospective scientific, technological, clinical or other broader consequences of advancing the endeavor.
Weak vs. Strong
Make the Endeavor Concrete Enough to Be Evaluated
Too General
“I will continue research in artificial intelligence.”
This identifies a field but does not explain the specific work the researcher proposes to undertake.
Better Structure
Define the problem, activity and anticipated impact.
Explain the particular research direction, methods or technology, intended users and the broader problem the work is designed to address.
Employment vs. Endeavor
The Job Can Support the Endeavor Without Defining It
Current Position Shows the environment in which current
research may be performed.
Research Projects Provide concrete evidence of work already
related to the proposed endeavor.
Collaborators Can help establish how planned work
may actually move forward.
Institutional Resources Laboratories, data, equipment and other
resources can support feasibility.
Future Employment Can provide a setting for the endeavor
without turning NIW into a job offer petition.
Independent Activities Collaborations, publications, research and
technical activity may extend beyond one employer.
Documentary Support
Evidence That Can Make a Proposed Endeavor Concrete
01 Endeavor statement Detailed description of future work
02 Current research projects Evidence of related work already underway
03 Research proposals Specific planned studies or technical work
04 Collaboration evidence Researchers and institutions involved
05 Funding records Resources supporting the planned work
06 Institutional support Facilities, access, data or technical resources
Next Legal Question
Once the Endeavor Is Clear, Ask Why It Is Nationally Important.
Common Questions
Proposed Endeavor FAQ
Is my job title my proposed endeavor?
No. The proposed endeavor should be more specific than the general occupation or job title and describe the work you intend to undertake.
Does the endeavor have to match my current job exactly?
The petition should present a coherent relationship between your background, current work and future endeavor, but the endeavor is not simply a copy of your job description.
Can my proposed endeavor include several related projects?
Potentially. The projects should fit within a coherent proposed endeavor rather than appearing as unrelated possible future activities.
Should the endeavor describe only work already completed?
No. The endeavor concerns what you propose to advance, although prior and current work can provide important evidence supporting the plan.
Primary Legal Source USCIS Policy Manual — EB2 and National Interest Waiver NIW for Researchers