Relevant achievements
Education, research, publications, technical accomplishments, prior projects, implementation and other relevant success.
NIW Prong Two • Researcher Strategy
NIW Well Positioned: Show Why You Can Advance the Proposed Endeavor
Prong Two shifts the focus from the importance of the endeavor to the researcher. The question is whether your education, skills, prior achievements, plans, progress, resources and outside support show that you are well positioned to advance the specific endeavor you propose.
The Positioning Chain
Connect Past Success to Future Progress
Progress and resources
Current projects, collaborations, grants, laboratory access, institutional support, prototypes or research already underway.
A credible path forward
Explain how the researcher’s existing expertise, resources and momentum position the person to advance the proposed endeavor.
Prong Two Evidence
Evidence That May Show a Researcher Is Well Positioned
Education Specialized academic training relevant
to the proposed work.
Research Experience Prior work directly connected to the endeavor.
Publications Evidence of substantive work in the relevant area.
Citations Independent scholarly influence when meaningful.
Prior Results Scientific, technical, clinical or practical success.
Research Funding Resources and institutional support for related work.
Collaborators Researchers and institutions able to help advance the work.
Current Progress Studies, prototypes, data, programs or projects underway.
Patents and Technology Prior innovation and implementation relevant to the endeavor.
Independent Adoption Evidence that prior work was useful to others.
Institutional Interest Support from organizations interested in the work.
Detailed Future Plan Concrete activities for advancing the endeavor.
Common Problem
Prong Two Should Not Be a CV Dump
Weak
“I have a PhD, ten papers and 200 citations.”
These facts may be useful, but standing alone they do not explain why the researcher is positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
Stronger
Connect each achievement to future capability.
Explain how prior research, methods, collaborators, data, funding and current progress make advancement of the particular endeavor realistic.
Evidence to Argument
What Does Each Credential Actually Show?
Evidence Useful Question Connection to Prong Two
Prior publications Have you already worked on the problem? Demonstrates relevant research experience.
Citations Has related work influenced others? May corroborate a prior record of success.
Grant funding Are resources available to advance related work? May show support and ability to continue progress.
Current project Has the endeavor already begun? Evidence of progress toward the proposed endeavor.
Collaborator letter Who is prepared to work with you? May corroborate concrete support and future activity.
An Important Distinction
You Do Not Have to Guarantee That the Endeavor Will Ultimately Succeed
The issue is whether the evidence shows that you are well positioned to advance the endeavor.
Research inherently involves uncertainty. The petition should demonstrate capability, progress, planning, resources and support rather than promise a guaranteed scientific outcome.
Common USCIS Issue
When USCIS Questions Prong Two, Identify the Missing Connection.
Common Questions
Well Positioned FAQ
Are publications required to be well positioned?
No universal publication requirement exists. Different research and technical records may establish positioning through different evidence.
Are citations required?
No fixed citation requirement exists. Citations can help show prior influence but are only one possible form of evidence.
Can funding help?
Yes. Funding may demonstrate resources, institutional support and progress, particularly when it relates directly to the proposed endeavor.
Do I need to prove the research will succeed?
USCIS guidance recognizes that being well positioned does not require proving that the endeavor will ultimately succeed. The claims still need credible evidentiary support.
Primary Legal Source USCIS Policy Manual — National Interest Waiver Research Grants Evidence Guide