VFC Agenda

The current 2-year (2006-2008) agenda of the NIHVFC includes:

Working with the NIH Alumni Association (NIHAA) to establish more NIH Alumni Association Chapters in developing countries under the sponsorship of a leading local scientific organization. This endeavor will include the creation of an Alumni Database of all present, future, and eventually, past Visiting Fellows (VFs) on campus. It is hoped that these Associations will assist VFs in:

  • Interacting with other local non-governmental and governmental bodies related to the scientific field to facilitate exchange of information on job and grant opportunities
  • Overcoming isolation on their return home
  • Increasing their capacity building by improving the possibility of collaboration among returnees.

Working with various NIH offices to advertise the VF’s work at NIH on his/her return home. This will involve the preparation of a press release highlighting the NIH research and training activities undertaken by VFs during their time at NIH. This press release will be disseminated with the support, where applicable, of the VF’s home country sponsor, in local media outlets in the VF’s home country to coincide with their return home.

Continue working with the Division of International Services to facilitate the dissemination of information on visa and tax issues in a timely manner to VFs.

 

NIHVFC Achievements since its conception in 2003:

Conducting the NIHVFC Career Fair, which is held annually to keep VFs updated on the recent developments and opportunities in science and technology in their home countries.

Formation of the NIH Alumni Association Chapter in Brazil (other countries?)

Creation of the concept “Science Voices from Home” to facilitate meetings between VFs with visiting scientists when the latter pay visits to NIH.

In co-ordination with Fogarty International Center (FIC) and other NIH offices, grant writing training programs for GRIP have been conducted annually for VFs. Describe what GRIP is and how successful this has been.

Creation of the NIHVFC newsletter to advertise the VF’s work at NIH following completion of their training at NIH. Additionally, the newsletter also serves to disseminate information on issues that would be of interest to the VFs.

In co-ordination with the Division of International Services, NIHVFC is working to create a booklet that would inform the VFs on various issues pertinent to their visas, e.g. information on when to renew their J-1 visas and whom to contact on how to start the renewal process.

Last updated on: 03/26/2008