Eligibility Requirement for Academic Training
As a student sponsored on a J-1 visa, your internship or research opportunity is referred to as Academic Training (AT). AT is defined as work or training related to a student’s field of study. With few exceptions, Academic Training should last between 8 and 12 weeks and take place during the summer semester. J-1 students are eligible for Academic Training by meeting all of the following requirements:
• AT must be related to the major field of study listed on the DS-2019.
• Students must be in good academic standing and legal program status.
• All AT requests must be submitted to IIE for approval.
• Students must obtain endorsement from their academic advisor or dean for their intended AT program.
• AT should be a full time position unless otherwise approved by IIE.
• Students may not participate in AT during their first semester in the U.S.
• For the duration of AT students must be enrolled in a health insurance plan which covers illnesses and accidents including medical evacuation and repatriation.
• Students must comply with the two-year home residency requirement of the J-1 visa upon completion of the Brazil Scientific Mobility program.
Application Procedure
Please make sure you follow the steps listed below. Your AT will not be approved unless you have submitted the required forms.
• Consult with your academic advisor, dean or career services office before applying for AT.
• Obtain a written offer of internship employment from your AT employer on the company's official letterhead.
• Complete the Request for Academic Training form.
• Review your offer of employment with an academic dean or advisor and obtain his or her endorsement by submitting Part F of the Request for Academic Training form.
• Email your completed Request for Academic Training form to your internship supervisor and obtain his or her endorsement on Part G of the Request for Academic Training form.
• Submit the Request for Academic Training form and a copy of your official offer letter to IIE at BrazilAT@iie.org.
Academic Training Student Responsibilities
While engaged in AT, students are required to maintain their legal status and continue compliance with the following J-1 regulations:
• Academic training will cease before the conclusion of a student's DS-2019 or, if the student began his or her grant in the spring, before the beginning of the student's fall semester.
• Students will report any changes in their U.S. address during the AT.
• Students will report any changes in their AT provider, location or dates to IIE immediately. Any changes to approved academic training programs require advanced authorization from IIE.
After you have read the guidelines, please click on the Forms tab listed above to complete and submit the required forms to IIE.
Questions
Does the summer Academic Training opportunity (internship) need to be in the city where the BSMP student currently goes to school?
No, internships can take place anywhere in the United States but cannot take place in other countries. Internships outside of the United States will not be approved.
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Do hosting institutions or companies need to sponsor the BSMP student's visa during Academic Training?
No. IIE will continue to be the J-1 visa sponsor for BSMP students while they complete internships. Hosting institutions do not need to perform any visa sponsorship administration for their BSMP interns.
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Will the students’ universities in Brazil recognize credits earned as Academic Training?
Different home universities have different policies about accepting internship credits from activities in the U.S. This is something students will need to discuss with their home universities directly.
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For students who are studying medicine, dentistry, nursing, and veterinarian sciences, can Academic Training involve contact with patients?
No; J-1 visa regulations stipulate that exchange visitors cannot have direct contact with patients. Students in these fields should speak with their academic advisors about looking for internships that focus on research or other opportunities that do not require hands-on interaction with people or animals. Students can also pursue observation-based positions.
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Can students work over/under 35 hours per week during their summer Academic Training opportunities?
Students can work over 35 hours per week, but not less. Each summer Academic Training opportunity needs to require the student intern to work for at least 35 hours per week.
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How long should the summer Academic Training last?
The summer internship should last at least 8 weeks and must conclude before the student’s next semester (in the U.S. or in Brazil) begins. Most summer internships will last no longer than 12 weeks. In no case should an internship last longer than 16 weeks.
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Can students combine two Academic Training opportunities to reach the 35 hour per week or 8 week minimum requirements?
Yes, as long as they are consecutive (the second internship begins the week following the conclusion of the first internship) and both are approved by IIE.
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Can the Academic Training opportunity be paid?
BSMP students can pursue internships that are unpaid or paid. Students will continue receiving a stipend and health insurance from BSMP during their internships.
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How soon after the semester ends do students need to begin their summer Academic Training?
Internships must begin no later than 30 days after the end of the semester.
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Can students go back to Brazil or visit another country between the end of the semester and the beginning of Academic Training?
No, students will need to stay in the U.S. throughout the entire period of the BSMP grant. This includes the period between classes and summer internships.
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Do students have to do an AT internship as part of the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program?
Academic Training is an integral part of the Brazil Scientific Mobility grant. IIE has set up systems to help connect students with meaningful internships, and it is expected that they will participate in one during the summer of the BSMP grant.
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Does on-campus employment count as Academic Training?
Yes. On-campus employment may be authorized only when it is a research or teaching assistantship position, relates directly to the student’s field of study, and does not interfere with full-time course work. All on-campus employment requests need to be approved by IIE. The time students spend in on-campus employment will count against their total time eligible for Academic Training.
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If students want to pursue a part-time internship for course credit, does this count as Academic Training?
Yes. All internships count as Academic Training and must be approved by IIE before a student can begin the internship.
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Can students have an internship during their first semester of school?
No. BSMP students are not permitted to participate in internships during their first semester of school.
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Can students have an internship during their second semester of school?
Requests for Academic Training during the school year are permitted (as long as the student maintains a full course load) and will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Students who complete Academic Training during classes should also find a full-time AT opportunity over the summer.
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What are the tax obligations for BSMP student interns who complete paid Academic Training opportunities?
Under the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain scholarships made to foreign students are generally subject to withholding for income tax purposes and may lead to tax liability unless the scholarship is used to pay tuition or other instructional fees. BSMP scholarship funds from the Government of Brazil are not subject to withholding, but students do have several responsibilities concerning taxes from income generated through Academic Training or any other approved student employment. Any income paid to the student for these activities is subject to U.S. income tax regulations and withholding of all local, state and federal taxes except social security. It is the student’s sole responsibility to inquire with the IRS and respective State tax authorities to see if they are required to pay additional tax on this income. It is also the student’s sole responsibility to obtain all proper documentation and to file income tax returns with the IRS or State tax authorities whether or not he or she incurs a tax liability, and to complete and submit Parts I and III of Form 8843 at the end of the calendar year. The form and instructions can be found at http://www.irs.gov/. Specific instructions for exchange visitors can be found at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Foreign-Students-and-Scholars. IIE will not be able to assist students with federal or state tax filing preparation.
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You must apply directly to the contact(s) listed for the organizations to seek academic training opportunities. Organizations may have a deadline for the position(s) listed and require a formal application, resume, cover letter to explain your interest in interning for the company. Not all positions have the same requirements.
Please click on the links below to explore the organizations and learn more about available positions at organizations that IIE has identified for students in the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program.
Please check regularly as new companies are added.
Praxair is a global Fortune 300 company that supplies atmospheric, process and specialty gases, high-performance coatings, and related services and technologies. Praxair is a recognized leader in sustainable development.
The Smithsonian Institute, founded in 1846, is the world’s largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities.
NCR is a company focused on more than just a niche self-service technology, geography or market. Our people offer a broader perspective that enables our customers not only to achieve their goals, but to transform their business models.
International Paper is a global leader in the paper and packaging industry and supplies a wide range of products that people rely on every day. The company produces uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging.
Vermeer is a leading agricultural, construction, environmental and industrial equipment manufacturing company .Vermeer has been recognized with the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, designed to recognize leadership and innovation in managing natural resources.
CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management. CH2M HILL has the human and technical resources, the international footprint, and the depth of know-how and experience to help clients achieve success in any corner of the world.
Rockwell Automation's global capabilities extend across 80 countries and include a Partner Network of more than 5,600 regional and global specialists in distribution, system integration and product referencing.
The AES Corporation is a global power company with generation and distribution businesses. Through our diverse portfolio of thermal and renewable fuel sources, we provide affordable and sustainable energy in 27 countries.
NurturEnergy, an open innovation green energy company designs cutting-edge lighting and climate-control systems for industry-leading manufacturers and retailers. Based in St. Louis, they have won awards for innovative, sustainable product designs.
Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer, discovers, develops, and delivers innovative human therapeutics. Our medicines help millions of patients in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, we continue to advance science to serve patients.
DuPont, is a world leader in market driven innovation and science.Operating in approximately 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
General Electric is an international leader in the fields of energy, technology infrastructure, capital finance and health care, with businesses and operations in over 100 countries. GE participates in a wide variety of markets including the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, lighting, industrial automation, medical imaging equipment, motors, railway locomotives, aircraft jet engines, and aviation services.
Braskem is the world leader in the production of biopolymers. Braskem is a publicly traded company with operations in the international market and listings on the stock exchanges of São Paulo (BMF & BOVESPA), New York (NYSE) and Latibex, the Latin American section of the Madrid Stock Exchange.