Activity Types Application Timeline

NIST-SIM Engagement

Opportunity

2019 – 2020

The NIST-SIM Engagement Opportunity provides support 

to Active Members*, National Metrology Institutes 

(NMIs) or Designated institutes (DIs), of the 

Interamerican Metrology System (SIM). NIST supports 

SIM efforts to promote an integrated metrology 

infrastructure throughout the Americas. 

NIST Contact Information

For more information 

regarding this opportunity 

and to answer any 

questions you might have 

regarding the application 

process, please contact 

Andrew Conn at 

andrew.conn@nist.gov. 

Evaluation Criteria

Efforts will be taken to ensure 

support is provided to as 

many NMIs as possible. New 

activities/partnerships will be 

given priority. Applications

must clearly identify project

objectives. Applicants 

should contact NIST hosts/

collaborators prior to 

submitting an application. 

Applications

Applications must have 

approval by NMI or DI 

Management. Applicants must 

specify what type of activity is 

being sought, the level of 

support required, and the 

project plan. Applicants 

requesting Guest Researcher 

appointments must meet 

language proficiency 

requirements.

FOREIGN GUEST RESEARCHER APPOINTMENTS

GUEST RESEARCHER EXCHANGES, RUNNING FROM 3-

MONTHS TO 1-YEAR, BRING NIST LABAROTORY STAFF 

TOGETHER WITH SIM AFFILIATED METROLOGISTS TO 

ADVANCE KEY MEASUREMENT SCIENCE OBJECTIVES. 

CALIBRATION SERVICES

NIST OFFERS CALIBRATIONS IN A WIDE ARRAY OF 

MEASUREMENT FIELDS. THROUGH THIS OPPORTUNITY, 

NIST MAY BE ABLE TO SUPPORT PARTICULAR 

CALIBRATION NEEDS. VISIT www.nist.gov/calibrations

FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS

SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO SECURE SRMS FOR SIM 

PARTNERS – VISIT www.nist.gov/srm FOR MORE 

INFORMATION ON NIST PRODUCE SRMS. 

LEGAL METROLOGY

THE NIST OFFICE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PROVIDES

TRAINING TO METROLOGISTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR – 

VISIT www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures/aboutowm/calendar-events FOR MORE INFO. 

Deadline to Apply 

11 October 2019

Application Review 

14 October – 1 November 2019

Applicants Notified of Final Decision 

4 November 2019

*Participating SIM NMI or DI must possess an 

Active Membership type with SIM to 

receive support.
NIST-SIM Engagement Opportunity / 2019 – 2020

Please complete this application and return to Andrew Conn (andrew.conn@nist.gov) 

Applicant's Name:

NMI/DI:

Applicant's Email:

Activity Type (Please specify the type of support being requested; see page 1 for more details)

Guest Researcher SRMs Calibrations Metrology Training Course (OWM) 

Metrology Area: 

Name of NIST Host/Point of 

Contact (Required):

Expected Start Date & End Date:

SRM Number or Calibration 

service (if applicable):

Training Course Title (if 

applicable): 

Project Summary: 

Explain what type of research, training, or measurement activity will be supported through this project. 

Objectives and Measures of Success:

What achievements will be reached through this exchange? What would define a successful collaboration? 

Benefits to SIM, Participating NMI, and NIST: 

How will all parties involved benefit from this proposal? Will new or existing services be developed or improved? 

Management 

Approval

Name and Title Signature
Guidance on Language Proficiency Verification

Effective January 5, 2015, the U.S. Department of State is requiring all prospective exchange visitors coming to the U.S.

in J-1 visa status demonstrate sufficient English proficiency. The burden for documenting English proficiency rests with 

the host institution. Therefore, before the International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) may issue the DS-2019 

(Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor J-1 Status), documentation must be provided by the NIST host of the 

potential FGR’s English language proficiency. It is recommended that the English proficiency verification be completed 

prior to extending the invitation to participate in NIST’s Exchange Program.

The Department of State released the following guidance to illustrate the level of proficiency that will be required: 

“The Department believes that not only is an exchange visitor’s success in his or her particular program dependent upon 

sufficient English language capability, but good English communication skills are essential to ensure the health, safety, 

and welfare of exchange visitors. Moreover, the Department continues to find that too many exchange visitors lack 

sufficient English proficiency to perform their jobs or complete their exchange programs; to navigate daily life in the 

United States; to read and comprehend program materials; to understand fully their responsibilities, rights, and 

protections; and to know how to obtain assistance, if necessary. Accordingly the Department adopts a modified version 

of the regulatory language governing the Trainee and Intern categories as the program-wide standard for determining 

the English language proficiency of exchange visitors. The Department reminds sponsors to retain evidence of how they 

measured applicants’ English language proficiency so that it may be made available to the Department upon request.” 

Any of the following methods established by the Department of State for determining English language proficiency will 

suffice: 

1. English Language Proficiency Test: IAAO will accept results of either the IELTS (International English Language 

Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) as they are the most widely utilized tests in higher 

education and are available throughout the world: 

• IELTS overall score of 5.5 or higher

• TOEFL (internet based) overall score of 65 or higher, or computer based score of 183 or higher, or paper based 

score of 513 or higher.

2. Signed Documentation from an Academic Institution or English Language School: IAAO will accept a transcript with 

enrollment and grades from a post-secondary academic institution where English is the primary language of 

instruction. 

3. Documented Interview Conducted by the NIST Sponsor in-person, by videoconference, or by web camera (NOTE: 

a telephone interview is acceptable only if the scholar is personally known to the Sponsor): IAAO will accept 

documentation of a video interview conducted by the NIST sponsor, unless the scholar is personally known to the 

host, in which case a telephone interview will suffice. 

For all incoming J1 Exchange Scholars, the NIST sponsor must complete and sign the English Proficiency Verification 

Form and forward it to IAAO either as an attachment to the NAIS Process, as an email attachment or in hard copy

(Building 101/Room A207, Mailstop 1090). The interviewer need not be an expert in English language testing. 

Note: NIST is required to retain the English Proficiency Verification Forms confirming the method used to determine 

English proficiency, and including any applicable proof. Verification documents must be received before a DS-2019 may 

be issued. Failure to do so may result in NIST losing Department of State certification to host J-1 exchange visitors.