“Are non-U.S. citizens eligible to be the PI of an NIH Research Enhancement Award?”

Yes, non-U.S. citizens are eligible to be the principal investigator (PI) on an NIH Research Enhancement Award (R15).

To check PI eligibility requirements for a given funding opportunity announcement, refer to Section III. Eligibility Information and find the subsection “Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator).” If there is no mention of a citizenship requirement, then your institutional business official is responsible for ensuring that all investigators and personnel have appropriate visas, as explained in the Foreign Workers on NIH Awards SOP.