Factors to Consider Before Receiving Your Badge and Before You Start Your Fellowship:

• Consider any additional processing time for Foreign Nationals.
• ICs should submit a New FTE Case Request to DIS as early as possible. AOs will receive communication on when the deadline is.
  
• Division of International Services (DIS) validation and receipt of a social security number (SSN) are required for DSPAC processing. The person must be in the country for a minimum of 10 days before visiting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to request a SSN. Once the person has the SSN, they must immediately provide it to their AO for entry into NED, so DPSAC can initiate eApp. 
  
• Please note that the SSA has been experiencing delays due to COVID-19.
  
• Please also note that Foreign Nationals who have been in the US for less than three years undergo a limited investigation called a National Agency Check (NAC). Once the person has resided in the US for three years, they are eligible for a full-scope background investigation, which is required to maintain their NIH badge. This second investigation will be initiated by the NED System which will prompt the AO to generate this transaction.
  
• Consider any additional processing time that is required for coordination of rotational duties. 
  
• ​This includes Walter Reed Rotations, which require a Tier 3 investigation before obtaining access to their facility. For more information, please look here.
  
• Please also note that the DPSAC Prescreening process will not start until the AO completes registration and badge sponsorship in NED. Prescreening must be completed in order for the fellow to be authorized for EOD. Please look at the DPSAC Process Overview on our website for more information.