Update: The application deadline for the 2016 Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese students has been extended to March 10, 2016!
The Nakatani Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the application cycle for the 2016 Nakatani RIES: Research & International Experience Program for Japanese students! Nakatani RIES connects undergraduates with the best of science & engineering research in Japan and the U.S. and is open to undergraduate science & engineering students who are attending Japanese universities.
Japanese Fellows can apply for this seven-week program in the U.S. from August – September. While abroad, fellows participate in language, cultural, and communication training and conduct a hands-on research internship in a leading science or engineering research host laboratory. The program serves as a catalyst for U.S. & Japanese students interested in future graduate study and research and contributes to the development of a generation of globally-engaged scientists & engineers who have the technical and culture skills to contribute to vibrant international research collaborations in the future.
The Nakatani RIES Program is organized by the Nakatani Foundation and is implemented by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Rice University.
Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese Students
Website: http://nakatani-ries.rice.edu/
Extended Application Deadline: March 10, 2016
The Nakatani Research & International Experiences (RIES) Fellowship for Japanese students is a seven week research internship program in the U.S. for Japanese undergraduate students majoring in science & engineering (S&E). The program will enable students to gain real world experience with S&E research, provide an introduction to U.S. higher education and provide opportunities for cultural engagement and collaboration with U.S. students. The program will serve as a catalyst for Japanese students interested in S&E study and research and engagement with the U.S. through international research collaborations. Up to 10 students will be selected this year.
The Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese Students will be held from early August – September and exposes young scientists and engineers to cutting-edge research in a diverse range of science and engineering fields. Japanese participants will be placed into a Rice University research lab where they will spend five weeks working on a research project under the advisement of the U.S. professor and their assigned U.S. graduate student mentor. Students will also participate in pre-departure programming and one week of campus visits in the U.S. to introduce students to other research environments in the U.S. The capstone experience of the research internship will be the development of a research project poster that will be presented at a symposium held in the U.S. and during a closing workshop in Tokyo.
In addition to research, students will also participant in an Introduction to Science & Engineering Research in the U.S. seminar, receive a stipend to enroll in English language classes or tutoring offered in the local area, and participate in cultural activities and excursions. All participants will also be required to carry out an Alumni Follow-on Project to help promote the Nakatani RIES program at their home university or in their local community in Japan. Opportunities will also be provided for engagement with RIES Fellows from the U.S. via shared in-person workshops and networking and opportunities for virtual engagement via online webinars and e-mentorship.
Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for the Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese Students you must:
- Be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate student in good academic standing
- Be attending a Japanese institution of higher education;
- Be in your second (B2), third (B3), or fourth (B4) year of undergraduate study in the summer;
- Be a Japanese citizen or permanent resident;
- Be able to express a demonstrated interest in international science & engineering research & future graduate study in your field
Women, underrepresented groups, and students from schools with limited research opportunities are particularly encouraged to apply.
English Language Competency: Selected participants will need to provide proof of English language competency either by passing a Skype English Language Proficiency interview with the Rice Center for Written, Oral and Visual Communication or provide proof of minimum English language test scores (e.g. TOEFLibt of 90 or IELTS of 7).
U.S. Visa: Rice University requires that all undergraduate students conducting research in university laboratories enter the U.S. on a non-immigrant, J-1 Non-Degree Student visa. Selected participants will receive detailed information on the J-1 visa application process and documentation required from Rice University.
Benefits: Through the support of the Nakatani Foundation, funding is provided for most Japanese student costs including summer school tuition for 3 research credits, international health insurance for duration of time in the U.S., international airfare to/from Japan, all lodging costs, a meal/living cost stipend, and an English language study/tutoring stipend.
Student Costs: Costs that students will pay for individually include passport and visa/SEVIS fees, immunizations (if required), U.S. cell phone rental and usage, living costs above the provided meal/living cost stipend, independent travel/sight-seeing in the U.S., and other personal expenses.
Application Deadline: Online applications must be submitted by March 1, 2016 and one letter of recommendation must be received by March 7.
We look forward to receiving applications from interested freshman and sophomore science & engineering students from universities nationwide! For questions please email nakatani-ries@rice.edu or call +1 (832) 420-2751. For more information on the Nakatani RIES Fellowship and to access the online application please see http://nakatani-ries.rice.edu/.
