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 U.S. universities.

Japanese Fellows can apply to spend up to 6 weeks 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 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 is modeled off of Rice University’s award-winning 2006 – 2015 NanoJapan: International Research Experience for Undergraduates Program which provided 144 U.S. undergraduates with a transformative research & cultural experience in Japan.

Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese Students
Website: http://nakatani-ries.rice.edu/
Application Deadline: March 10, 2016

The Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese Students is a 6-week, summer research internship in science & engineering that is open to undergraduate students from universities throughout Japan. This summer program seeks to cultivate interest in science & engineering research among young Japanese undergraduate students and encourages participants to pursue future graduate study.

The Nakatani RIES Fellowship for Japanese Students program will include the following program components. 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.

• Pre-Departure Webinar
• Orientation Program in Tokyo (2 days)
• Orientation Program at Rice University (2 days)
• Research Internship in a leading science or engineering research at Rice University (5 weeks)
• Final Week Program in the U.S. (1 week)
• Closing Ceremony in Tokyo (1 day)
• Completion of Alumni Follow-on Project

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for the Nakatani RIES Fellowship for U.S. Students must be:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a Japanese citizen or permanent resident;
• Be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate student in good academic standing at a Japanese institution of higher education;
• Be majoring in a science or engineering field;
• Be in their second (B2), third (B3), or fourth (B4) year of undergraduate study as of this summer;
• Be able to express a demonstrated interest in international science & engineering research & future graduate study in your field;
• Have the conversational English-language competence to successfully conduct research in a U.S. university lab.

Benefits: The Nakatani Foundation provides funding for most Japanese student costs including:

• Application Fee & Registration for Rice University Visiting Undergraduate Researchers (3 credits, ELEC 490)
• Health insurance for duration of time in U.S. that meets minimum federal requirements for J-1 visa holders to include accident/illness, medical evacuation, and repatriation coverage
• Domestic Travel in Japan to/from Tokyo
• International Airfare to/from the U.S. departing from Tokyo
• Domestic Travel in the U.S. for one-week campus visits
• Introduction to Research, Higher Education & Society in the U.S. Seminar at Rice University
• English language course stipend (information on local English class options will be made available to participants)
• Lodging in the U.S.
• A partial Meal/Living Cost stipend to be used for duration of time abroad

Student Costs: Students will also need to budget for the following costs which are not provided by the program:

• Passport Application/Renewal Fees (if applicable)
• Visa Application & SEVIS Fees
• Books for language classes (if applicable)
• Immunizations* 
• U.S. Pre-Paid Cell Phone Purchase & Phone Minutes**
• Required meal/living cost that exceeds the stipend provided***
• Travel & Sight-seeing Costs
• Personal spending & shopping

Application Deadline: Online applications must be submitted by March 10, 2016 and on letter of recommendation is due by March 10, 2016.

We look forward to receiving applications from interested Japanese undergraduate students! For questions please email nakatani-ries@rice.edu or call +1 (832) 420-2751.