OVERVIEW

The Studying Abroad for Nuclear Innovation (SANI) provides an excellent opportunity for graduate students to study abroad at world-class U.S. universities conducting cutting-edge nuclear research and education.

Dozens of laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will openly accept students from Japanese universities under the SANI.

The research topic is expected to bring about innovation in nuclear fields at a future date and emphasizes the possibility of developing into international joint research after studying abroad.

The joint paper by a SANI2022 student and MIT researchers has been published in IEEE

A joint international paper by Dr. Toshiro Sakabe, who was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as one of the SANI2022 students and now is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, and MIT researchers has been online published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science and published.

T. Sakabe , E. Edwards , A. Lanzrath, N. Goles , J. Ball , S. Mackie , S. Segantin , K. Mukai , J. Yagi, R. A. Tinguely , and K. B. Woller, “Neutron Energy Distribution and Energy-Corrected Spatial Distribution Around a Sealed-Tube DT Fusion Neutron Generator”, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE, published online.
DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2024.3384234

Particulars of Additional Call for SANI2024

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) operates the Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP), and as one of the NICP activities, the Nuclear Innovation Study Abroad Program (SANI) will be implemented in 2024.

SANI2024 calls for additional applications for doctoral students to study abroad in nuclear energy-related departments at U.S. universities to support their research activities for future innovation in the field of nuclear energy.

Schedule	Contents	Date & Time	Notes
Application Requirements	This program is open to full-time students enrolled in a doctoral program at a Japanese university who are conducting research related to nuclear engineering. In accordance with the regulations of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), students must have Japanese citizenship or permanent residency in Japan. In order to provide as many doctoral students as possible with the opportunity to conduct research abroad, preference will be given to students who have no (or little) research experience outside Japan.
Required Research Topic	The research topic is expected to bring about innovation in the future nuclear fields and emphasizes the possibility of developing into international joint research.
Required Research Contents	Research activities in the laboratory affiliated with the SANI2024 Host Faculty List Applicants must fill in the first and second choices of intended host supervisors in the application form. Intended length of stay is 4 months from November 2024 to February 2025.
Host Universities, Departments, and Laboratories	Laboratories in the following universities that will accept SANI students Dept. of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, University of California Berkeley Dept. of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison Dept. of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, North Carolina State University Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University
Number of Students to be Selected	One or Two
Support Contents	Round trip fare from/to the airport and a round-trip airline E-ticket JPY400,000/month Stipend (Duration of stay must be for more than 3 months and not more than 4 months. If the final month of stay is less than 14 days, the stipend for the month will not be provided. If you stay for more than 15 days in the final month, the stipend of the month will be paid.)
Application Method	Please refer to the SANI2024 Host Faculty Listand the partner university's websites to consider which laboratory you wish to be accepted. Please follow the application guidelines and apply online by the deadline. *Please ask your academic supervisor at the home university to write your Recommendation and send it to the NICP Secretariat (nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp) by email. The SANI selection committee will screen the application documents, and then invite applicants for an interview in English. The English interview will be conducted online and will last approximately 10 minutes. Applicants will be asked to briefly introduce themselves, and explain the significance and plans of their study abroad program. Afterward, the committee will ask questions on related topics for about 10 minutes. The NICP office will get into a negotiation with the faculty in charge at the SANI university on whether a selected student can be accepted or not. Please note that students may have an opportunity to have an online interview with their desired host supervisor. When the matching of the applicant and his/her host supervisor is concluded, the applicant’s studying abroad will materialize. The results will be notified to the applicant and his/her academic supervisor at the home university. The host supervisor cannot be changed after the assignment.
Deadline for Application	Friday, Noon, May 24, 2024
	Application Deadline	Fri, Noon, May 24
	Interview (Zoom）	Fri. 13:30 – 15:30, May 31	* 20 minutes per person * Please understand that applicants may not request to reschedule the interview under any circumstances.
	Notification of Tentative Selection Result	Fri., June 7	* Please note that we won’t be able to answer the inquiries on selection criteria.
	Preparation for Studying Abroad	June – October	[Participating Students] Procedures for studying abroad at the home university and with the host university, obtaining a visa, arranging accommodation, and discussing research details with the host supervisor [NICP Office] Arrangement of round-trip airline E-ticket and payment of the study abroad scholarship
	Studying Abroad	November 2024 – February 2025
	Accomplishment Presentation (Zoom）	March 2025
Online Info Session	The Online Information Session for SANI2024 took place on January 30 via zoom. The presentation material and video footage of the day are available here.
Link Information	Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program Office Link for Application: https://forms.gle/4pF77R2i4goPEsJg7 Email for Enquiry and Recommendation from Applicants’ Academic Supervisor: nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp

SANI2023 Result Reporting Meeting

On March 18, 2024, a meeting to report the results of the SANI2023 was held via Zoom.

Two SANI2023 students, who participated in the second term of the program, reported on their research activities at the host laboratory during the four-month study period from September to December and the research results, as well as how the program has broadened their perspectives and helped them build new friendships. The results were confirmed to lead to their future research and career.

Mr. Ryunosuke Nishio

Home University	Graduate Major in Nuclear Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Host University	Professor Emilio Baglietto Dept. of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Period of study abroad	Depart from Japan; September 2, 2023, Return to Japan; December 28, 2023
Presentation

Mr. Yu Fujiwara

Home University	Graduate Major in Quantum Reaction Engineering, Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
Host University	Associate Professor John Ford Department of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University
Period of study abroad	Depart from Japan; September 3, 2023, Return to Japan; December 23, 2023
Presentation

SANI2023 students posted a blog about their experiences

Two SANI2023 students posted a blog (Japanese only) about their study abroad experiences and research activities there.

Yu Fujiwara

Ryunosuke Nishio

Recruitment Guidance for SANI2024 held online

The recruitment guidance for SANI2024 took place on January 30 via zoom.
The presentation material and video footage of the day are available here. *only in Japanese

Particulars of SANI2024

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) operates the Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP), and as one of the NICP activities, the Studying Abroad for Nuclear Innovation (SANI) will be implemented in 2024.

Schedule	Contents	Date & Time	Notes
Application Requirements	This program is open to full-time students enrolled in a doctoral program at a Japanese university who are conducting research related to nuclear engineering. In accordance with the regulations of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), students must have Japanese citizenship or permanent residency in Japan. In order to provide as many doctoral students as possible with the opportunity to conduct research abroad, preference will be given to students who have no (or little) research experience outside Japan.
Required Research Topic	The research topic is expected to bring about innovation in the future nuclear fields and emphasizes the possibility of developing into international joint research.
Required Research Contents	Research activities in the laboratory affiliated with the SANI2024 Host Faculty List Applicants must fill in the first and second choices of intended host supervisors in the application form. Intended length of stay is 4 months from September to December 2024.
Host Universities, Departments, and Laboratories	Laboratories in the following universities that will accept SANI students Dept. of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, University of California Berkeley Dept. of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison Dept. of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, North Carolina State University Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University
Number of Students to be Selected	2 in total
Support Contents	Transportation fees between your campus and the airport, and a round-trip airline E-ticket JPY400,000/month Stipend (Duration of stay must be for more than 3 months and not more than 4 months. If the final month of stay is less than 14 days, the stipend for the month will not be provided. If you stay for more than 15 days in the final month, the stipend of the month will be paid.)
Application Method	Please refer to the SANI2024 Host Faculty List and the partner university's websites to consider which laboratory you wish to be accepted. Please follow the application guidelines and apply online by the deadline. *Please ask your academic supervisor at the home university to write your Recommendation and send it to the NICP Secretariat (nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp) by email. The SANI selection committee will screen the application documents, and then invite applicants for an interview in English. The English interview will be conducted online and will last approximately 10 minutes. Applicants will be asked to briefly introduce themselves, and explain the significance and plans of their study abroad program. Afterward, the committee will ask questions on related topics for about 10 minutes. The NICP office will get into a negotiation with the faculty in charge at the SANI university on whether a selected student can be accepted or not. Please note that students may have an opportunity to have an online interview with their desired host supervisor. When the matching of the applicant and his/her host supervisor is concluded, the applicant’s studying abroad will materialize. The results will be notified to the applicant and his/her academic supervisor at the home university. The host supervisor cannot be changed after the assignment.
Deadline for Application	~~Friday, Noon, March 15, 2024~~ Friday, Noon, March 29, 2024 Extended!
	Application Deadline	Fri, Noon, March 15
	Interview (Zoom）	Mon. 15:00 – 17:00, April 1	* 20 minutes per person * Please understand that applicants may not request to reschedule the interview under any circumstances.
	Notification of Tentative Selection Result	Mon., April 8	* Please note that we won’t be able to answer the inquiries on selection criteria.
	Preparation for Studying Abroad	April - August	[Participating Students] Procedures for studying abroad at the home university and with the host university, obtaining a visa, arranging accommodation, and discussing research details with the host supervisor [NICP Office] Arrangement of round-trip airline E-ticket and payment of the study abroad scholarship
	Studying Abroad	September – December
	Accomplishment Presentation (Zoom）	January 2025
Online Info Session	Tue., 15:00 - 16:00, January 30, 2024		If interested, please sign up on the site below. The footage of the day will be openly available on the web.
Link Information	Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program Office Link for Info Session: https://forms.gle/aKpNK3ifWe1Xfqmf9 Link for Application: https://forms.gle/1rgGZk7C7u9dNwtC9 Email for Enquiry and Recommendation from Applicants’ Academic Supervisor: nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp

SANI2022 Student Presents Joint Research with MIT at SOFE2023

Mr. Toshiro Sakabe, a D3 student of the Energy Conversion Science Department, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, who is a SANI2022 Student sent to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), participated in SOFE2023 (the 30th IEEE Symposium on Fusion Engineering), an international conference on fusion reactor engineering, held from July 9 to 13, 2023, in Oxford, UK. He presented a poster on his joint research with MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC).

Mr. Sakabe at SOFE2023

SOFE2023 Participation Report（Home Page of Advanced Energy Generation Division, Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University）

SANI2022 students posted a blog about their experiences

Two SANI2022 students posted a blog (Japanese only) about their study abroad experiences and research activities there.

Yuki Jimba

Toshiro Sakabe

SANI2022 Result Reporting Meeting

On March 28, 2023, a meeting to report the results of the SANI2022 was held via zoom.

Two SANI2022 students, who are the first participants of this program, gave presentations on their research activities and results at their host laboratories, and on their life during their stay. Both students reported that they have achieved meaningful accomplishments that can lead to their future research development during their short study period of about 4 months from the end of November 2022 to March 2023.

The following is a list of two 2022 SANI students and their presentations.

Mr. Yuki Jiｍba

Home University	Department of Quantum Science and Energy Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
Host University	Professor Fei Ga Dept. of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan
Period of study abroad	Depart from Japan; November 28, 2022, Return to Japan; March 2, 2023
Presentation

Mr. Toshiro Sakabe

Home University	Energy Conversion Science Department, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University
Host University	Professor Dennis Whyte Dept. of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Period of study abroad	Depart from Japan; November 27, 2022, Return to Japan; March 25, 2023
Presentation

Recruitment Guidance for SANI2023 held online

The recruitment guidance for SANI2023 took place on February 17 via zoom.
The presentation material and video footage of the day are available here. *Only in Japanese

Particulars of SANI2023

Schedule	Contents	Date & Time	Notes
Application Requirements	This program is open to full-time students enrolled in a doctoral program at a Japanese university who are conducting research related to nuclear engineering. In accordance with the regulations of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), students must have Japanese citizenship or permanent residency in Japan. In order to provide as many doctoral students as possible with the opportunity to conduct research abroad, preference will be given to students who have no (or little) research experience outside Japan.
Required Research Topic	The research topic is expected to bring about innovation in the future nuclear fields and emphasizes the possibility of developing into international joint research.
Required Research Contents	Research activities in the laboratory affiliated with the SANI2023 Host Faculty List Applicants must fill in the first and second choices of intended host supervisors in the application form. Intended length of stay is 4 months from September to December 2023.
Host Universities, Departments, and Laboratories	Laboratories in the following universities that will accept SANI students Dept. of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, University of California Berkeley Dept. of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison Dept. of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, North Carolina State University Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University
Number of Students to be Selected	2 in total
Support Contents	Transportation fees between your campus and the airport, and a round-trip airline E-ticket JPY400,000/month Stipend (Duration of stay must be for more than 3 months and not more than 4 months. If the final month of stay is less than 14 days, the stipend for the month will not be provided. If you stay for more than 15 days in the final month, the stipend of the month will be paid.)
Application Method	Please refer to the SANI2023-Host Faculty List and the partner university's websites to consider which laboratory you wish to be accepted. Please follow the application guidelines and apply online by the deadline. *Please ask your academic supervisor at the home university to write your Recommendation and send it to the NICP Secretariat (nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp) by email. The SANI selection committee will screen the application documents, and then invite applicants for an interview in English. The English interview will be conducted online and will last approximately 10 minutes. Applicants will be asked to briefly introduce themselves, and explain the significance and plans of their study abroad program. Afterward, the committee will ask questions on related topics for about 10 minutes. The NICP office will get into a negotiation with the faculty in charge at the SANI university on whether a selected student can be accepted or not. Please note that students may have an opportunity to have an online interview with their desired host supervisor. When the matching of the applicant and his/her host supervisor is concluded, the applicant’s studying abroad will materialize. The results will be notified to the applicant and his/her academic supervisor at the home university.
Deadline for Application	Wednesday, Noon, March 15, 2023
	Application Deadline	Wed., Noon, March 15
	Interview (Zoom）	Wed. 13:30 - 15:30, March 29	* 15 – 20 minutes per person * Please understand that applicants may not request to reschedule the interview under any circumstances.
	Notification of Selection Result	Mon., April 3	* Please note that we won’t be able to answer the inquiries on selection criteria.
	Preparation for Studying Abroad	April - August	[Participating Students] Procedures for studying abroad at the home university and with the host university, obtaining a visa, arranging accommodation, and discussing research details with the host supervisor [NICP Secretariat] Arrangement of round-trip airline E-ticket and payment of the study abroad scholarship
	Studying Abroad	September – December
	Accomplishment Presentation (Zoom）	January 2024 [TBA]
Online Info Session	Wed., 15:00 - 16:00, February 17, 2023		If interested, please sign up on the site below. The footage of the day will be openly available on the web.
Link Information	Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program Secretariat Link for Info Session: https://forms.gle/QXjz5W8mhbsjMGkG9 Link for Application: https://forms.gle/gHmWSZyp12JjqKUR6 Email for Enquiry and Recommendation from Applicants’ Academic Supervisor: nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp

Recruitment Briefing for SANI 2022 held online

Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP) Secretariat hosted a recruitment briefing for SANI 2022 via zoom on May 30, 2022.

The presentation material and video footage of the day are available here. *only in Japanese

Particulars of SANI 2022

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) has managed the Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP), and as one of the activities of NICP, we are going to carry out the Studying Abroad for Nuclear Innovation (SANI) in 2022.

In this placement, we offer a prime opportunity to study abroad at world-leading universities that conduct state-of-the-art nuclear research and education in the U.S for post-graduate students in Japan who strive at creating innovation in nuclear fields.

Schedule	Contents	Date & Time	Notes
Application Requirements	Those students who are officially enrolled on a doctoral course in a Japanese university to conduct research in nuclear engineering are eligible for the program. Following the regulations of the Japan Student Services Organization or JASSO, applicants must possess Japanese citizenship or permanent resident status in Japan. For the purpose that as many doctoral students as possible should have the opportunity to conduct research abroad, students who have never (or few) experienced conducting research outside of Japan will take priority to be selected.
Required Research Topic	The research topic is expected to bring about innovation in the future nuclear fields and emphasizes the possibility of developing into international joint research.
Required Research Contents	Research activities in the laboratory affiliated with the SANI2020 Host Faculty List Applicants must negotiate the research contents and obtain acceptance contents from the intended host supervisor before application. Intended length of stay is 4 months from November 2022 to February 2023
Host Universities, Departments and Laboratories	Laboratories in the following universities that will accept SANI students Dept. of Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, University of California Berkeley Dept. of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison Dept. of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, North Carolina State University Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University
Number of Students to be Selected	4 in total
Support Contents	Round trip fare from/to the airport and a round-trip airline E-ticket JPY200,000/month Stipend (Duration of stay must be for more than 3 months and not more than 4 months. If the final month of stay is less than 14 days, the stipend of the month will not be provided. If you stay for more than 15 days in the final month, the stipend of the month will be paid.)
Application Method	Applicant must contact and negotiate his/her acceptance under the scheme of SANI with a desired host supervisor who is listed in the SANI2022 host faculty list. Research with a supervisor who is not on the list is grandfathering. At the negotiation, please introduce your résumé, current research, research achievements, and a research topic that you would like to do, and state that you are considering applying for SANI2022. Also, please note that you must CC the NICP Secretariat when contacting SANI2022 Host Faculty. If not, your application will be invalid. Once obtaining acceptance consent from the desired host supervisor, please upload evidenced email that states agreement on the period of your stay and intended research topic on the prescribed application site. In case you haven‘t heard back from any of them, please let the NICP Secretariat. The subject line in that email you would write on negotiation should be as follows. Re: Request for acceptance to study abroad for research under the SANI program *Example Templates:* I am planning to apply for the program Study Abroad for Nuclear Innovation, SANI, by Tokyo Institute of Technology. If you agree to accept me as a research student, I will apply to SANI for assistance with travel and accommodation expenses. Please apply through the SANI Application online when you have prepared all the necessary materials, including evidenced email of acceptance consent from the intended host supervisor. Please ask your academic supervisor at Home University to write your Recommendation and to send it to the NICP Secretariat (nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp) by email.
Deadline for Application	Wednesday, Noon, July 6 2022
	Application Deadline	Wednesday, Noon, July 6 2022
	Interview (Zoom）	Wednesday, 10:00-12:00, July 13 2022	* 15 – 20 minutes per person * Please understand that applicants may not request to reschedule the interview under any circumstances.
	Notification of Selection Result	Around Friday, July 15 2022	* Please note that we won’t be able to answer the enquiries on selection criteria.
	Preparation for Studying Abroad	July - October 2022	* [Participating Students] Procedures for studying abroad at Home University and with Host University, obtaining a visa, arranging accommodation, and discussing research details with host supervisor * [NICP Secretariat] Arrangement of round-trip airline E-ticket and payment of the study abroad scholarship
	Studying Abroad	November 2022 – February 2023
	Accomplishment Presentation (Zoom）	March 2023
Online Info Session	Monday, 10:00-11:00, May 30 2022		If interested, please sign up on the site below. The footage of the day will be openly available on the web.
Link Information	Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program Secretariat Link for Info Session: https://forms.gle/HoByEf3VmPCKFC2x8 Link for Application: https://www.t2form.titech.ac.jp/sv/569618?lang=ja Email for Enquiry and Recommendation from Applicants’ Academic Supervisor: nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp

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