TU-UW AOS Student Exchange Program focusing on DEI (only for humanities/social science majors)(Deadline: 2026/10/5, 17:00JST)

Application Guidelines

2026 TU-UW AOS Student Exchange Program focusing on DEI (only for humanities/social science majors)—(日本語English

[Purpose and Objectives]

The TU-UW Academic Open Space (AOS) is a joint framework between Tohoku University (TU) and the University of Washington (UW) in the United States to promote education and research ( https://uw-tu-aos.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/ja/ ). Since concluding the agreement in 2017, both universities have conducted research cooperation and student exchange programs in fields such as materials science, aerospace and robotics, disaster science, and nursing. Starting in 2022, Phase 2 of TU-UW AOS was launched, expanding collaboration into joint research and student exchange programs related to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Therefore, we are accepting applications for graduate students in the humanities and social sciences to participate in the dispatch program under the following guidelines.

[Eligibility]

Applicants must satisfy all of the following criteria:

  • Graduate students in humanities and social sciences enrolled at Tohoku University, regardless of major, gender, or nationality
    • 4th-year undergraduate students who are admitted to graduate school for the next academic year are also eligible to apply.
  • The research theme must be related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), such as gender, sexuality, diversity, or multiculturalism, and the applicant’s research is expected to yield outcomes through local data collection, fieldwork, interaction with researchers, etc.
  • Applicants who can present DEI-related research outcomes in both English and Japanese after completing the program.
    • Since an exchange program with UW is scheduled at Tohoku University in the next academic year, applicants who can participate in the event are preferred (it is desirable to maintain student status as a graduate student at Tohoku University in the next academic year).

[Program Details]

  • Dispatch / Stay Period: From February 2027 to around March 2027 [3 nights, 5 days itinerary]
    • [For those requiring a U.S. Entry Visa] Visa issuance may take approximately 2 to 3 months. Please coordinate your travel schedule with sufficient time in advance. Upon selection, please coordinate immediately with the Global Strategy Office at Tohoku University to initiate procedures.
  • Location: University of Washington (Seattle, Washington, USA)
    • Please note that there are several universities and campuses with similar names; this program involves dispatch specifically to the Seattle campus of the University of Washington.
  • Program Content: The program during the stay will be planned by the selected applicant themselves.
    • The program is expected to include data collection required for research, fieldwork, interactions with researchers affiliated with the Seattle campus of the University of Washington, and participation in symposia, seminars, and research meetings at UW.
    • Selected applicants can receive support from AOS personnel and the DEI Center in coordinating with UW to realize their proposed program.
    • In addition, AOS personnel may suggest specific programs or opportunities to interact with UW researchers, and participants are encouraged to attend whenever possible.

[Number of Selected Applicants]

  • 1 student

[Financial Support]

  • Travel expenses compliant with university regulations (travel costs, local accommodation, and daily allowances).
    • Expenses for meals during the stay, local transportation, personal spending, etc., must be borne by the selected applicant.
    • Note: Accommodation expenses and various allowances are eligible for coverage only for the duration of participation in the program at the University of Washington. If other duties or personal trips are added before or after the program, travel expenses related to those additional duties must be borne by the selected applicant.

[Application Procedure]

Please apply via the Google Form specified below. The application requires both (1) Direct Text Input in the Form and (2) Document Uploads in PDF Format.

(1) Direct Input Items in Google Form (Main Response Items)

  • Basic Applicant Information (Name, Personal Contact, Department, Academic Status, etc.)
  • Expected Outcomes After the Program (Academic outcomes, personal growth, contribution to DEI/STEM leadership, etc.)
  • English Proficiency Level
    *Please enter your English test scores (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, etc.). If you do not have official scores, please describe your English communication level (e.g., “Able to participate in research discussions or classes in English without difficulty”).
  • Academic Advisor Information (Name, Title/Position, Department)

(2) Documents to be Prepared and Uploaded in PDF Format

  1. English Resume / CV
    *Please submit an English Resume or CV (standard Japanese resumes will NOT be accepted, as this document will be shared with hosting UW faculty members). Include educational and work history.
  2. Research Theme and Research Summary (approx. 500–600 words in English; Japanese translation may be attached)
    *Please include proposed candidate UW faculty member(s) with whom you wish to interact as a mentor (formal agreement is not required at the time of application; multiple candidates may be listed).
  3. Proposed Schedule and Plan in Seattle
    *Please fill in the provided Word template and upload it in PDF format. Outline a rough itinerary and activity plan (e.g., scheduled visits, research discussion topics).
  4. One Recommendation Letter from Academic Advisor (Japanese acceptable)
  5. Copy of Student ID Card (Front side)

(Submit via Google Form using the link below:)

https://forms.gle/ghChbXBAro44549T8

[Important Notes / Precautions]

  • Applicants must obtain approval from their academic advisor before applying.
  • If there are multiple applicants from the same laboratory, the supervising professor must specify their order of recommendation in the recommendation section.
  • Submitted application documents will not be returned in principle.
  • During the screening process or after selection, applicants may be requested to prepare and submit additional documents if necessary.
  • If significant changes occur in the application content after selection, the adoption may be cancelled.
  • Applications are limited to one per person.

[Selection Process & Application Deadline]

Selection will primarily be made based on document screening, but an interview screening (including a short presentation in English and Q&A) may also be conducted.

  • Application Deadline: October 5, 2026 (Mon), 17:00 JST [Strict Deadline]
  • Notification of Results: Late October 2026 (tentative)

[Obligations of Selected Applicants]

  • Promptly contact the Global Strategy Office at Tohoku University once the travel itinerary is confirmed after selection.
  • After returning from the dispatch:
    • Submit a report (free format, approx. 1 page A4) to the Global Strategy Office at Tohoku University within 1 week.
    • Contribute an article to the DEI Center newsletter.
    • Report the outcomes of program participation at a designated reporting session (e.g., TU-UW AOS Workshop) in both English and Japanese.
  • Consent to having the details of this program, information on selected applicants, and content of the reporting session published on the websites of TU, UW, and the DEI Center at Tohoku University.
  • Participate in events with UW in the next academic year whenever possible.

[Other Information]

  • If there are any changes to the application contents or if participation is cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances or transfer out of Tohoku University after selection, please contact the inquiry point below immediately.

[Contact Information]

<Regarding Applications>

Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Tohoku University

Dispatch Program Coordinator

  • Email: dei-center*grp.tohoku.ac.jp
  • Subject: TU-UW AOS DEI関連学生交換プログラム(文系大学院生限定)応募(Applicant’s Name)

<Regarding Travel Procedures>

Global Strategy Office at Tohoku University

  • Email: kokusai-r*grp.tohoku.ac.jp
  • Subject: TU-UW AOS DEI関連学生交換プログラム(Applicant’s Name)問い合わせ


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