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

Application Guidelines

2026TU-UW AOS Student Exchange Program focusing on DEI (only for natural sciences majors)　ー（日本語／English）

[Purpose and Objectives]

[Eligibility]

• Female graduate students in natural science fields enrolled at Tohoku University.
  (4th-year undergraduate students who are admitted to graduate school for the next academic year are also eligible to apply.)
• Any research theme is acceptable, but applicants must engage with a female researcher at UW as a mentor (limited to faculty members at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus), deepen their understanding of the future role and success of women in science, and be expected to produce outcomes leading to Gendered Innovations.
• Applicants who can present DEI-related research outcomes in both English and Japanese after completing the program.
  • Applicants who can participate in the exchange program with UW if held at Tohoku University in the next academic year (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 interactions with female researchers affiliated with the Seattle campus of the University of Washington, site visits to science and technology facilities at UW, 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]

(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)

https://forms.gle/RFMdPNjwY8j2aAYy7

[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]

• 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.

[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]

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

• 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