Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking of applying?
This section aims to answer questions applicants might have before applying to WNU's Summer Institute, including programme demographics, application materials, and English language requirements.
Is the Summer Institute right for me?
1. Who attends WNU’s SI?
The Summer Institute is an international programme, attracting participants from established and developing nuclear nations alike. The majority of fellows selected to attend the SI have been working in the nuclear sector for +3 years and are identified by their organizations as having the potential to become industry leaders. View SI Alumni demographics here.
2. Is part-time working allowed during the SI?
WNU strongly discourages working (even part-time) during the SI due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum. Weekdays are typically comprised of lectures, presentations and group work from 9:00 to 18:00 and occasional weekend work for group projects is required. For more information on participation, and requirements to earn a course certificate, see our Terms & Conditions.
3. What is the role of the Fellow?
Fellows are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of the programme in order to receive a certificate at graduation upon the completion of the programme. While the educational aspect of the programme is prioritised, the social component of the programme is also important to create lifelong networks that can be beneficial in future career progression. We strongly discourage Fellows from bringing any friends or family for the first three weeks. This period is dedicated to forming and solidifying those lifelong relationships with peers, mentors and speakers.
This programme will test your limits and push your comfort zones in many ways. Please come with an open mind and an understanding that at times you will need to adapt to demanding circumstances and develop resilience in the face of many different types of challenges.
4. How long are the days at the SI?
Our days at the SI typically start at around 08:30/09:00 and end at 17:30/18:00, depending on the culture of our host country. Social activities, both WNU organized and more informal, can last late into the evening. Please note that during the week of technical tours there will be several long journeys completed by bus or/and train, which extends the duration of the day.
5. Is there preparatory work to complete before the start of the SI?
It is expected that the Fellows complete a mandatory 10 hours’ worth of IAEA modules. The WNU also offers a
2-hour Nuclear English course for those wanting to become more proficient leading up to the SI.
Entry Requirements
1. What materials are required for the application?
In addition to personal, academic, and professional information, the Summer Institute application requires fellows to upload the following documents in English. If documents are not in English, please provide a brief translation.
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A 300-word description of professional responsibilities
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A 300-word statement of motivation and goals for participation
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2 signed reference letters in English
(One letter should be from your supervisor and one can be an academic or professional referee) -
Evidence of English language proficiency (where applicable)
2. What are the English language requirements?
English is the official course language for the Summer Institute. Applicants who are not fluent in English must provide evidence of English language proficiency in the form of a recent certificate from a reputable organization.
Submitting an application
This section aims to answer questions about submitting an application, including application process, tuition and fees, visa information, and acceptance notification.
Application Process
1. What is the application deadline?
IAEA-funded applications must be submitted by 31 January 2023. Company-funded applications must be submitted by 28 February 2023. Please subscribe here to keep informed about future programmes.
2. Is there an application fee?
There is no fee to apply to the Summer Institute. Please refer to WNU's T&Cs for an overview of the SI's fees and financial obligations.
3. How and when will I be notified if I am accepted?
You will be notified as to the success of your application two weeks after the respective deadlines. For company funded applicants, WNU will email candidates directly about the status of their application. Applicants applying for IAEA funding will receive notification of pre-acceptance by WNU if their application has been successful. They must then apply directly to the IAEA for funding. See IAEA Funding for more detailed steps in the TC funding application process.
4. Once accepted, when do I receive further information about the programme?
A month before the programme, Fellows will receive an email with the link and password to a dedicated course website with detailed information about the agenda, preparatory work, travel and packing guidance, and other logistical information. Due to the amount of programme information provided, it will not be sent directly to Fellows by email.
Tuition & Fees
1. What are the different tuition types?
The three primary tuition types for the Summer Institute are:
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WNA Member Company Funded: This tuition type is for applicants from World Nuclear Association member companies. WNA members get a discount on programme tuition.
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Non-WNA Member Company Funded: This tuition type is for all applicants applying from non-WNA member companies or organizations.
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IAEA TC Funded: The IAEA offers full tuition funding for select applicants through the Technical Cooperation (TC) program. See IAEA Funding for information about eligibility and how to apply.
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WANO Funded: More information coming soon.
2. When must tuition fees be paid?
Tuition fees are due within 30 days of invoice receipt. Following acceptance notification, invoices will be sent to Fellows by email. For IAEA-funded applicants, the IAEA pays WNU directly.
3. What is included in the cost of tuition?
Tuition fees include accommodation, meals, transport during the technical tours, and educational resources. Fellows are also provided with a per diem (see below) spending allowance for weekend expenses like food and entertainment. Tuition fees do not include travel to and from the SI host country, travel insurance, and personal outing or excursion costs taken while at the SI.
4. What is a per diem?
'Per Diem refers to a stipend (fixed sum) WNU provides to SI Fellows to cover their meals not directly provided by WNU and other necessities. This includes dinners most weekdays, meals on weekends, laundry needs, etc. The exact amount of the per diem fluctuates based on SI host country currency and the average cost per meal. An additional amount is added to this total to account for additional necessities and incidentals.
WNU does not provide a daily spending allowance or financial advice, thus budgeting for per diem spending for the duration of the five weeks is at the discretion of the individual. WNU cannot offer any additional funds, should Fellows max out their cash cards (see below) before the end of the programme.
WNU is committed to ensuring that Fellows have enough funds to comfortably and safely enjoy the local cultural experiences and cuisine, however, the per diem is not designed to cover excessive drinking and fine dining, or personal travel or shopping expenses. Some companies and organizations also provide their Fellows with an additional per diem, which is allowed.
5. How will the per diem be provided?
Upon check-in at the hotel, Fellows will be provided with a cash card with a lump sum deposit. Information about the cash card including the full per diem amount will be provided in the Welcome Pack. Fellows are not required to provide supporting receipts for their purchases.
6. What are the tuition payment options?
Bank or wire transfers are the preferred method of tuition payment. WNU bank transfer instructions are included in the invoice email sent to accepted Fellows. Credit and debit card payments are also accepted upon personal request. Cash and checks are not acceptable forms of tuition payment.
Visa Requirements and Travel
1. Are Visas required to attend the SI?
Visa requirements are based on an individual's country of origin and SI host country requirements. WNU strongly encourages applicants to contact their local embassy for specific on their Visa needs well in advance of the SI to ensure that the proper documentation can be obtained in a timely manner.
2. What if a Visa is refused or cannot be obtained in time?
WNU is not responsible for obtaining Visas for Fellows or liable for tuition refunds should an applicant not be able to secure a Visa in time. Please refer to the financial T&Cs for more information about tuition refunds.
3. Can WNU provide a Visa letter?
Yes, WNU will provide Visa letters for accepted Fellows. Please allow for an adequate amount of time for WNU to obtain and deliver the letter. Timeframes may be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PDF copies of Visa letters can be sent by email. Physical copies can be sent by mail, courier, or collected at the WNU coordinating centre.
4. Can I leave the host country on the weekends?
Most weekends at the SI do not have formal programming, although WNU occasionally offers evening social events on weekends for those who wish to participate. Fellows are encouraged to arrange independent, local travel excursions.
Local travel not arranged by WNU is taken at Fellows' expense. While overnight weekend trips are allowed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel outside the host country on weekends is not permitted, except in emergency, medical or other unforeseen circumstances.
Preparing for the Summer Institute
This section aims to answer questions about Summer Institute accommodation, logistics, and travel needs
Accommodation
1. What is accommodation like?
For the majority of the programme, accommodation will be a single occupancy en suite at 3 to 4-star hotels. The specific amenities included will vary by the host country and city location. For the technical tour week, Fellows may be required to share rooms given the limited availability of hotel accommodation in some remote areas.
2. Where will I be staying in Osaka, Japan?
We will be staying at the Hilton Osaka in Osaka, Japan for four weeks of the programme.
Hotels for the week of technical tour TBD.
Important Information
1. Access to facilities during the Technical Tour
Please note that due to local norms those holding a passport from the following countries will be prevented from accessing Technical Tour facilities: Afghanistan, Iraq, the State of Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Central Africa, Libya, Lebanon, North Korea and South Sudan.
Visitors from Russia and Ukraine must be individually vetted by the Nuclear Security Group in advance.
2. What vaccinations do I need for Japan?
COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued abroad must fulfil all the three requirements:
1. Vaccine certificate either in Japanese or English, and must include: Name, date of birth, product name or manufacturer of vaccines, vaccination date and number of COVID-19 vaccine doses.
COVID-19 vaccination certificates written in languages other than Japanese or English are considered as valid if the translation (Japanese/English) is attached and all the items are clearly identifiable.
2. The certificate should prove that at least two doses of any of the COVID-19 vaccines described in table a. or at least three doses of any of the COVID-19 vaccines described in the table b.
3. The certificate should be issued by an official body, such as a government
Note: Mix-and-match vaccines are also considered as valid.
For more information, please click here.
3. Where can I find more information about Japan's COVID-19 entry requirements ?
Quarantine measures
All travelers and returnees who have stayed in China (except Hong Kong and Macau) within 7 days prior to the entry are required to take on-arrival test at the quarantine station. In addition, all travellers and returnees coming from China (including Macau, except Hong Kong) by direct flights are required to submit a certificate of negative result of pre-departure COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.
Please note that entry requirements may be different for every country. Please refer to your government website to check your entry requirements prior to your departure for Japan.
4. What COVID restrictions are in place in Japan?
Take basic precautionary measures (wearing a mask, washing hands, avoiding Three Cs) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Three Cs: close contact settings, closed spaces, crowded places.
Click here for more information.
Further information on masking rules in Japan, click here.
Click here for information on COVID cases in Osaka, Japan.
5. What else should I take into consideration when travelling to Japan?
Malaria is not normally present unless the illness was contracted abroad.If you think you require vaccines and/or malaria risk assessment, you should make an appointment with a travel health professional
Please also research, food and water safety, avoiding and preventing insect bites and respiratory hygiene.
