An immersive programme for future leaders in the nuclear industry.

Overview

The Summer Institute is World Nuclear University’s flagship, five-week leadership and professional development programme for high-potential nuclear professionals in all areas of the nuclear energy industry. It is designed to build leaders who can think systemically, communicate with credibility, and deliver in safety-critical environments, while forming a global peer network that lasts long after the programme concludes.

Who is it for?

High potential talent with at least four years of professional experience in the nuclear industry

Duration

5 weeks

Location

International

Tuition Types

WNA member company, Non-member company, IAEA TC sponsorship, WANO sponsorship

Funding Support

IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme Funding scheme, WANO scholarship (internal process)

Objectives

Through a mix of taught lectures, mentored group work, industry-focused projects, and technical site visits, the programme will equip you with the necessary skills and tools to:

Connect concepts across disciplines and fields that are not obviously related and understand ideas that are counterintuitive
Recognize ambiguity and develop a healthy scepticism
Address misperceptions, preconceptions, and misconceptions by creating new knowledge
Compare multiple perspectives by identifying diverse dimensions, technical viability, social justice, welfare, environmental responsibility, and business realities
Communicate diverse ideas and topics clearly and concisely to varied audiences

Programme Structure

The Summer Institute develops leadership capability through an integrated blend of industry insight, structured self-development, mentored practice, and real-world application. Fellows learn from senior experts, work in mentored cross-cultural working groups, and repeatedly practise the behaviours required of modern nuclear leaders: influencing with clarity, collaborating across disciplines, and making sound decisions under uncertainty.While the precise daily agenda changes each year to reflect industry trends and priorities, the programme consistently includes the following elements:

Expert-led seminars and discussions on core nuclear topics (e.g. safety, security and safeguards; the fuel cycle; policy, governance, economics, regulation, and supply chain) and on cross-cutting leadership themes e.g. self-awareness, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, team leadership, innovation, and communication).
Experiential learning activities (ELAs) designed to practise leadership behaviours, communication, teamwork, and decision-making in a safe setting.
Mentored working groups that bring together Fellows from different functions, organisations, and countries to work through complex problems and learn to collaborate effectively.
Technical site visits to connect classroom learning with real operations and organisational realities.
A structured networking and programme that intentionally builds a diverse, trusted cohort and lifelong relationships and community.
Innovative Leadership Project (ILP) is a team-based, real-world leadership challenge where Fellows collaborate in diverse groups to tackle a complex nuclear industry issue and present a strategic proposal to a senior review panel.

How Leadership Development Happens

Rather than relying on lectures alone, the programme uses a learn–apply–reflect cycle so Fellows leave with both insight and changed habits:

Self-insight and direction: Fellows complete guided reflection activities to clarify purpose, motivations, and values, and translate these into clear aspirations and development priorities.
Capability building: Fellows build leadership competencies such as systemic and strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and communication, innovation and adaptability, and operational excellence through structured practice and feedback.
Application under pressure: Fellows apply learning to an industry-relevant team challenge, producing a concise strategic proposal and pitching it to a senior review panel with live Q&A.
Feedback and coaching: Development is supported through mentor 1:1s, peer feedback, and structured self-review throughout the programme.

Technical Breadth and Systems Perspective

For technically focused Fellows, the Summer Institute provides structured exposure across the nuclear value chain and the external conditions that shape it. The aim is not to replace specialist training, but to build a shared technical language and an understanding of interdependencies, so future leaders can ask better questions and make better decisions.

This includes exposure to:

Operating and maintaining nuclear facilities: Safety culture, human performance, operational excellence, and radiation protection.
Fuel cycle and materials: Front-end markets, conversion, enrichment, advanced fuels, and back-end management of used fuel and waste.
Regulation, law, and governance: Licensing pathways, environmental protection, liability, safeguards, and export controls.
Security and non-proliferation: Security culture, non-proliferation norms, and emerging technology trends and risks.
Economics, finance, and delivery: Project structuring, risk management, supply chain resilience, procurement, and transport.
Technology and deployment contexts: Existing fleet and life extension, new build, SMRs/advanced reactors, and integration into wider energy systems.

Key Outcomes

By the end of the programme, Fellows return to their organisations with:

A personalised Leadership Roadmap, setting out immediate development priorities and longer-term career goals.
Demonstrably improved communication, including clearer messaging, stronger executive presence, and greater confidence engaging stakeholders across cultures and disciplines.
Experience leading and delivering in diverse teams, with practical tools for collaboration, feedback, and building high-performing teams.
An expanded understanding of the nuclear industry, including how technical, regulatory, geopolitical, and societal factors interact and what this means for leadership decisions.
A global peer and mentor network that supports ongoing learning and collaboration.
Strengthened leadership and collaboration skills, enhanced capacity to think strategically and systemically, and a broader understanding of global nuclear energy challenges and opportunities.

Why Organisations Sponsor Fellows

Organisations sponsor Fellows to accelerate the development of their emerging leaders. The programme provides intensive, high-quality leadership practice that is difficult to replicate in the workplace, alongside exposure to diverse international perspectives and senior industry leaders. Fellows return with a concrete development plan and refreshed motivation, as well as a stronger ability to influence, collaborate, and deliver results in complex, safety-critical settings.

FAQs

The Summer Institute offers a unique international leadership development programme for talented professionals across the nuclear sector. Fellows are typically recognized by their organizations as high-potential leaders and have at least four years’ professional experience in the nuclear industry (or five years in a comparable sector).

Applicants should:

Be proficient in English (this is an English-led programme)
Hold a completed undergraduate degree
Have at least four years of professional, industry experience (excluding internships and apprenticeships)
Secure managerial and financial approval prior to applying, as the programme is highly competitive

If you are a professional seeking to enhance your leadership, communication, innovation, and systemic thinking skills, visit the Candidate´s profile page to see if this programme is right for you. We especially encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.

English proficiency is essential for effective communication and participation in the programme. If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide either an English language certificate or equivalent evidence of consistent use of English in your workplace. This requirement ensures that all Fellows can fully engage with the course content and collaborate seamlessly with peers and experts.

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the programme. All applications undergo a thorough review process, with notifications regarding acceptance status sent approximately three weeks after applications are closed.

Ongoing work commitments during the Summer Institute, even on a part-time basis, are strongly discouraged due to the demanding nature of the curriculum. We encourage you and your organization to view the programme as a full-time commitment for its duration.

Your full engagement and participation is required every weekday for seminars, group work, preparation sessions and more. Additionally, Fellows are encouraged to use after-hours and weekends to network with their peers, Mentors, and the programme’s speakers to enhance their overall experience and expand their industry connections.

Applying is free of charge. Tuition fees are payable upon notification of acceptance. For detailed financial obligations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Please note that World Nuclear University does not provide direct funding for programme participation as we operate on a cost recovery model. Visit our About us section to learn more about how we are structured. However, participants can be funded through various avenues, including directly through employers, or through the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme (available for IAEA member state countries only) or WANO (internal process). Some applicants may be self-funded.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for eligible applicants from select IAEA Member States through the Technical Cooperation Programme, which supports the transfer of nuclear knowledge and skills.

Each year, only a small number of candidates receive IAEA funding (for tuition, flights and travel insurance) based on alignment with IAEA Member States’ priorities and available funds. WNU will pre-select candidates, then forward a shortlist to the IAEA for review.

To be considered for funding:

Apply to your desired WNU programme through the official WNU application page.
If preselected, you will be notified by the IAEA and invited to apply for TC funding through their official channels.
Further details will be provided to those officially endorsed.

Only candidates endorsed and nominated by their competent authorities are eligible for financial support. Final selected candidates will be contacted directly by the IAEA starting in the second half of January. Please note, inquiries will not be answered before the endorsement process begins, and only final selected candidates will be contacted.

We understand the importance of family and know it can be complicated to leave your loved ones behind for five weeks, especially for primary caregivers. Due to the demands of the programme, however, we strongly encourage you to view this as a time to work on your development away from the complications of daily life.

We strongly advise participants against bringing guests especially during the first three weeks to allow full immersion. Should you have any guests joining, World Nuclear University does not assume responsibility for covering their expenses or allow guests accompanying you to join any programme activity; nor do we facilitate visa invitation letters or provide any other logistical support.

This programme is tailored for mid-career professionals aspiring to assume or already in leadership roles within the industry. If you are currently an undergraduate or have recently started your professional experience, we recommend that you apply for the programme once you have acquired the necessary qualifications and experience.

At the Summer Institute, we welcome applicants of all ages, as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria (e.g. years of experience in the nuclear industry). For further details, please visit our candidate profile page.

A Note on Programme Detail and Intellectual Property

World Nuclear University publishes high-level information about the Summer Institute but does not share the full daily agenda. This is deliberate: the leadership development impact depends on the learning activities, coaching design, and project mechanics, which are continually refined each year.

For sponsorship, hosting, and speaking opportunities, please use the contact form on the World Nuclear University website.