Application requirements
The Summer Institute is a full-time, immersive professional development programme that requires Fellows to be engaged and committed even before the start date of the programme with preparatory work.
The curricula is designed to develop key leadership and communications capabilities, further holistic industry knowledge, and develop innovative and systemic thinking. Growth in these areas is assessed throughout the programme in several ways.
To be awarded an official certificate of successful completion of the programme, the Fellows are required:
- Minimum of 95% attendance throughout the core programme hours: Attendance, punctuality and engagement will be tracked.
- Ongoing self-review: Fellows will be asked to undergo several self-review and reflection processes to assess their own development journey.
- Ongoing peer review: Fellows will be asked to provide constructive feedback to their peers to support their development.
- Mentor assessment: Mentors will be asked to provide feedback, guidance, and reflection spaces to support the Fellows' development. Mentors will also be ensuring engagement and understanding of the subject matter.
- Third-party assessment: The WNU Team and speakers can provide feedback, guidance, and reflection spaces to support the Fellows development.
The official language for all programme elements is English; even for networking and social aspects. Oral, written and spoken proficiency is required. We encourage non-native English speakers to trust their capabilities and start practicing their language skills once accepted.
This programme will test your limits and push you out of your comfort zone in many different ways. Those who get most out of the experience come with an open mind and an understanding that this is a chance to practice adaptation and resilience in a safe environment.
Topics overview
Every year the programme contents and speakers are carefully curated to ensure we provide the Fellows with relevant information and tools, represent multiple industry actors and perspectives and ensure alignment with the industry needs for leadership skills development.
- Core topics: Leadership, innovation, communications, industry knowledge
- Cross-cutting topics: Systemic, strategic and critical thinking, problem solving, emotional intelligence, management, team development
- Seminar topics: Safety, Security, Safeguards, Non-Proliferation, Radiological Protection, Fuel Cycle (front and back end), Environmental Protection, Regulatory Frameworks, Nuclear Development, Supply Chain, Long Term Operation, Decommissioning, Law, Economics, Finance, Policy, ESG, and more...
Previous Speakers
Our mentors speakers are prominent industry and thought-leaders. They share their knowledge, experiences and lessons leaned to empower the next generation of nuclear leaders Summer Institute menotors and speakers and not just experts but also passionate leaders who advocate for the industry's future.
FAQs
The Summer Institute offers a unique international leadership development opportunity for talented professionals from diverse nuclear backgrounds. Selected Fellows will have at least four years’ professional experience in the nuclear industry (or five in a comparable industry) and will be recognized by their organizations as high-potential industry leaders.
If you are a professional looking to develop your skills in leadership, communication, innovation and systemic thinking, visit the Fellow´s profile or read about the journeys of some of our Alumni to learn if this is the right programme for you. We actively encourage individuals from disempowered groups to apply.
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.
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 Operational Model 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.
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.
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.
SUMMER INSTITUTE 2025 FAQs
Tuition Fee and Per Diem Information
Tuition fees are due within 21 days of invoice receipt. Following acceptance notification, invoices will be sent to Fellows by email. For IAEA-funded applicants, your invoice will be sent directly to the agency.
Tuition fees include accommodation, meals, transport during the technical tours, educational resources and a Per Diem. 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.
Per Diem refers to a stipend (fixed sum) WNU provided to the 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 total amount of the Per Diem is calculated based on the host country's average cost of living while also considering the natural expenses the Fellows will incur.
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 alcohol consumption 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.
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 before the end of the programme.
Visa & Passport Information
Visa requirements are based on an individual's country of origin and Summer Institute host country requirements. WNU strongly encourages applicants to contact their local embassy for specifics on their visa needs upon confirmation of acceptance onto the programme to ensure that the proper documentation can be obtained in a timely manner.
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.
It is very important to have a valid passport when attending the Summer Institute. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the host country. This is a requirement not only for the host country (Visa applications) but also for the technical facilities.
Flight and Insurance Information
Tuition fees do not include travel to and from the Summer Institute host country, travel insurance, and personal outing or excursion costs taken while at the Summer Institute. All travel expenses to and from the Summer Institute (including airport transfers) must be covered by the individual. Travel during the Summer Institute (to networking events and technical facilities) will be covered by the tuition fee.
It is mandatory to have a travel insurance policy in place to cover you from the start to the end of the Summer Institute. This will protect you and your belongings from any unforeseen circumstances when travelling internationally. WNU is not liable for any losses or damages occurred during or on route to/from the Summer Institute. We also strongly advise you have a health insurance policy in place during your time at the Summer Institute, for extra protection when abroad.
Please note that health insurance and travel insurance cover different areas so we encourage you to have both.
Please also note that IAEA sponsored applicants will have specific requirements that will be communicated from the IAEA directly.