The cohorts in a snapshot

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 Candidate´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 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.

The IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme supports limited sponsored participation in capacity-building events, such as the WNU Summer Institute. Each year, only a small number of candidates receive IAEA funding (tuition, flights, 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. 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 2025. Please note, inquiries will not be answered before the endorsement process begins, and only final selected candidates will be contacted.

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.

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.