Program Overview

Introduction to the TU-UW Student Exchange Program

The TU-UW Academic Open Space (AOS) is a collaborative program between Tohoku University (TU) and the University of Washington (UW) aimed at promoting education and research. This program is part of the universities' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, focusing on student exchange between the two institutions.

Program Overview

The program seeks to provide knowledge and experiences that contribute to DEI-related research. It is open to graduate students in the humanities and social sciences, as well as natural sciences, who are interested in conducting research in Washington state, USA.

Program Details

• Duration and Location: The program involves a 3-day, 5-night stay in Seattle, Washington.
• Program Structure: Participants in the humanities and social sciences can freely plan their program, including data collection, fieldwork, exchanges with UW researchers, and participation in symposia, seminars, and research meetings. Natural science participants can propose their program, including exchanges with female UW researchers, visits to scientific and technological fields, and participation in symposia, seminars, and research meetings.
• Additional Opportunities: AOS-related personnel may also propose specific programs or exchanges with UW researchers, which participants are encouraged to join.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Humanities and Social Sciences:
  • Be a graduate student in the humanities at Tohoku University (or an undergraduate expecting to advance to graduate school the following year).
  • Have a research theme related to DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), such as gender, sexuality, diversity, and multiculturalism, with potential for research outcomes through data collection, fieldwork, or exchanges with researchers in the local area.
  • Be able to present DEI-related research findings in English and Japanese after the program.
• Natural Sciences:
  • Be a female graduate student in the natural sciences at Tohoku University (or an undergraduate expecting to advance to graduate school the following year).
  • Have a research theme that is not specifically defined but should lead to an understanding of gender innovation in the scientific field through exchanges with female UW researchers.
  • Be able to present DEI-related research findings in English and Japanese after the program.

Selection and Application

• Number of Participants: One participant will be selected for each field.
• Application Documents and Deadline: The latest information on application documents and deadlines can be found on the DEI Promotion Center's web page. The application deadline is September 19, 2025.
• Notification of Results: Results are expected to be notified by the end of October 2025.
• Program Implementation: The exchange program is scheduled to take place from January to March 2026.