Program Cost and Schedule

Tentative Program Schedule - 2010

Early Novemeber , 2009		NanoJapan Online Application Opens
January 31, 2010		Online Application Deadline
February 5, 2010		Recommendation Letter Deadline
By Late February		Notification of Finalists
Early March, 2010		Finalist Interviews
Mid-March		Notification of Final Participants
May 14, 2010		Pre-departure orientation at Rice University and students depart Houston for Japan
May 15, 2010		International Group Flight departs Houston for Tokyo, Japan
May 16, 2010		Arrival in Japan, Hotel Check-in and On-Site Orientation
May 17 - June 5, 2010		Language & Culture Orientation Program in Tokyo, Japan
June 6, 2010		Students Travel to Research Host Institutions
June 7 - July 8, 2010		Research Internship
July 9 - 11, 2010		Mid-Program Meeting in Kyoto with IORI Origin Arts Workshop
July 12 - August 2, 2010		Research Internship
August 3, 2010		Students Return to Tokyo for OPI Assessment
August 4, 2010		International Group Flight departs Tokyo for Houston
August 5, 2010		Re-Entry Program at Rice University
August 6, 2010		Rice Quantum Institute Summer Research Colloquium

Program Cost
Up to sixteen students from universities around the nation will be selected to participate in the NanoJapan program. In lieu of a program fee particpants will be required to enroll in the Rice Summer School for at least 1 but no more than 2 academic research credits and pay applicable tuition and application fees (if required). More information on enrollment in the Rice Summer School will be provided to selected participants in April.

Due to NSF-PIRE funding selected students will also receive a stipend of up to $3,500 that can be used towards their summer school tuition, lodging, meals, and other required expenses during their International Research Experience. The stipend amount may vary based on actual costs at the research internship site to ensure that all students receive a stipend sufficient to cover their housing and basic living expenses.

Costs covered by the NanoJapan program include:

• International airfare on the pre-arranged group international flight to/from Japan from Houston
• Lodging and daily breakfast at Sanuki Club hotel in Tokyo during the three-week orientation;
• Instructor and course costs related to the Introduction to Nanotechnology, Introduction to Japanese Culture and intensive Japanese language classes during three-week orientation;
• Lodging in Kyoto, Japan for the Mid-Program Meeting;
• Origin Japanese Traditional Arts workshop during Mid-Program Meeting;
• Lodging in Houston, if needed, and program activities for the Pre-Departure Orientation and the Re-entry Program and RQI Symposium.

The stipend may not be sufficient to fully cover all necessary expenses during the internship but will cover basic living costs (i.e. lodging & daily transportation to your lab). Stipend funds cannot be used for non-essential activities such as independent sightseeing or travel while in Japan. They must go towards your basic living expenses during the research internship period. Students may use their NanoJapan stipend toward costs indicated below in green.

Costs not indicated in green are items students must pay for individually. Past participants have indicated that students should budget anywhere from $500 - $1,500 for personal spending money in Japan, though exact estimates will vary based on internship location and personal spending habits.

• Required enrollment for 1 - 2 credits in Rice Summer School (tuition & any applicable application fee);
• Domestic travel to/from Houston;
• Passport application/renewal fees;
• Any required visa application fees;
• Immunizations;
• CISI Overseas Health Insurance Policy (~$95);
• Required Books;
• Japanese cell phone rental & pre-paid phone minutes;
• Daily transportation during Orientation for program activities (Tokyo Metro);
• Meals not included in research internship lodging or as part of program schedule during the Orientation & Mid-Program Meeting;
• Some costs relating to cultural excursions, outings, and tours during the orientation period;
• Travel to/from the Research Host Institution and Tokyo;
• Travel to/from Kyoto for the Mid-Program Meeting;
• Lodging, meal, and daily transportation costs during the Research Internship;
• Cost of any additional Japanese language classes or tutoring taken during the Research Internship;
• Cost of any independent sightseeing or travel while in Japan, gifts, and other personal expenses.