International Programs
The Smalley-Curl Institute strives to foster and strengthen international collaborations. Graduate student research exchange programs provide a valuable means of initiating new joint research projects and of solidifying existing ones. These opportunities also provide students with an invaluable international experience, whether visiting abroad or hosting and mentoring visiting students. SCI fellows lead several international exchange programs, as listed below.
Rice — Toulouse Exchange
Under the supervision of Dr. Junichiro Kono, French students are selected by NanoX in Toulouse to spend six months at Rice in Houston. Rice APP students are chosen by Rice to spend six months at NanoX. Funding is provided by the host in each case. For more information, visit the Applied Physics Program Toulouse page.
TOMODACHI-Dow Women’s STEM Leadership & Research Program
TOMODACHI-Dow Women's STEM Leadership and Research Program offers a five-week internship experience tailored to a diverse cohort of 10 female students majoring in STEM in Japan. The primary goal of this program is to further diminish the gender gap in the STEM fields in Japan while advancing educational equity. During the internship, implemented by and hosted at Rice University in Houston, Texas, participants delve into the intricacies of international collaboration and engagement between the U.S. and Japan. They also receive hands-on exposure to scientific research practices in the U.S. and opportunities for career exploration, English language enrichment, cultural engagement, and collaboration with American students. This program is generously funded by Dow Chemical Japan Limited.
For current information, click HERE. Visitors may also find details and additional information at this archived site of Rice University.
MACHI Program
Together with four top universities in Taiwan, the Rice Smalley-Curl Institute offers a five-week research internship at Rice University in Houston, Texas to female undergraduates in STEM. This program is ideal for students who are interested in learning more about research, increasing their English language proficiency, and gaining international laboratory work experience alongside graduate students, postdocs, and professors. Ten women are admitted each year and are matched with projects and research groups.
Rice — USTC Program
The Rice — USTC Program is a partnership between Rice University and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) resulting from the collaboration between Dr. Junichiro Kono of Rice University and Prof. Wenguang Zhu of USTC. In this program, physics and applied physics undergraduate students from USTC come to Rice University to participate in hands-on research in faculty laboratories, in focus areas related to nanomaterials and nanodevices, quantum materials, optics and photonics, and quantum information science and engineering. Students gain a deep understanding of research during their stay. Rice already has several USTC alumni who are doing well in Ph.D. programs here, and we fully expect some of the undergrad interns to apply for Ph.D. positions at Rice when they complete their undergraduate studies.