The Smalley-Curl Institute partners with the University of Tokyo in an undergraduate exchange program of research internship and cultural exchange. This program is made possible in part by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries company and includes field trips for the Rice students to interesting plants and innovation centers in Yokohama. University of Tokyo students will visit Space Center Houston and other points of interest.
Because the US and Japanese academic years are offset, Rice students go to Tokyo June 1 through July 31, and University of Tokyo students come to Rice August 1 through September 30. This gives the students from each university the opportunity to get to know each other in person, which would not otherwise be possible.
This program is underway currently for the summer of 2026. Applications for the 2027 program will open late in the Fall Semester of 2026.