Application Guidelines of the Fellowship Program
for Young Female Researchers in Asia-Pacific Countries
(“Athena Program”)
1．Purpose
This program is intended to support the career development of young and mid-career female researchers in the Asia-Pacific region by providing opportunities to conduct collaborative research at Japan's cutting-edge research facilities and environments, and to foster the seeds of long-term collaboration.
2．Eligibility
（１）Eligibility of Applicants
KEK Staff Member (Host Researcher)
（２）Eligibility of Invited-Fellow Candidate
Young or mid-career female researchers including graduate students in Asia-Pacific countries
（３）Duration and Fellowship Period
Duration of Fellowship: Within approximately 28days
Termination for research activity in Japan: March 31, 2026
（４）The number of Fellowship Awarded
3 fellows
（５）Follow-up Survey
Athena Program is supported by International and Inter-Institution Network for Accelerator Science to Next Generation (IINAS-NX) operated by KEK. To evaluate the results of the IINASNX program, IINAS-NX requests your cooperation for a follow-up survey. Also please note that your name and email address may be provided to a system vender for performing the followup survey. More information about follow up survey is available “here”
3．Costs covered by KEK
（１）Travel Expenses
Based on KEK’s regulations, Round-trip Airfare, Transportation Fee between the departure airport and KEK (Tsukuba or Tokai) and Daily Allowance are covered.
（２）Daily Allowance and Accommodation Fee
Based on KEK’s regulations, from the next day when arriving at KEK to the previous day when leaving from KEK, Daily Allowance: ¥1,000 per day and Accommodation Fee per one night: ¥6,000 (Tsukuba Campus), ¥6,400(Tokai Campus) are covered.
4．Application Procedures
（１）How to Apply
To submit the designated application form (Word, PDF) by the host researcher to the DE&I Officevia email.
（２）Due Date
BY Wednesday May 13, 2026
- Depending on the remaining budget, the 2nd call will be opened after June.
- Please consider the number of days to obtain a short-term visa if necessary.
（３）Selection Process and Notification of Result
Selection is conducted by the selection committee for “Athena Program” shortly after the application deadline. The result will be notified to the applicant promptly.
5．Receiving Procedures (All procedures must be handled by the host researcher.)
（１）Examination of Export Control
To submit 2 kinds of materials to the Research Cooperation Division via email and to notify the DE&I Office of the result. In detail, please refer to the relevant website (* KEK's Staff page).
（２）Short-term Visa Application
Please refer to Visa Support Page of the UO website (in Japanese).
（３）Procedure for Travel Expenses Payment
To submit " Receiving Schedule Survey (using separately prescribed format; Word, PDF)" with receipt of the airfare to the DE&I Office by 3 weeks before arriving at KEK. To receive the expenses (by cash), fellows are required to submit the boarding pass of outbound flight to the Accountant Division.
（４）Schedule Change
In case of any changes in schedule (acceptance periods and domestic business trips, etc.), please contact the DE&I Office immediately.
6．Research Report
To submit “Research Activity Report (using a separately prescribed format; Word, PDF)”, the journal papers to the DE&I Office and questionnaires to the DE&I Office.
7．Important Notes
- Before welcoming the fellow, please let the fellow understand;
- KEK's DE&I Policy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and comply with
- KEK Code of Conduct Code of Conduct and compliance.
- If any domestic business trips related with the research project, is being planned, please indicate them on “Application Form”
- The period of the research at KEK should be longer than half of the length of the stay in Japan.
- Regarding expenses covered by KEK, please fully coordinate with the fellows in advance.
8．Contact
DE&I Office Email: geo@kek.jp Ext.: 6206
(For reference)
