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KEK-TRIUMF Exchange Program for Early Career Researchers (EPECR)
APPLY NOW！
The next application deadline is March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM JST.
KEK and TRIUMF are pleased to announce the joint establishment of the KEK-TRIUMF Exchange Program for Early Career Researchers (EPECR). The EPECR is a researcher and student exchange program that promotes the development of up-and-comers, who will play a key role in accelerator science and its related fields. An important aim of the program is to help foster new collaborations between KEK and TRIUMF. EPECR provides early career researchers affiliated with either of the two institutes with the opportunity to perform research activities at the other institute, enriching both the Japanese and Canadian science and innovation landscapes.
Benefits of Participating in an Exchange
·
Continue to advance your research horizons while collaborating with foreign colleagues and gaining international experience at another world-leading center
·
Play a role in facilitating collaboration and partnership between KEK and TRIUMF
·
Enrich your continuous learning with opportunities to understand an array of different cultural and community perspectives
Research Areas
With an aim to strengthen the mutual cooperation between KEK and TRIUMF and a particular emphasis on fostering new collaboration between the labs, the EPECR is focused on the research areas outlined below:
·
Physics programs including T2K (Tokai to Kamioka), Hyper-Kamiokande, Belle II, ATLAS, and other experiments using neutrons, muons and kaons
·
Materials and molecular sciences
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Accelerator R&D, accelerator physics
·
Other research activities including theoretical research under the ongoing collaboration or toward a new collaboration between the two institutes
Program Details for KEK to TRIUMF
EXCHANGE
(See TRIUMF for exchange information in the TRIUMF to KEK direction.)
Work Places
All awardees dispatched by KEK will go to TRIUMF in Canada. In special cases, awardees dispatched by KEK may be allowed to be posted at an alternate Canadian work location if it is imperative for the completion of their proposed research plan.
Exchange Length
Each exchange will be a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 90 days, with the exchange period beginning and ending in the same fiscal year. For the 2026/27 intake, all applicants must plan to complete their exchange by the end of March 2027.
NOTE:
The actual period of stay must not exceed the period stated in this application form. If the period of stay is undecided, please apply with a tentative period of 3 months. Due to budgetary limitations, KEK/TRIUMF may ask participants to adjust the duration of their stay.
Eligible Applicants
The EPECR is open to early career researchers who meet the following:
·
Postdoctoral researchers affiliated with KEK
·
Graduate students affiliated with KEK
NOTE:
- A definition of eligible applicants is shown in the attached table titled Definition of "Eligible Applicant" and "Authority of Applicants' status".
- Please ensure without fail that the planned research activity under the EPECR is allowed in light of the job scope of the applicant’s position.
Number of Awardees
There will be opportunities for approximately two awardees in each direction per fiscal year.
Program Coverage
This program will support the travel costs for the awardees, as well as provide funding for subsistence (i.e. meals and accommodation) while abroad.
Required Documents for Applicants
·
EPECR application form (PDF) (WORD)
·
Curriculum Vitae
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Publication list
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One letter of support from either the Japanese supervisor or the hosting researcher at TRIUMF making the scientific case for the exchange
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Evidence (such as email communication) that the applicant has obtained approval to apply for the EPECR from their supervisor(*)
·
Evidence (such as email communication) that the research group at TRIUMF expresses their intention of acceptance that the applicant, should they be awarded an EPECR opportunity, would perform his/her research activities with them under the EPECR requirements
NOTE:
For marked (*), prospected person who approves an application by applicant is shown in the attached table Definition of "Eligible Applicant" and "Authority of Applicants' status".
Get started with your EPECR application here. (PDF) (WORD)
Where to Submit
All application materials must be submitted together with the application form by email before the application deadline to the Program Contact:
・KEK
International Affairs Division
・E-mail: koryu1@mail.kek.jp
Awardee Selection
The selection of winners will be made by the EPECR Steering Committee, which consists of representatives from both KEK and TRIUMF. The results of the competition are expected to be confirmed by May 2026.
· Pre-selection will be based on the application documents received.
· Video interviews may be part of the selection process.
Report on Achievement
A report on achievement during the dispatch shall be submitted by email to the Program Contact (koryu1@mail.kek.jp) within one month after the date of return to the dispatching institute. The report shall be written in English and the report on achievement form can be found here.
(PDF) (WORD)
Request for your cooperation for follow-up surveys by KEK IINAS-NX
This program is supported by KEK Inter-Institution Network for Accelerators Science to Next Generation (IINAS-NX). One of the missions of IINAS-NX is to train young international researchers for high energy accelerators and related research fields. The participants of EPECR are requested to cooperate with follow-up surveys to collect the impacts of the KEK IINAS-NX project.
For the further detailed information of follow-up surveys, please refer to https://www2.kek.jp/kokusai/iinas-nx/en/1_application.html
Program Contact
・KEK
International Affairs Division
・E-mail: koryu1@mail.kek.jp