Division 6 Heading 6: Gender-Focused Capacity Building and Education in Nuclear Security

Background

Named in recognition of the pioneering physicist and two-time Nobel Prize Laureate Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the fellowship programme was launched by Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi during an IAEA event marking International Women’s Day in March 2020. By supporting their education and work experience, the initiative aims to encourage young women to study and work in nuclear science and technology or non-proliferation. The fellowship programme will provide scholarships for up to 2 years for women pursuing a graduate degree in nuclear science and technology or non-proliferation studies. The fellows will also be offered the chance to intern at the IAEA, in order to supplement the expert knowledge gained during their studies.

Objectives

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Programme aims to inspire and to encourage young women to pursue a career in nuclear sciences and technology and non-proliferation studies by providing highly motivated and talented female students scholarships for graduate degree programmes along with IAEA internship opportunities. In the long term, the Programme will contribute to a new generation of female science, technology, engineering and mathematics leaders, who will drive scientific and technological developments in their countries.

Deliverable

The programme will fund at least 100 students for the scholarships, at an estimated total cost in the range of EUR 4 to 6 million for a 2-year period.

Outcome

To equip women with scientific education and work experience in order to promote equal representation in the application of nuclear technologies to meet shared global challenges, including nuclear security.