The Global Forum Rising Stars Programme’s mission is to reach out to female rising stars in science, technology, education and policy within the nuclear field and adjacent disciplines and welcome them into the global nuclear community.

Three Rising Stars Workshops have so far taken place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, United States (2023), at the European Union Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe, Germany (2024) and at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden (2025).   

Following these events, workshop participants have been invited to submit their research papers for publication in special issues of the American Nuclear Society’s Nuclear Technology journal. The first issue was published in April 2026, marked with a launch webinar.

The fourth workshop will be held at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) in Chalk River, Ontario, Canada from 27-29 October 2026, supported by Atomic Energy of Canada, Limited (AECL). The programme will feature high-level speakers, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and the opportunity for participants to present their own research. Rising Stars will also tour CNL’s site, including visits to research laboratories and other key facilities supporting CNL’s goals of Clean Energy, Health, Environment and Safety & Security.

Travel and accommodation for selected participants will be provided by AECL or by the participant’s nominating institution.

The nomination deadline closed on 15 June 2026 and all applicants have been informed of the outcome.