IAEA Lise Meitner Programme: Professional Visit Opportunities for Women in Nuclear

The International Atomic Energy Agency has provided updated information for applicants interested in the Lise Meitner Programme, an IAEA initiative designed to support women professionals working in the nuclear sector. The programme offers selected participants the opportunity to take part in professional visits hosted by leading nuclear institutions around the world.

The most recent listed professional visit was scheduled to take place in Australia from 8 February to 20 February 2026, including travel days, and was hosted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The focus of the visit was nuclear medicine production, nuclear science and technology research, and nuclear applications.

According to the IAEA, the application period for the current cycle is now closed, and the next application cycle will be announced on the official programme page. This makes the page important for nuclear professionals, institutions, and national authorities who wish to track future Lise Meitner Programme opportunities.

The programme targets women professionals with nuclear-related backgrounds relevant to the focus area of each professional visit. Eligible applicants are generally expected to be currently employed with three to ten years of relevant professional experience in a nuclear-related field, or to be final-year PhD students in a nuclear field with relevant prior work experience. Applicants are also expected to have completed a relevant bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

For the Australia professional visit, participants were expected to gain practical exposure to nuclear medicine production, nuclear science and technology research, and applications at ANSTO in Sydney. The visit was also designed to highlight how nuclear science and technology can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, while equipping participants with tools to communicate the benefits of nuclear applications more effectively.

For Africa, the Lise Meitner Programme is highly relevant to ongoing efforts to strengthen gender inclusion, professional development, and technical leadership in the nuclear sector. As more African countries expand work in nuclear medicine, radiation safety, research reactors, radioactive source applications, safeguards, nuclear security, and future nuclear power planning, programmes of this nature provide valuable opportunities for women professionals to gain international exposure and return with practical insights for national development.

Prospective applicants should prepare key documents ahead of future application cycles. The IAEA indicates that applicants may be required to complete an online application form and provide documents such as a passport copy and diplomas. Employed applicants may also need a summary of current work tasks or projects, as well as an employer release and recommendation form. Final-year PhD applicants may be required to provide relevant publications or a thesis description signed by their PhD advisor.

Nuclear Africa encourages eligible women nuclear professionals across the continent to monitor future Lise Meitner Programme calls and prepare early for upcoming opportunities.

Opportunity at a Glance

Programme: IAEA Lise Meitner Programme
Organiser: International Atomic Energy Agency
Most Recent Professional Visit: Australia
Host Institution: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Dates Listed: 8–20 February 2026
Focus Area: Nuclear medicine production, nuclear science and technology research, and nuclear applications
Target Group: Women professionals in the nuclear sector
Experience Requirement: Generally 3–10 years of relevant nuclear-related experience, or final-year PhD candidates with relevant prior work experience
Current Status: Opened.
Recommended Action: Interested applicants should visit the official IAEA page and prepare required documents in advance.