28 28 ACADEMIC VISITORS/VISITING RESEARCHERS University researchers who regularly meet with INL scientists and engineers (more than six weeks a year) may request a security badge through the Academic Visitors program. Academic visitors must meet INL security badge requirements and undergo additional training that may be required for specific facilities. Visiting researchers can participate in a variety of activities, including but not limited to: • Guest lectures •  Collaborations with INL researchers, funded jointly by INL and the university • Providing education to INL staff •  Mentoring INL staff on new technology or academic research •  Discussing topics of mutual interest Academic & ResearchVisitors An academic visitor does not receive any funding from INL but can interact with lab employees and discuss topics of mutual interest or potential research collaborations. Academic visitors supported the following directorates: Center for Advanced Energy Studies: 1, Boise State University Nuclear Science &Technology: 2, Brigham Young University-Idaho (Office of Science Visiting Faculty Program (VFP)) National & Homeland Security: 2, Weber State University (Office of Science Visiting Faculty Program (VFP)) INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS The Department of Energy’s Visitor Program, in which INL takes part, provides international researchers opportunities to collaborate with INL researchers and scientists. By sharing ideas and research and having access to authorized INL facilities, international researchers are able to take full advantage of the lab’s resources. By participating in a cultural exchange in the United States, they can then share their experiences with friends, families and colleagues when they return home, helping further the U.S. State Department’s foreign policy objectives. DOE’s Visitor Program sponsors visitors on J-1 Visas in these categories: • Government visitor • Specialists • Short-term scholars • Research scholars The Visitor Program is incredibly valuable to INL’s scientific community; it encourages looking at research from diverse perspectives and fosters collaboration with international researchers, thereby providing a cross-cultural exchange which inspires creativity. In 2017, for the first time, INL hosted researchers from the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute. INL’s Academic Visitors program promotes collaboration among university staff, research personnel and INL research organizations. ACADEMIC VISITORS CAME TO INL IN 2017 5