Students sitting at desks pulled together closely look at math equations on a white board.

DMS Workforce Development and Broadening Participation

The U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) supports multiple initiatives aimed at developing a skilled future workforce in mathematical sciences research while broadening participation across all U.S. communities and regions.

The following NSF programs focus on building a diverse, highly skilled national workforce in mathematics and across the mathematical and physical sciences.


Workforce development and broadening participation programs

Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences

Through this program, the division offers multiple training, education and mentorship opportunities for students and researchers at different career levels, including doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. This program includes the following three components:

Mathematical Sciences Infrastructure Program

Supports research that strengthens research infrastructure across the mathematical sciences community, training projects that complement the division’s workforce program and conference and travel requests.

Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MPS-Ascend)

Supports postdoctoral fellows performing impactful research across all fields supported by MPS while broadening the participation of groups that are underrepresented in the mathematical and physical sciences.

Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards (MPS-AFCA)

Supports MPS-Ascend postdoctoral research fellows who transition into tenure-track faculty positions in any scientific area supported by MPS.

Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Supports the research of pre-tenure faculty in mathematical and physical sciences, with an emphasis on those at institutions that traditionally do not receive significant NSF funding, such as minority-serving, predominantly undergraduate or high research activity (R2) institutions.

Partnerships for Research Innovation in Mathematical Sciences (PRIMES)

Builds lasting and productive research and training partnerships between the NSF Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes and minority-serving institutions.