The U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Physics (PHY) supports the training and growth of the future STEM workforce through outreach and education programs for students, early-career researchers and others, including communities and areas that are underrepresented in physics research.
This page highlights NSF programs focused on building a diverse, highly-skilled national workforce in physics and across the mathematical and physical sciences.
Workforce development and broadening participation programs
Partnerships for Research and Education in Physics (PREP)
The PREP program helps build greater research capacity at minority-serving institutions by supporting substantive partnerships between those institutions and division-supported centers and institutes, such as the NSF Physics Frontiers Centers.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
PHY supports multiple REU sites, providing undergraduate students with the opportunity to work and learn side-by-side with physics researchers engaged in a broad array of NSF-funded science. Students of all backgrounds can get involved and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become part of the technology-centered workforce critical to U.S. competitiveness and security.
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MPS-Ascend)
MPS-Ascend supports postdoctoral fellows performing impactful research across all fields supported by the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (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)
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
This program supports the research of pre-tenure faculty in the 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.