Education and Special Programs  (ESP)

CONTACTS

SYNOPSIS

The Education and Special Programs (ESP) unit of the Division of Astronomical Sciences administers or advises on programs that have significant educational components and/or emphasis on broadening participation in astronomy, as well as several Foundation-wide programs that support the professional development of scientists and engineers.

Programs include Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites and Supplements, a program that supports undergraduate students to participate in authentic research; Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI), a program that supports research by faculty members of predominantly undergraduate institutions; Research Opportunity Awards (ROA), a supplement available for active research awards to involve faculty from non-research institutions; and ADVANCE, a program to develop systemic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in the scientific and engineering workforce.

The ESP unit is also associated with three separately administered programs: the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, a Foundation-wide activity that offers prestigious awards in support of early career-development activities of teacher-scholars; the Partnerships in Astronomy & Astrophysics Research and Education (PAARE) Program, which aims to enhance diversity in astronomy and astrophysics research and education by stimulating the development of formal, long-term, collaborative research and education partnerships among minority-serving institutions and partners at research institutions; and NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF), which provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education in astronomy.

Full descriptions of these programs can be found by visiting the NSF home page and choosing "Crosscutting, NSF-wide" as the Program Area, or by visiting the Division of Astronomical Sciences home page.

FUNDED AS PART OF THIS ACTIVITY

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

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