About Us

Our fellows come from two NSF programs: the Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship (AAPF) and the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (MPS-Ascend).

AAPF provides an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice. The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community.

MPS-Ascend supports postdoctoral fellows who will broaden the participation of members of groups that are historically excluded and currently underrepresented in MPS fields in the U.S., such as Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, Indigenous and Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Native Pacific Islanders, as future leaders in MPS fields. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential and provide them with experience in research that will broaden perspectives, facilitate interdisciplinary interactions, and help broaden participation within MPS fields. The program funds postdoctoral fellows in research environments that will have maximal impact on their future scientific development and facilitates their transition into a faculty appointment.

We hold an annual symposium to connect with each other on science and education. The symposia provide a platform for fellows to discuss their research and broader impacts projects, exposure for the fellows and the fellowship program to the astronomical community, and an open discussion of issues that are important to astronomers as they begin their careers. Other interactive activities at symposia often include mentoring workshops, science policy discussion panels, and workshops on preparing for both academic and non-academic careers.