The BNL-MSI Fellowship Program for Research Excellence and Preparation in Nuclear Physics (PREP-NP)

The BNL-MSI Fellowship Program for Research Excellence and Preparation in Nuclear Physics, (PREP-NP) is a collaboration between Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to serve as a bridge for under-represented undergraduate students to graduate school in Nuclear Physics or other STEM careers. The program is a part of the DOE NP Traineeship pilot program. It is administered by Brookhaven National Lab's Office of Educational Programs and the Nuclear and Particle Physics Directorate. The PREP-NP Fellowship pairs upper-class students interested in a career in physics with Faculty Advisors and BNL Scientists to collaborate on a Nuclear Physics research project over a two-year term. The opportunity to do cutting-edge research at BNL, along with the intense, holistic mentoring provided by scientists and professors, form the foundation of the program. The program started in the Summer of 2021. We present the results from this first cohort, as well as lessons learned from our experience so far.