Strengthening the computational physics research pipeline through community-centered learning and mentorship

The Computational Research Access Network (CRANE) is a free virtual workforce development program designed to foster excitement and a supportive community for undergraduate, graduate, and non-traditional students considering careers in plasma sciences. CRANE teaches Python-based research skills in a collaborative and inviting online learning environment. Run primarily by graduate students, post-docs, and early career scientists, we recruit students who demonstrate exceptional interest in the field yet lack access to conventional research experiences and connect them with the support they need to continue their education in plasma physics and fusion energy sciences. Over the 14-16 weeks of each year's program, students are exposed to skills ranging from basic Python coding, to numerical methods, and finally advanced algorithms such as Monte Carlo methods and magnetohydrodynamics simulations using HPCs. This year concluded the program's fourth cycle, and with it saw the largest class of 119 CRANE participants, # certificate-earning students, and at least 15 stipend-earning students. There has been a significant expansion of formal mentorship to include staff scientists and professors at premiere institutions. CRANE is working together with some of these institutions (UCLA, SAO, BMC, DIII-D, etc) towards creating formal internships, post-bac positions, etc for students who successfully complete the program. We present demographics, survey analysis, and the analysis of recruitment and retention and other key outcomes from 2022-2025, as well as updates from CRANE alumni, and plans to expand for the 2026 cycle and beyond.