Letter from the Executive Director

NPSC does more than provide fellowships. It offers an opportunity for employers across the United States to play a major role in training tomorrow's citizen-scientists while enhancing and diversifying their workforce. NPSC has no membership fee; there is no financial obligation unless and until an employer finds a student whom the employer wishes to support. Then there is an initial two-year on three-year commitment, depending on the employer. In effect, NPSC employer-members outsource the recruitment and screening of pre-doctoral candidates to NPSC, which does the job at low cost and with high quality results.

Today, women and historically underrepresented minorities account for more than half of the U.S. working population. Yet this increasing diversity is not reflected in our population of physical scientists, researchers and engineers, even as agencies, industries and laboratories need more of them. That is why NPSC's program, while open to all U.S. citizens, emphasizes recruitment of an applicant pool that includes as many women and underrepresented minorities as possible.

The more sponsoring employer organizations who participate in the consortium, the more fellowships we can provide. And the more opportunities we will have to bring talented future scientists together with the employers who will surely need them.

It is especially gratifying to work with U.S. industries and universities in this important effort. I hope that many more will consider becoming an NPSC partner and thereby help promote diversity and excellence in science.

James Powell, Ph.D.
Executive Director, NPSC

© Copyright 2004, National Physical Science Consortium.