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

The newly formed 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 and graduate school in Nuclear Physics or other STEM careers. The program started in the Summer of 2021, and 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 mentoring provided by scientists and professors, forms the foundation of the program.  The program also strives for a holistic approach to the traineeship, to ensure the students have the personal support to succeed, no matter the challenges.  In this talk we will present the structure and ideas behind the program, and an initial assessment of how well it is working.