Visiting Faculty Program (VFP)

The Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) increases the research competitiveness of faculty members and their students by providing research experiences at a Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory.

Program Overview

VFP provides selected college faculty members the opportunity to collaborate with scientific and engineering staff on a project of mutual interest. The DOE is investing in the development of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce of the future as it is vital to the success of their mission of ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The program includes:

• 10-week program during Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
• Faculty plus two undergraduate or graduate students (Summer Term only) collaborate with BNL STEM staff on a project
• Faculty can choose two tracks: 
  • The VFP Research Collaboration track is specifically designed to help faculty increase their research competitiveness and elevate their students’ learning and research.  Faculty are not required to have previously collaborated with the DOE national laboratories to be considered for the research collaboration track
  • The VFP Teaching Initiative track invigorates faculty STEM teaching through research collaboration with DOE national laboratories. This track enables faculty to develop innovative ideas for course content, certificate programs, seminars, modules, and learning resources to foster the connection between your STEM curriculum and career opportunities in key DOE science and technology mission areas for your students. To be considered for the Teaching Initiative track, you must have previously participated in VFP (formerly called Faculty and Student Teams).