Division of Physics

OVERVIEW The Division of Physics covers research in the following major subfields: atomic, molecular and optical physics; elementary particle physics; nuclear physics; particle astrophysics; nuclear astrophysics; gravitational physics; plasma physics; physics of living systems; computational physics, and integrative activities. MISSION To support fundamental research across the intellectual frontiers of physics, to support research that has broader impacts on other fields of science and on the health, economic strength, and defense of society, to enhance education at all levels and share the excitement of science with the public through integration of education and research, and to steward the physics community so as to maintain the intellectual capital essential for future advances. Modes of support include single investigator awards, group awards, centers and institutes, some interdisciplinary in nature, and several national user facilities, as well as research equipment/instrumentation development grants.