Research Science and Education: The NSF's Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship

TL;DR

The NSF's AAPF uniquely supports postdoctoral researchers in conducting original astronomy research while simultaneously leading educational programs, fostering leadership in both scientific and educational domains.

Contribution

This paper highlights the dual research and educational impact of the AAPF and advocates for expanding fellowships that promote leadership in astronomy education.

Findings

Fellows have made significant scientific contributions.

Fellows have advanced astronomy education and outreach.

The fellowship encourages leadership in both research and education.

Abstract

The NSF's Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship (AAPF) is exceptional among the available postdoctoral awards in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The fellowship is one of the few that allows postdoctoral researchers to pursue an original research program, of their own design, at the U.S. institution of their choice. However, what makes this fellowship truly unique is the ability of Fellows to lead an equally challenging, original educational program simultaneously. The legacy of this singular fellowship has been to encourage and advance leaders in the field who are equally as passionate about their own research as they are about sharing that research and their passion for astronomy with students and the public. In this positional paper we address the importance of fellowships like the AAPF to the astronomical profession by identifying the science and educational contributions that Fellows have made to the community. Further, we recommend that fellowships that encourage leading postdoctoral researchers to also become leaders in Astronomy education be continued and expanded.