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What is PREM?

Building Capability in Materials Research

The Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) program fosters long-term collaborations between universities and NSF’s Division of Materials Research (DMR)-supported centers. It enhances research opportunities through faculty and student exchanges, student mentoring and professional development, educational opportunities and training in state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical and computational materials development techniques. PREM supports students, postdocs, and faculty while advancing materials research and education.

Engaging Talent

We focus on identifying, recruiting and supporting a cohort of talented individuals in materials science through targeted outreach, mentorship, professional development and research engagement.

Fostering Growth

Our outreach and partnership initiatives ensure a collaborative environment that empowers long-term growth and a broad spectrum of perspectives that strengthen our field.

Impacting our World Through Materials Science

Our members conduct interdisciplinary research and develop new knowledge and technologies that impact the fields of biomedicine, energy, nanotechnology, electronics, and sustainability.

PREM Network on LinkedIn

Connect with our network, get the latest updates, and engage with our community.

Upcoming Events

San Diego Convention Center. Image credit: Sebastian Wallroth

TMS 2026 Annual Meeting & Exhibition

The TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition brings together more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, business leaders, and other professionals in the minerals, metals, and materials fields for a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary exchange of technical knowledge.

Sun Mar 15, 2026, 9:00AM - Thu Mar 19, 2026, 5:00PM

San Diego Convention Center and Hilton San Diego Bayfront

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Image courtesy of APS Global Physics Summit

APS Global Physics Summit

The APS Global Physics Summit is the largest physics research conference in the world, uniting 14,000 scientific community members across all disciplines of physics. This meeting reflects the inclusivity and synergy of many physics disciplines and emerging cross-disciplinary areas of science, which perfectly reflects this year's theme of Science for a Shared Future.

Mon Mar 16, 2026, 9:00AM - Fri Mar 20, 2026, 5:00PM

Colorado Convention Center

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Image courtesy of Materials Research Society

2026 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit

The 2026 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit, April 26–May 1 in Honolulu, will bring together researchers from academia, industry, and government for a week of collaboration and scientific exchange—highlighting breakthroughs in sustainability, energy, and more.

Sun Apr 26, 2026, 9:00AM - Sat May 2, 2026, 5:00PM

Honolulu, Hawai‘i

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News

Jan 6, 2026

UPR and PENN celebrate their 20th PREM Joint Annual Meeting

On December 12, 2025, the UPR-PENN PREM celebrated its 20th Joint Annual Meeting. Since its start in 2004, the program has brought together faculty, students, and members of the External Advisory Board every fall in Puerto Rico to share research and education achievements and plan future initiatives.

Dec 17, 2025

Homegrown Energy

Robyn Ross

Anyone who relies on battery-powered electronics has experienced the inconvenience and frustration of drained batteries. But to hold charges longer, batteries generally need to be larger and heavier—forcing manufacturers to choose between prioritizing battery life and offering the lightest, sleekest product. Texas State University graduate Chris Reyes and his company, Material are working to eliminate that tough choice. At its headquarters at TXST’s STAR Park technology incubator, the startup is developing a new type of long-lasting, rechargeable, 3D printed batteries.

Oct 27, 2025

New Water Sensor Detects Toxic Iron Pollution with Extreme Sensitivity

PREM Web Team

A team of researchers from the U.S. and India has developed a powerful new sensor that can identify dangerous levels of iron in water faster, cheaper, and with far greater accuracy than existing methods. The project was led by Fei Yan, professor at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Yan is also part of the NSF PREM for Hybrid Nanoscale Systems.

Aug 5, 2025

Texas State University Student Wins Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

By Lane G Fortenberry, Texas State University

A Texas State University undergraduate student has been awarded a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Jul 21, 2025

CAMPS 2025: A Student-Driven Showcase of Innovation, Community, and Future Leadership in Materials Science

PREM Web Team

In May, close to 100 students from 26 institutions across the United States came together in San Marcos, Texas for the CAMPS 2025 conference. More than just a scientific meeting, CAMPS—short for Conference Across MRSEC and PREM Schools—has carved out a unique identify as a conference organized by students, for students.

Apr 15, 2025

Lights, Camera, Energy!

By Divya Abhat

Each year, nearly 8,000 school-age kids watch PREM researchers at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) deliver awe-inspiring performances: a race between two people to lift a one-ton weight, gummy bears that burst loudly into flames, giant pendulums or wrecking balls swinging dangerously close to the face, and dance—so much dance.

Feb 19, 2025

PREM Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary

By Divya Abhat

2024 marked the 20^th anniversary of NSF’s PREM program. The PREM community celebrated this milestone at the NSF PREM Research Scholars Summit, held at the recent Materials Research Society meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

From Research Highlights

Explore our latest research that's shaping the future of DMR

Dive into cutting-edge projects and collaborations pushing the boundaries of discovery.

See all Highlights

Technical Workshop on Electrochemistry

First Transistors Fabricated at Fort Lewis College

Building Community and Technical Skills with IMOD

Development and Characterization of Chemically Oxidized Porous Silicon Solid Propellant Microthrusters

Topology in Quantum and Molecular Matter

Our Community

Meet the talented researchers and educators driving innovation in materials science

Zhongzhou Chen

Associate Professor, University of Central Florida

Kim Lewis

Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences and Professor of Physics, Howard University

Yiyan Li

Fort Lewis College

Claribel Acevedo Velez

Associate Professor , University of Puerto Rico-Mayguez

Eric Stach

Scientific Director, University of Pennsylvania

Thelma Castaneda

Colin Nuckolls

Sheldon and Dorothy Buckler Professor of Material Science, Columbia University in the City of New York

Jennifer Lewis

Area Chair, Bioengineering, Harvard University

Qilin Dai

Associate Professor, Jackson State University

Titel Jurca

Associate Professor, University of Central Florida

Gabriel Montano

Alan T. Johnson

Rebecca W. Bushnell Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania

Javier Read de Alaniz

Professor, University of California Santa Barbara

Alexander Gray

Associate Professor, Temple University