The goal of FUTURE is to support the ambitions of aspiring young women in physics, who will go on to become part of a diverse generation of scientific leaders.
*We use a fluid definition of “woman” that is inclusive of trans and genderqueer women, femmes, and gender non-confirming/non-binary students
NOMINATIONS and ELIGIBILITY
Nominations for FUTURE 2021 will open July 1st 2021 and close August 2nd 2021. Additional details are provided on this page. Follow this link to the 2021 nomination form
FUTURE 2021 will be held on the Caltech campus on Monday and Tuesday, September 13-14, 2021. This year’s conference will provide an in-depth look into life as a Physics graduate student through a series of presentations, discussion panels, mini-workshops and informal socials with Caltech faculty and students. Topics will include choosing a research direction, building community, challenges facing women*, the application process and more.
We welcome you to nominate your most promising rising junior or senior undergraduate women* (and/or women* who are interested in pursuing a physics PhD in the next 1-2 years) to participate in this two-day in-person event. Rising juniors should have an interest in pursuing a PhD in physics and motivation to learn more about graduate education and opportunities. Rising seniors should be planning to apply to graduate school in the Fall of 2021 and have a demonstrated interest in physics research. We prefer nominations from faculty but will also consider non-faculty and self-nominations. This program is designed to support students who identify as women* but we accept nominations of any students who would benefit from our program that centers on the experiences of women* in physics and STEM. We are committed to building an inclusive cohort that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of students’ intersectional identities and experiences, and strongly encourage nominations of women* of color and those historically excluded in physics.
There is no fee for participating in FUTURE 2021. All costs–including domestic travel–will be paid by the program.
Nominations must be submitted by August 2, 2021.
* We use a fluid definition of “woman” that is inclusive of trans and genderqueer women, femmes, and gender non-confirming/non-binary students.

ABOUT FUTURE 2021
FUTURE 2021 will be our fourth cohort, and a return to the Caltech campus. Caltech hosted 33 undergraduate students November 1-2, 2018 and 41 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students October 14-15, 2019 for an incredible two days of networking and learning. In 2020 FUTURE was a virtual event with over 95 participants. FUTURE, held on campus, is a two day, all-expenses-paid event supported by Caltech, the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, and the Heising-Simons Foundation. Participants have an opportunity to engage in intimate big science discussions with Caltech faculty, attend panel discussions on topical research areas as well as on graduate student life, and receive personalized guidance on how to navigate the graduate school application process through mini-workshops.
FUTURE FAQs
MATERIALS and RESOURCES
Several of the most popular workshops during FUTURE are those related to preparing applications for graduate school and fellowships. Go to the Resources page for materials used during these workshops, along with additional information.
Fun Facts About FUTURE
FUTURE Organizing Committee
Please feel free to contact us at FUTUR1653078607E@cal1653078607tech.1653078607edu1653078607 with any questions about the program.