Scholarship and Research

Scholarship and research are essential aspects of the University's enterprise. Every member of the faculty is engaged in scholarly research; each year the members of the faculty publish more than 2,000 scholarly documents. In addition, graduate students and upperclass undergraduates pursue independent research.

External sources funded 1,107 separate projects in 1995–96 (not including the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory). There were 512 sponsored projects in the natural sciences; 372 in engineering and applied science; 137 in the humanities and social sciences; and 86 in interdepartmental and nondepartmental programs. Funding for these projects totaled $92.3 million -- 80 percent from government, 5percent from industry, 9percent from foundations, and 6 percent from other sources.

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), in operation since 1951, is the largest center in the United States for research aimed at advancing the plasma science and technology needed for the development of an economically and environmentally attractive fusion energy source. An associated mission is to exploit this frontier of plasma physics research for other diverse practical applications. The laboratory, which is supported by the United States Department of Energy, is located on the James Forrestal Campus.

PPPL is the site of the nation's largest magnetic fusion device, the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR), and other fusion experiments. TFTR has produced world-record levels of fusion power.

The laboratory employs approxjÖtely 530 full-time employees. Its budget for research in fiscal year 1996 is $66.5 million.