Called the “most cost effective program of its kind” by a major funding agency, the Aspen Center for Physics takes pride in the fiscal responsibility that has allowed it to grow and prosper since its beginnings in 1961. We have a small administrative staff thanks to thousands of hours donated annually by Members of the ACP governing board. We are a center for physicists, run by physicists who handle all of the scientific matters, including programming, admissions, financing, and policy making.

Federal Grants

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported the Aspen Center for Physics since 1972 (current Grant #PHY-2210452). NSF funds support housing costs for summer program participants. The Department of Energy (DOE) formerly supported publication and secretarial costs for the winter program, and currently provides participant support for individual winter conferences. We have also received funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Corporations, Foundations and Individuals

Several corporations, foundations, laboratories and individuals have supported specific programs, building projects, and the endowment. We are grateful for their assistance in establishing the Center as one of the leading institutions  in theoretical physics world-wide.