Nuclear Physics CACTUS is a partnership that seeks to develop a diverse and inclusive science and technology workforce by establishing a long-term scientific partnership and local ecosystem that promotes and supports early exposure to nuclear science careers. This collaborative effort takes advantage of synergies between faculty at two minority-serving, Northern California State University campuses, California State University Sacramento (CSUS) and California State University East Bay (CSUEB), and researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to provide participants with either research experience in a field related to nuclear physics, or teaching/mentoring experience. Nuclear Physics CACTUS consists of two main tracks: Students of Undergraduate California Colleges and Universities Learning and Engaging in Nuclear physics Topics (SUCCULENT), a paid traineeship that will provide CSUS and CSUEB undergraduate students with academic training and hands-on research experience relevant to a career in nuclear science and technology; and New Opportunities for Postdoc Access to Lesson-building and Education of Students (NOPALES), a teaching track for LLNL postdocs to broaden and enhance their professional skills through teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. The SUCCULENT track includes training by faculty at the students’ institution followed by a summer internship at LLNL where students will engage in cutting edge research at state-of-the-art facilities. Following their internship, students will continue to work in scientific research projects with faculty mentors at their home institution. Student research opportunities include studies in utilizing instrumentation/quantum sensors, computational astrophysics, and both experimental and theoretical nuclear physics. The NOPALES track provides opportunities for postdoctoral researchers at LLNL to teach and mentor students at CSUS. This direct exposure is crucial for postdocs that aim to become faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions, an experience that is not available to many postdocs at national labs. NOPALES postdocs will have the opportunity to teach classes at CSUS and receive teaching mentorship from experienced faculty. They will also have access to professional development programs offered by the university. Both the SUCCULENT and NOPALES programs include support for participants to be involved in outreach and help recruit subsequent cohorts for both programs. CSUS and CSUEB are minority serving institutions, both being designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) as well as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI). Additionally, CSUS has been designated as a State of California Black Serving Institution. This project is thus ideally suited to achieve the objectives of the RENEW program to train a diverse workforce for energy sciences. The Nuclear Physics CACTUS will increase pathways to graduate programs in nuclear physics as well as strengthen the bridge between national laboratories and undergraduate teaching institutions, thus advancing scientific excellence and building a skilled, diverse workforce for energy sciences.