SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — Two South Dakota universities are closer to adding doctoral programs in physics to their curriculums in part to support work being done at the Sanford Underground Research Facility at Lead (leed).

The state Board of Regents voted Wednesday to add the programs at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

The Legislature must now approve $1.9 million in funding for the programs.

If approved, both universities would add four physics faculty members and six graduate assistants.