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About the National Science Foundation 



NSF is an independent federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (PL 81- 

 507). Its aim is to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States The idea of such a 

 foundation was an outgrowth of the important contributions made by science and technology during World 

 War II. From those first days, NSF has had a unique place in the Federal government it is responsible 

 for the overall health of science and engineering across all disciplines In contrast, other federal agencies 

 support research focused on specific missions, such as health or defense The Foundation is also 

 committed to ensuring the Nation's supply of scientists, engineers, and science educators 



NSF funds research and education in science and engineering It does this through grants and contracts 

 to more that 2,000 colleges, universities, and other research institutions in all parts of the United States 

 The Foundation accounts for about 25 percent of Federal support to academic institutions for basic 

 research 



NSF receives approximately 30,000 proposals each year for research and education and training projects, 

 and several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, it makes approximately 

 20,000 awards These typically go to universities, colleges, academic consortia, nonprofit institutions, and 

 small businesses The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research 

 Centers, certain oceanographic vessels, and Antarctic research stations The Foundation also supports 

 cooperative research between universities and industry and US participation in international scientific 

 efforts. 



The Foundation is led by a presidential^ appointed director and governed by the National Science Board 

 (NSB) The Board is composed of 24 members, representing a cross section of American leadership in 

 science and engineering research and education; appointed by the President to 6-year terms, with one 

 third appointed every 2 years, and selected solely on the basis of established records of distinguished 

 service. The NSF Director is a member ex officio of the Board In addition to governance of the 

 Foundation, the Board serves the President and the Congress as an independent advisory body on 

 policies affecting the health of US science and engineering and education in science and engineering. 



NSF is structured much like a university, with grants-making divisions for the various disciplines and fields 

 of science and engineering and science education NSF also uses a formal management process to 

 coordinate research in strategic areas that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries The Foundation is 

 helped by advisors from the scientific community and from industry who serve on formal committees or as 

 ad hoc reviewers of proposals This advisory system, which focuses on both program direction and 

 specific proposals, involves more than 59,000 scientists and engineers a year. NSF staff members who 

 are experts in a certain field or area make award recommendations, applicants get anonymous verbatim 

 copies of peer reviews 



Awardees are wholly responsible for doing their research and preparing the results for publication, the 

 Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation. 



NSF welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists and engineers and strongly encourages 

 women, minorities, and people with disabilities to compete fully in its programs In accordance with 

 federal statutes and regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national 

 origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in. be denied the benefits of. or be subject to 

 discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF. 



