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The United States Government Manual
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230
703-292-5111
TDD, 800-281-8749
http://www.nsf.gov | Email: info@nsf.gov
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD
| Ex officio member | France A. Córdova |
Terms Expiring in 2020
| John L. Anderson | |
| Roger N. Beachy | |
| Vicki L. Chandler | |
| Robert M. Groves | |
| James S. Jackson | |
| Sethuraman Panchanathan | |
| George P. Peterson | |
| Chair | Diane L. Souvaine |
Terms Expiring in 2022
| Arthur Bienenstock | |
| W. Kent Fuchs | |
| W. Carl Lineberger | |
| Victor R. McCrary | |
| Emilio F. Moran | |
| Vice Chair | Ellen Ochoa |
| Julia M. Phillips | |
| Anneila I. Sargent |
Terms Expiring in 2024
| Maureen L. Condic | |
| Suresh V. Garimella | |
| Steven Leath | |
| Daniel A. Reed | |
| Geraldine L. Richmond | |
| S. Alan Stern | |
| Stephen H. Willard | |
| Maria T. Zuber |
| Executive Officer to the National Science Board | John J. Veysey II |
| Inspector General | Allison C. Lerner |
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Office of the Director (OD)
| DIRECTOR | France A. Córdova |
| Deputy Director | (vacancy) |
| CHIEF OFFICERS | |
| Information | Dorothy Aronson |
| Operating | F. Fleming Crim |
| OFFICE HEADS | |
| Diversity and Inclusion | Rhonda J. Davis |
| General Counsel | Lawrence Rudolph |
| Integrative Activities | Suzanne Iacono |
| International Science and Engineering | Rebecca S. Keiser |
| Legislative and Public Affairs | Amanda H. Greenwell |
OAD Directorates *
| ASSISTANT DIRECTORS | |
| Biological Sciences | Joanne S. Tornow |
| Computer and Information Science and Engineering | Erwin Gianchandani |
| Education and Human Resources | Karen A. Marrongelle |
| Engineering | Dawn Tilbury |
| Geosciences | William E. Easterling |
| Mathematical and Physical Sciences | Anne Kinney |
| Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences | Arthur W. Lupia |
OAD Offices *
| CHIEF OFFICERS | |
| Financial | Teresa Grancorvitz |
| Human Capital | Wonzie L. Gardner |
| OFFICE HEADS | |
| Budget, Finance, and Award Management | Teresa Grancorvitz |
| Information and Resource Management | Wonzie L. Gardner |
| * OAD is an abbreviation for Office of Assistant Director. |
The National Science Foundation supports research and education to advance science and engineering.
ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION
On May 10, 1950, President Harry S. Truman approved "an act to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes." This statute, which is commonly cited as the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Public Law 81–507), established the National Science Foundation (NSF) as an independent and executive branch agency. The NSF consists of a National Science Board (NSB) and a Director.
http://www.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/81st-congress/session-2/c81s2ch171.pdfDescriptions of the NSF's establishment, composition, functions, purpose, research facilities, and other statutory information are codified in chapter 16, sections 1861–1887, of 42 U.S.C.
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter16&edition=prelimThe NSB establishes the policies of the NSF. The President appoints each of the 24 members of the Board to a term of 6 years. Appointees have earned distinguished reputations of service in the fields of agriculture, education, engineering, research management, public affairs, and the basic, medical, or social sciences. They also have an outlook that broadly represents that of national science and engineering leadership. The membership is divided into three groups of eight members; the terms of each group are staggered and expire every 2 years. Any member, other than the Director, who has served on the Board for 12 consecutive years is ineligible for reappointment during the 2-year period following the 12th year. The Board elects its Chair and vice chair every 2 years. The election takes place in an even-numbered year at the annual meeting (42 U.S.C. 1863).
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1863&num=0&edition=prelimThe President, by the advice and with the consent of the Senate, appoints the Director for a term of 6 years. Before making his or her selection, the President must give the Board an opportunity to recommend candidates for consideration (42 U.S.C. 1864). As an ex officio member of the Board, the NSF Director is coordinate with the other Board members, except with respect to compensation and tenure. The Director is a voting member of the Board and is eligible to serve as its Chair or vice chair if elected (42 U.S.C. 1863).
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1864&num=0&edition=prelimThe NSF publishes its statements of organization in the "Federal Register" as notices:
58 FR 7587–7595 (8 FEB 1993)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1993-02-08/pdf/FR-1993-02-08.pdf#page=12158 FR 30819 ( 27 MAY 1993)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1993-05-27/pdf/FR-1993-05-27.pdf#page=13559 FR 22690 (2 MAY 1994)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1994-05-02/pdf/FR-1994-05-02.pdf#page=21060 FR 52431 (6 OCT 1995)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-10-06/pdf/95-24895.pdf#page=1The agency's organizational chart is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading on the "NSF Organization List" web page.
https://www.nsf.gov/staff/organizational_chart.pdfACTIVITIES
The NSF initiates and supports fundamental, long-term, merit-selected research in the scientific and engineering disciplines through grants, contracts, and other agreements that are awarded to universities, colleges, academic consortia, and nonprofit and small business institutions. Most of this research attempts to answer scientific and engineering questions of fundamental life processes, natural laws and phenomena, fundamental processes that influence the human environment, and the forces that affect people as members of society, as well as the behavior of society as a whole.
https://www.nsf.gov/aboutThe NSF encourages cooperative efforts involving universities, industries, and government. It also promotes research and development for better products and services that improve the quality of life and stimulate economic growth.
https://www.nsf.gov/about/what.jspThe NSF cultivates talent by supporting undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. It administers special programs to identify and encourage participation of underrepresented groups in science and technology and to strengthen research capability at small institutions and businesses and at colleges and universities.
https://www.nsf.gov/od/broadeningparticipation/bp.jspIt supports major national and international science and engineering activities, including the U.S. Antarctic program, ocean drilling program, and global geoscience studies. Cooperative scientific and engineering research activities support exchange programs for American and foreign scientists and engineers, execution of jointly designed research projects, participation in international science and engineering organizational activities, and travel to international conferences.
https://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=OISEContracts and cooperative agreements with national centers allow qualified scientists and engineers access to large facilities. The NSF supports national centers that are associated with astronomy and atmospheric sciences, biological and engineering research, science and technology, supercomputers, and long-term ecological research sites.
The agency's science and engineering education activities include grants for research and development of instructional materials for students and teachers and the application of advanced technologies to education. Grants also are available for teacher preparation and enhancement and informal science education activities. Funding is provided for college science instrumentation, course and curriculum improvement, faculty and student activities, and minority resource centers. The NSF also supports studies of the status of math, science, and engineering education.
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/aboutfunding.jspThe Vannevar Bush Award is given annually to an outstanding contributor to the welfare of the Nation and mankind through public service in science and technology. The Alan T. Waterman Award is given annually to a promising young scientist or engineer to support research and study. The NSF also presents its Public Service Award to one individual and to one company, corporation, or organization for increasing public understanding of science or engineering through public service in areas other than research. The NSF administratively supports the President's Committee on the National Medal of Science.
https://www.nsf.gov/awards/presidential.jspSources of Information
A–Z Index
An A-Z index to find funding opportunities by title is available on the NSF website.
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/azindex.jspArchived Records
NSF records are referenced in the "Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States." The Guide is accessible online, and NSF records have been assigned to Record Group 307.
https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/307.htmlAt a Glance
The "At a Glance" web page provides a convenient overview of NSF activities, partners, and personnel.
https://www.nsf.gov/about/glance.jspAwards
The NSF funds science and engineering research and education through contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. The Foundation provides approximately 20 percent of the Federal support that academic institutions receive for basic research.
http://www.nsf.gov/awards/about.jspThe abstract, institutions, names, programs, title, and other information associated with an award may be found using one search box on the NSF website.
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearchBoard and Committee Meetings
Webcasts of NSB open sessions and committee meetings that are held in Arlington, VA, remain available for at least 1 year after the event. Transcripts of closed sessions of the NSB, its committees, and other subentities are available upon request by email.
http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/meetings | Email: nationalsciencebrd@nsf.govBusiness Opportunities
The NSF publicizes contracting and subcontracting opportunities in the "Commerce Business Daily" and other appropriate publications. Organizations seeking contract work should contact either the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support or the Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230.
Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support. Phone, 703-292-8240.
http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dcca/index.jspDivision of Administrative Services. Phone, 703-292-8190.
http://www.nsf.gov/oirm/dasCareer Opportunities
To carry out its mission, the NSF relies on educators, engineers, mathematicians, program directors, and statisticians, as well as on professionals with administrative, business, and management backgrounds. The NSF also offers career opportunities—internship and recent graduates programs and the Presidential Management Fellows program—for students and recent graduates.
http://www.nsf.gov/careersIn 2018, the NSF ranked 8th among 27 midsize Government agencies in the Best Places To Work Agency Rankings.
https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/NF00Climate Change
NSF Public Affairs publishes current research news on the effects of climate change on diverse ecosystems like coral reefs, grasslands, and the Southern Ocean of the Antarctic.
—on coral reefs
https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=299144—on grasslands
https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=299102—on the Southern Ocean
https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297719Contact
The "Contact NSF" web page has email addresses and phone numbers.
https://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp | Email: info@nsf.govThe NSF has a separate web page for media inquiries. Phone, 703-292-7090.
https://www.nsf.gov/news/newsroom.jsp | Email: media@nsf.govFellowships
Consult the online "Guide to Programs / Browse Funding Opportunities" and appropriate announcements and brochures for postdoctoral fellowship opportunities that may be available through some NSF divisions. Beginning graduate and minority graduate students wanting to apply for fellowships should contact the Directorate for Education and Human Resources. Phone, 703-292-8600.
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/browse_all_funding.jspFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
A request for agency records should be submitted in accordance with the NSF's FOIA regulation (45 CFR 612). A request should be clearly labeled as "FOIA REQUEST" and be addressed to the FOIA Officer, Office of General Counsel, National Science Foundation, Room 1265, Arlington, VA 22230. Phone, 703-292-8060. Fax, 703-292-9242.
http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp | Email: foia@nsf.govGrants
The "Grants.gov Application Guide" helps applicants prepare NSF applications and submit them using Grant.gov. The current guide is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.
https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguideMobile Software Applications (Apps)
The NSF Science Zone app and Science360 Radio app are accessible through the NSF website.
https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/apps/index.jspMultimedia Gallery
The NSF maintains an online multimedia gallery.
https://www.nsf.gov/news/mmgNews Search
A visitor to the NSF website may search an assortment of news types by keyword or title.
https://www.nsf.gov/news/search.jspOffice of Inspector General (OIG)
NSF employees, grantees, principal investigators, and others working on NSF programs, grants, or contracts are well-positioned to detect problems. Providing information about allegations or suspicions of abuse, fraud, mismanagement, research misconduct, unnecessary Government expenditures, and waste helps the OIG improve management and reduce fraud.
https://www.nsf.gov/oig/report-fraud | Email: oig@nsf.govOpen Government
To increase collaboration, public participation, and transparency, the NSF maintains an Open Government web page and welcomes ideas and suggestions from the public.
https://www.nsf.gov/openProposal Status
The proposal status service of Research.gov makes a single online site available for principal investigators and sponsored projects office staff to check current status information for proposals that have been submitted to the NSF via Grants.gov or FastLane.
https://www.research.gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/grantsapplicationstatus.htmlPublications
The NSF maintains an online document system to support the electronic dissemination of its documents. The online library contains thousands of documents that may be downloaded free of charge. Some NSF publications are available only in print, and others (e.g., the "Grant Proposal Guide" and "Award and Administration Guide") may be inconvenient to download. To obtain these publications in hardcopy, contact the NSF Publications Clearinghouse in Arlington, VA. Phone, 703-292-7827.
http://www.nsf.gov/publications | Email: pubinfo@nsf.govSearch or browse the online document library.
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/odsReading Room
NSF policy documents and staff instructions, as well as current indexes, are available to the public for inspection and copying. To gain access to the collection, a visitor must schedule an appointment in advance with the library, which is open on weekdays, excluding Federal holidays, 8:00 a.m.–4 p.m. The reading room is located in the National Science Foundation Library, Room 225, Arlington, VA 22230. Phone, 703-292-7830.
Email: library@nsf.govSmall Business Support
The Office of Small Business Research and Development informs small businesses with science and technology research capabilities about NSF support that could benefit them. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization oversees agency compliance with the provisions of the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended. Phone, 703-292-8050.
The Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer program helps startups and small businesses carry out scientific research and development.
http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir/home.jspSocial Media
The NSF uses social media sites and tools to disseminate news about research funds, funding opportunities, job openings, and more. Follow the NSF on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, OpenNSF, Pinterest, Twitter, Wordpress, and YouTube.
https://www.nsf.gov/socialStaff Directory
The "Staff Directory" web page has a search box that visitors can use to locate NSF employees in an electronic database. A visitor also can browse staff by NSF organization.
https://www.nsf.gov/staffThe Sources of Information were updated 11–2019.