- independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting science and engineering through programs that invest money in research and education projects in science and engineering
The National Science Foundation requests $4.572 billion for Fiscal Year 2001, $675 million or 17.3% over FY 2000. The FY 2001 Budget Request will invest in the innovative ideas, outstanding people and cutting-edge tools that our nation needs for a 21st Century research and education enterprise - an enterprise that paves new roads to discovery, addresses national science and engineering priorities, and commits itself to a world-class science, engineering, and technology workforce. NSF's investments reflect the Foundation's three strategic goals:
Ideas - Discovery at and across the frontier of science and engineering, and connections to its use in the service of society.
People - A diverse, internationally competitive and globally-engaged workforce of scientists, engineers and well-prepared citizens.
Tools - Broadly accessible, state-of-the-art information bases and shared research and education tools.
The National Science Foundation funds research and education in science and engineering. It does this through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, and other research and/or education institutions in all parts of the United States. The Foundation accounts for about 20 percent of federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
Each year, NSF receives approximately 30,000 new or renewal support proposals for research, graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, and math/science/engineering education projects; it makes approximately 9,000 new 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 U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
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Getting Information about NSF Programs
Information about NSF programs is compiled annually into the Guide to Programs, and updated and supplemented by periodic Program Announcements and Solicitations. These publications can be found through the Online Document System. Lists of current announcements and information can also be found on the NSF web by broad program area. To receive rapid notification of new program information, by email or via a custom web page, you may subscribe to NSF's Custom News Service.
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Also see the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
The Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES) supports research to develop and advance scientific knowledge focusing on economic, legal, political and social systems, organizations and institutions.
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Decision-making and Valuation for Environmental Policy
Enhancing Infrastructure for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Environmental Statistics
Human Dimensions of Global Change
Mid-Career Methodological Opportunities
Research on Survey Methodology
Transitions from Childhood to the Workforce
Mission (continued)
In addition, SES supports research on the intellectual and social contexts that govern the development and use of science and technology. SES programs consider proposals that fall squarely within disciplines, but they also encourage and support interdisciplinary projects, which are evaluated through joint review among Programs in SES, as well as joint review with programs in other Divisions, and NSF-wide multi-disciplinary panels, as appropriate.
All programs in SES consider proposals for research projects, conferences, and workshops. Some programs also consider proposals for doctoral dissertation improvement assistance, the acquisition of specialized research and computing equipment, group international travel, and large-scale data collection. SES participates in special initiatives and competitions on a number of topics, including human dimensions of global change, and infrastructure to improve data resources, data archives, collaboratories, and centers.
Letter to Researchers from Bennett Bertenthal
