Introduction and NSF Overview April 27, 2006

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Introduction and NSF Overview
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• Vannevar Bush
• And
• Science
• The Endless Frontier

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The Endless Frontier Recommendations
Universities should be the nations primary basic
research infrastructure Federal
funds should do double duty Procure research
results Educate the next generation Award
research grants based on merit Establish a
national science foundation
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NSF Act of 1950

• Encourage develop a national policy for the
  promotion of basic research and education in the
  math, physical, medical,biological, engineering
  and other sciences

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• 1950 Act
• Initiate and support
• basic research
• programs to strengthen research potential
• science education programs at all levels
• Award scholarships and fellowships
• Foster international ST
• Avoid undue concentration
• Provide a central clearinghouse for data on
  science and engineering and information for
  policy formulation

NSF Act Authorizations

• Act of 1950
• Initiate and support
• Basic research
• Programs to strengthen research potential
• Science education programs at all levels
• Award scholarships and fellowships
• Foster international ST
• Avoid undue concentration
• Provide a central clearinghouse for data on
  science and engineering and information for
  policy formulation

• Subsequent Authorizations
• Foster and support the development and use of
  computer and other technologies
• Evaluate the status and needs of the various
  sciences and fields of engineering
• Promote equal opportunities in science and
  engineering

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• NSF Vision

Advancing discovery, innovation, and education
beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and
empowering future generations in science and
engineering.
NSF-3
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Discovery Foster research that will advance the
frontiers of knowledge, emphasizing areas of
greatest opportunity and potential benefit and
establishing the nation as a global leader in
fundamental and transformational science and
engineering. Learning Cultivate a world-class,
broadly inclusive science and engineering
workforce, and expand the scientific literacy of
all citizens. Research Infrastructure Build the
nations research capability through critical
investments in advanced instrumentation,
facilities, cyberinfrastructure and experimental
tools. Stewardship Support excellence in science
and engineering research and education through a
capable and responsive organization.
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NSF in a Nutshell

• Independent Agency
• Primarily Uses Grant Mechanism
• Low Administrative Costs
• Discipline-based structure

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The National Science Board
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Office of International Science and Engineering
Provides innovative awards and supplements that
promote research excellence through new
international collaboration and that develop the
next generation of globally engaged scientists
www.nsf.gov/oise
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Office of Polar Programs
Manages and initiates National Science Foundation
funding for basic research and its operational
support in the Arctic and the Antarctic.
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Rotators (IPAs)Our Leavening Ingredient

• Intergovernmental Personnel Act
• Visiting Scientists

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Office of Cyberinfrastructure
NSF Organizational Chart
Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Programs
Director Deputy Director
National Science Board (NSB)
Office of the General Counsel
Office of Integrative Activities
Office of International Science Engineering
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
Office of Legislative Public Affairs
Office of Polar Programs
Mathematical Physical Sciences (MPS)
Geosciences (GEO)
Engineering (ENG)
Computer Information Science
Engineering (CISE)
Biological Sciences (BIO)
Social, Behavioral Economic Sciences (SBE)
Education Human Resources (EHR)
Budget, Finance Award Management (BFA)
Information Resource Management (IRM)
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The Political Climate
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American Competi
America COMPETES Act
Authorizes budget levels at the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) on a path to
doubling within the near term. The total NSF
budget is authorized to double its budget in
approximately seven years.
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6.854 billion
Increase over FY 2008 Request 822.,1 million, 13.6
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APPROPRIATIONS FOR NSF FY 1998 2009 Request
13.2
Flat
1.02
9.4
Billions of Dollars
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NSF FY 2009 Budget Request
NSF Funding by Account (Dollars in Millions) NSF Funding by Account (Dollars in Millions) NSF Funding by Account (Dollars in Millions)
2009 Request Change Percent
Research and Related Activities 5,593.99 16.0
Education and Human Resources 790.41 8.9
MREFC 147.51 -33.2
Agency Operations and Award Management 305.06 8.3
National Science Board 4.03 1.5
Office of Inspector General 13.10 14.6
Total NSF 6,854.1 13.6
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Cross-Foundation Investments
Cyber-enabled Discovery and Innovation 100 million Science and Engineering Beyond Moores Law 20 million Adaptive Systems Technology 15 million Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment 10 million

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Science and Engineering Beyond Moores Law
Goal To position the United States at the
forefront of communications and computation
capability beyond the physical and conceptual
limitations of current systems. 20 million to
encourage transformational activities and create
partnership opportunities with the private sector
and national laboratories
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• Adaptive Systems Technology

Goal To generate creative pathways and natural
interfaces between human and physical systems
that will revoloutionize the development of novel
anticipatory and adaptive systems 15 million to
support small, high-risk, transformative research
projects to explore promising research directions
in this emerging field.
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Dynamics of Water Processes In The Environment
Goal To increase our fundamental understanding
of the Earths freshwater systems and provide the
scientific basis for decision making about water
resources. 10 million to promote fundamental
research on the complex processes and feedbacks
that affect the vulnerability and resilience of
freshwater systems to climate and environmental
change.
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Proposal, Award and Funding Trends


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NSF PROPOSAL STATISTICS(FY 2007)

• 44,594 proposal actions
• 240,000 reviews
• 46,000 reviewers
• 11,484 awards
• 26.0 funding rate (Research 22)

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NSF RESEARCHGRANT PROFILE (FY 2007)
Competitive awards (Research) 7,482
Average annual award 144,798 Median
annual award 109,999 Average duration
(research) 2.87 years
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Type of Review
Year Mail Panel Mail Only Panel Only
1993 23 30 41
2006 34 9 53
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COMPARISON OF NSF BUDGET, STAFF, ANDCOMPETITIVE
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Percentage Change
1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993
1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
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National Science Foundation Update
And How To Find It
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Key Documents

• FY 2008 NSF Budget Request
• http//www.nsf.gov/about/budget/
• Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide
• http//www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_k
  eypapp
• Science and Engineering Indicators
• http//www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind08/
• When in doubt
• http//www.nsf.gov/