    [United States Government Manual]
    [June 01, 2006]
    [Pages 472-477]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

    4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230

    Phone, 703-292-5111. Internet, www.nsf.gov.
    National Science Board

    Chairman                                          Steven C. Beering
    Vice Chairman                                     Kathryn D. Sullivan
    Members                                           Dan E. Arvizu, Barry
                                                              C. Barish,
                                                              Steven C.
                                                              Beering, Ray
                                                              M. Bowen, G.
                                                              Wayne Clough,
                                                              Kelvin K.
                                                              Droegemeier,
                                                              Nina V.
                                                              Fedoroff,
                                                              Kenneth M.
                                                              Ford, Daniel
                                                              E. Hastings,
                                                              Elizabeth
                                                              Hoffman, Louis
                                                              J. Lanzerotti,
                                                              Alan I.
                                                              Leshner, Diana
                                                              S. Natalico,
                                                              Douglas D.
                                                              Randall,
                                                              Michael G.
                                                              Rossmann,
                                                              Daniel
                                                              Simberloff,
                                                              Jon C.
                                                              Strauss,
                                                              Kathryn D.
                                                              Sullivan,
                                                              JoAnne
                                                              Vasquez,
                                                              Warren M.
                                                              Washington,
                                                              Mark S.
                                                              Wrighton
        (Ex officio)                                  Arden L. Bement, Jr.
        Executive Officer                             Michael P. Crosby
        Inspector General                             Christine C. Boesz

    [[Page 473]]

    Officials:

    Director                                          Arden L. Bement, Jr.
        Deputy Director                               Kathie L. Olsen
        Assistant Director for Biological             James Collins
                Sciences
        Assistant Director for Computer and           Peter A. Freeman
                Information Science and
                Engineering
        Assistant Director for Education and          Donald E. Thompson,
                Human Resources                               Acting
        Assistant Director for Engineering            Richard Buckius,
                                                              Acting
        Assistant Director for Geosciences            Margaret S. Leinein
        Assistant Director for Mathematical           Judith S. Sunley,
                and Physical Sciences                         Acting
        Assistant Director for Social,                David W. Lightfoot
                Behavioral, and Economic
                Sciences
        Chief Financial Officer and                   Thomas N. Cooley
                Director, Office of Budget,
                Finance, and Award
                Management
        Director, Office of Information and           Anthony Arnolie
                Resource Management
        Director, Office of Integrative               Nathaniel G. Pitts
                Activities
        Director, Office of Legislative and           Jeff Nesbit
                Public Affairs
        Director, Office of Polar Programs            Karl A. Erb
        General Counsel                               Lawrence Rudolph

    [For the National Science Foundation statement of organization, see the
            Federal Register of February 8, 1993, 58 FR 7587-7595; May 27,
            1993, 58 FR 30819; May 2, 1994, 59 FR 22690; and Oct. 6, 1995,
            60 FR 52431]

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    The National Science Foundation promotes the progress of science and
    engineering through the support of research and education programs. Its
    major emphasis is on high-quality, merit-selected research--the search
    for improved understanding of the fundamental laws of nature upon which
    our future well-being as a nation depends. Its educational programs are
    aimed at ensuring increased understanding of science and engineering at
    all educational levels, maintaining an adequate supply of scientists,
    engineers, and science educators to meet our country's needs.

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency created
    by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C.
    1861-1875).
        The purposes of the Foundation are to increase the Nation's base of
    scientific and engineering knowledge and strengthen its ability to
    conduct research in all areas of science and engineering; to develop and
    help implement science and engineering education programs that can
    better prepare the Nation for meeting the challenges of the future; and
    to promote international cooperation through science and engineering. In
    its role as a leading Federal supporter of science and engineering, the
    agency also has an important role in national policy planning.
        The Director and the Deputy Director are appointed by the President,
    with the advice and consent of the Senate, to a 6-year term and an
    unspecified term, respectively. The Foundation's activities are guided
    by the National Science Board. The National Science Board is composed of
    24 members and the Director ex officio. Members are appointed by the
    President with the advice and consent of the Senate for 6-year terms,
    with one-third appointed every 2 years. They are selected because of
    their records of distinguished service in science, engineering,
    education, research management, or public affairs to be broadly
    representative of the views
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T206692.050

    [[Page 475]]

    of national science and engineering leadership. The Board also has a
    broad national policy responsibility to monitor and make recommendations
    to promote the health of U.S. science and engineering research and
    education.
        The Foundation's Office of Inspector General is responsible for
    conducting and supervising audits, inspections, and investigations
    relating to the programs and operations of the Foundation, including
    allegations of misconduct in science.

    Activities

    The National Science Foundation initiates and supports fundamental,
    long-term, merit-selected research in all the scientific and engineering
    disciplines. This support is made through grants, contracts, and other
    agreements awarded to universities, colleges, academic consortia, and
    nonprofit and small business institutions. Most of this research is
    directed toward the resolution of scientific and engineering questions
    concerning fundamental life processes, natural laws and phenomena,
    fundamental processes influencing the human environment, and the forces
    affecting people as members of society as well as the behavior of
    society as a whole.
        The Foundation encourages cooperative efforts by universities,
    industries, and government. It also promotes the application of research
    and development for better products and services that improve the
    quality of life and stimulate economic growth.
        The Foundation promotes the development of research talent through
    support of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral
    researchers. It administers special programs to identify and encourage
    participation by groups underrepresented in science and technology and
    to strengthen research capability at smaller institutions, small
    businesses, undergraduate colleges, and universities.
        The Foundation supports major national and international science and
    engineering activities, including the U.S. Antarctic Program, the Ocean
    Drilling Program, global geoscience studies, and others. Cooperative
    scientific and engineering research activities support exchange programs
    for American and foreign scientists and engineers, execution of jointly
    designed research projects, participation in the activities of
    international science and engineering organizations, and travel to
    international conferences.
        Support is provided through contracts and cooperative agreements
    with national centers where large facilities are made available for use
    by qualified scientists and engineers. Among the types of centers
    supported by the Foundation are astronomy and atmospheric sciences,
    biological and engineering research, science and technology,
    supercomputers, and long-term ecological research sites.
        The Foundation's science and engineering education activities
    include grants for research and development activities directed to model
    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 also provided for college science
    instrumentation, course and curriculum improvement, faculty and student
    activities, and minority resource centers. In addition, studies of the
    status of math, science, and engineering education are supported.
        The National Science Board presents the Vannevar Bush Award annually
    to a person who, through public service activities in science and
    technology, has made an outstanding contribution toward the welfare of
    mankind and the Nation. It also presents the Public Service Award to an
    individual and to a company, corporation, or organization who, through
    contributions to public service in areas other than research, have
    increased the public understanding of science or engineering. The
    National Science Foundation annually presents the Alan T. Waterman Award
    to an outstanding young scientist or engineer for support of research
    and study. The Foundation also provides administrative

    [[Page 476]]

    support for the President's Committee on the National Medal of Science.
        Information on these awards is available through the Internet at
    www.nsf.gov/home/nsb/start.htm.

    Sources of Information

    Board and Committee Minutes  Summary minutes of the open meetings of the
    Board may be obtained from the National Science Board Office. Phone,
    703-292-7000. Information on NSB meetings, minutes, and reports is
    available through the Internet at www.nsf.gov/home/nsb/start.htm.
    Summary minutes of the Foundation's advisory groups may be obtained from
    the contacts listed in the notice of meetings published in the Federal
    Register or under ``News and Media'' on the Foundation's Web site.
    General information about the Foundation's advisory groups may be
    obtained from the Division of Human Resource Management, Room 315,
    Arlington, VA 22230. Phone, 703-292-8180.
    Contracts  The Foundation publicizes contracting and subcontracting
    opportunities in the Commerce Business Daily and other appropriate
    publications. Organizations seeking to undertake contract work for the
    Foundation should contact either the Division of Contracts, Policy, and
    Oversight (phone, 703-292-8240) or the Division of Administrative
    Services (phone, 703-292-8190), National Science Foundation, Arlington,
    VA 22230.
    Electronic Access  Information regarding NSF programs and services is
    available through the Internet at www.nsf.gov.
    Employment  Inquiries may be directed to the Division of Human Resource
    Management, National Science Foundation, Room 315, Arlington, VA 22230.
    Phone, 703-292-8180. TDD, 703-292-8044. Internet, www.nsf.gov/jobs.
    Fellowships  Consult the NSF Guide to Programs and appropriate
    announcements and brochures for postdoctoral fellowship opportunities
    that may be available through some Foundation divisions. Beginning
    graduate and minority graduate students wishing to apply for fellowships
    should contact the Directorate for Education and Human Resources. Phone,
    703-292-8601.
    Freedom of Information Act Requests  Requests for agency records should
    be submitted in accordance with the Foundation's FOIA regulation at 45
    CFR 612. Such requests should be clearly identified with ``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, 703-292-9041. E-mail, foia@nsf.gov.
    Grants  Individuals or organizations who plan to submit grant proposals
    should refer to the NSF Guide to Programs, Grant Proposal Guide (NSF-01-
    2), and appropriate program brochures and announcements that may be
    obtained as indicated in the Publications section. Grant information is
    also available through the Internet at www.nsf.gov.
    Office of Inspector General  General inquiries may be directed to the
    Office of Inspector General, National Science Foundation, Room 1135,
    Arlington, VA 22230. Phone, 703-292-7100.
    Privacy Act Requests  Requests for personal records should be submitted
    in accordance with the Foundation's Privacy Act regulation at 45 CFR
    613. Such requests should be clearly identified with ``PRIVACY ACT
    REQUEST'' and be addressed to the Privacy Act Officer, National Science
    Foundation, Room 1265, Arlington, VA 22230. Phone, 703-292-8060.
    Publications  The National Science Board assesses the status and health
    of science and its various disciplines, including such matters as human
    and material resources, in reports submitted to the President for
    submission to the Congress. The most recent report is Science and
    Engineering Indicators, 2004 (NSB-04-04).
        The National Science Foundation issues publications that announce
    and describe new programs, critical dates, and application procedures
    for competitions. Single copies of these

    [[Page 477]]

    publications can be ordered by writing to NSF Clearinghouse, P.O. Box
    218, Jessup, MD 20794-0218. Phone, 301-947-2722. E-mail,
    pubinfo@nsf.gov. Internet, www.nsf.gov.
        Other Foundation publications include: the Grant Policy Manual (NSF-
    01-2), which contains comprehensive statements of Foundation grant
    administration policy, procedures, and guidance; Guide to Programs,
    which summarizes information about support programs; the quarterly
    Antarctic Journal of the United States and its annual review issue; and
    the NSF Annual Report. These publications are available from the
    Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
    20402. Internet, www.nsf.gov.
    Reading Room  A collection of Foundation policy documents and staff
    instructions, as well as current indexes, are available to the public
    for inspection and copying during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5
    p.m., Monday through Friday, in the National Science Foundation Library,
    Room 225, Arlington, VA 22230. Phone, 703-292-7830.
    Small Business Activities  The Office of Small Business Research and
    Development provides information on opportunities for Foundation support
    to small businesses with strong research capabilities in science and
    technology. Phone, 703-292-8330. 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 (15 U.S.C. 631, 661, 683). Phone, 703-292-8330.

    For further information, contact the National Science Foundation
    Information Center, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. Phone,
    703-292-5111. TDD, 703-292-5090. E-mail, info@nsf.gov. Internet,
    www.nsf.gov.

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