[United States Government Manual] [June 01, 2008] [Pages 474-479] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230 Phone, 703-292-5111. TDD, 800-281-8749. Internet, www.nsf.gov. E-mail, info@nsf.gov. National Science Board Chairman Steven C. Beering Vice Chairman Patricia D. Galloway Members Mark C. Abbot, Dan E. Arvizu, Barry C. Barish, Camilla P. Benbow, Ray M. Bowen, John Bruer, G. Wayne Clough, Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Kenneth M. Ford, Jose- Marie Griffiths, Daniel E. Hastings, Karl Hess, Elizabeth Hoffman, Louis J. Lanzerotti, Alan I. Leshner, Douglas D. Randall, Arthur K. Reilly, Jon C. Strauss, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Thomas N. Taylor, Richard F. Thompson, JoAnne Vasquez (Ex officio) Arden L. Bement, Jr. Executive Officer Craig R. Robinson, Acting Officials: Director Arden L. Bement, Jr. Deputy Director Kathie L. Olsen Assistant Director for Biological James Collins Sciences Assistant Director for Computer and Jeannette M. Wing Information Science and Engineering [[Page 475]] Assistant Director for Education and Cora Marrett Human Resources Assistant Director for Engineering Richard Buckius Assistant Director for Geosciences Jarvis Moyers, Acting Assistant Director for Mathematical Tony F. Chan and Physical Sciences 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 Chief Human Capital Officer and Anthony Arnolie Director, Office of Information and Resource Management Director, Office of Daniel E. Atkins Cyberinfrastructure Director, Office of Equal James H. Lightbourne, Opportunity Programs Acting Director, Office of Integrative W. Lance Haworth Activities Director, Office of International Thomas Weber Science and Engineering Director, Office of Legislative and Jeff Nesbit Public Affairs Director, Office of Polar Programs Karl A. Erb General Counsel Lawrence Rudolph Inspector General Christine C. Boesz Chief Information Officer George O. Strawn [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] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T214669.051 [[Page 477]] 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 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, [[Page 478]] 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 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, [[Page 479]] 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 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, 800-281-8749. Internet, www.nsf.gov. E-mail, info@nsf.gov. ------------------------------------------------------------------------