National Science Foundation Where Discoveries Begin

Transcription

1 National Science Foundation Where Discoveries Begin QEM Network Day at NSF for MSIs September 15, 2009 Joanne Tornow, Ph.D. Senior Advisor Biological Sciences Directorate National Science Foundation

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3 What are NSF s Responsibilities? NSF Act of 1950 NSF was charged to initiate and support: Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the engineering process Programs to strengthen S&E research potential S&E education programs at all levels and in all fields of S&E An information base on S&E appropriate for development of national and international policy.

4 About the NSF Sponsors extramural scientific research in all areas of math, science, engineering and education Supports education and training at all levels Ensures a world-class science, engineering and technology workforce for the U.S. Promotes public understanding of science, engineering and math

5 National Science Foundation Inspector General National Science Board Director Deputy Director Offices Cyberinfrastructure Integrative Activities International S&E Polar Programs Biological Sciences Computer & Info. Science & Engineering Engineering Geosciences Mathematical & Physical Sciences Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Education & Human Resources Budget, Finance & Award Management Information Resource Management

6 NSF Strategic Plan Goals: Discovery Infrastructure Learning Stewardship Core Values: Visionary Dedicated to Excellence Broadly Inclusive Accountable Key Strategies Integration of Research and Education Broadening Participation

7 NSF invests in the best ideas from the most capable people, determined by competitive merit review Two Merit Review Criteria: Intellectual Merit Broader Impact

8 Funding Opportunities Unsolicited Proposals in Core Programs Solicited Proposals for Specific Programs

9 FY09 Omnibus Bill Account Research and Related Activities Emergency Appropriations FY08 Current Plan $4, FY09 Request FY09 Final $5, $5, Education and Human Resources Emergency Appropriations Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction Agency Operations and Award Management National Science Board Office of Inspector General Total Rescission To compare, rescission and FY08 supp. not included $ 6, $6, $ 6, $ 6, %

10 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: NSF Funds $3B provided to NSF in ARRA $2.5B for Research and Related Activities $2B for research grants $300M for Major Research Instrumentation program $200M for Academic Research Infrastructure program $100M for Education and Human Resources $25M for Math and Science Partnership program $60M for Noyce Teacher Scholarship program $15M for Science Masters program $400M for Major Research Equipment and Facilities

11 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: NSF Plans Majority of R&RA funds to be spent on proposals already in house Standard grants, duration up to 5 years Priorities: CAREER grants, new investigators, high risk/high impact projects No supplements to existing awards MSP, Noyce funds will be used for proposals already in house New solicitations issued for MRI, ARI, Science Masters program

12 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Status Over 82% of the ARRA Funds have been committed/obligated Fiscal year ends September 30, ~1000 award actions to be processed Proposal submissions for FY 2010 have increased

13 FY 2010 Budget Request FY2010 Budget Request: ~$7B (8.5% increase over FY 2009)

14 FY 2010 Budget Highlights Increases support for graduate research fellowships and for early-career researchers Increases support for the education of technicians in high-technology fields Encourages more novel high-risk, high- reward research proposals Increases support for critical research priorities in global climate change

15 Selected FY 2010 Priorities Cyber-enabled Discovery and Innovation Climate Research Cybersecurity Regaining our Energy Science and Engineering Edge Science and Engineering Beyond Moore s s Law

16 For more info about NSF, visit