The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency of the United States Government. Its vision is to enable the nation's future through discovery, learning and innovation. In pursuit of this vision, NSF invests in (1) PEOPLE to develop a diverse, internationally competitive and globally-engaged workforce of scientists, engineers and well-prepared citizens; (2) IDEAS to provide a deep and broad fundamental science and engineering knowledge base; and (3) TOOLS to provide widely accessible, state-of-the-art science and engineering infrastructure. All of these goals work in concert. The Foundation seeks to realize these three goals through core strategies: developing intellectual capital; integrating research and education; and promoting partnerships among institutions involved in science and engineering research and education.

The Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) is one of seven NSF directorates and is organized into five divisions and one office: Graduate Education; Undergraduate Education; Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education; Human Resource Development; Research, Evaluation, and Communication; Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The Division of Graduate Education supports the early career development of scientists and engineers by providing fellowships and traineeships for graduate and postdoctoral study. The Division of Undergraduate Education supports efforts to strengthen the vitality of undergraduate science, engineering, mathematics and technology education for all students, including majors in those fields, prospective teachers of grades pre-K to 12, students preparing for the technical workplace, and students in their role as citizens in a technological society. The Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education supports projects that develop and implement models of high-quality instructional materials; strengthen teacher competencies in science, mathematics, and technology content and pedagogy, prepare students for the technological workforce; facilitate transitions from secondary school to higher education and the workplace; promote the public understanding of science, mathematics, and technology and provide stimulating learning environments outside school. The Division of Human Resource Development has primary responsibility for broadening the participation of groups underrepresented at the undergraduate and graduate levels in science, engineering, mathematics and technology, and improving science and engineering at minority-serving institutions. The Division of Research, Evaluation, and Communication supports research on teaching, learning and the integration and impact of technology on classrooms. The Division also contributes to the fundamental understanding of the development and implementation of science and mathematics programming across the EHR Directorate, and its impact through periodic program evaluations. The Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) increases the research and development (R&D;) competitiveness of 26 jurisdictions.

The Assistant Director for Education and Human Resources (AD/EHR) provides leadership and direction to National Science Foundation programs aimed at improving education in science, engineering, mathematics and technology. The incumbent is responsible for leading and integrating the efforts of the EHR organization, and for planning and implementing programs, priorities, and policy within the framework of statutory and National Science Board authority. He or she must have outstanding leadership abilities, a deep sense of scholarship, a grasp of the issues and opportunities facing education and research, and a commitment to the goals and strategies of the National Science Foundation.

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