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Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Biocomplexity in the Environment (BE)

Information Technology Research (ITR)

Mathematical Sciences

Human and Social Dynamics

   


In addition to its investments in core research and education, NSF identifies and supports emerging opportunities that hold exceptional promise to advance knowledge. Investments in each of these priority areas support a broad range of promising research directions and platforms in developing areas of science and engineering.

NSF's budget for the 2004 fiscal year emphasizes investments in five interdependent priority areas:

   
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Nanoscale Science and Engineering
This priority area explores phenomena at molecular and atomic scales and new techniques to facilitate a broad range of applications. Recent advances have already begun to spawn useful new materials and promising innovations that will touch every part of our lives. To learn more about the Nanoscale Science and Engineering priority area, see http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/priority/nano/start.htm

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Biocomplexity in the Environment
This priority area is a multidisciplinary effort that draws on new scientific and technological capabilities to investigate the interactions among ecological, social and physical earth systems. To learn more about the Biocomplexity in the Environment priority area, see http://www.nsf.gov/geo/ere/ereweb/fund-biocomplex.cfm



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Information Technology Research
This priority area deepens research on software, networking, scalability, and communications to improve ways to gather, store, analyze, share, and display information. To learn more about the Information Technology Research priority area, see http://www.itr.nsf.gov/



Mathematical equations

 

Mathematical Sciences
The role of mathematics has expanded in science and society, and today’s discoveries in science and engineering are intertwined with advances across the mathematical sciences. This priority area will focus on fundamental mathematical and statistical research, collaboration between the mathematical sciences and other disciplines, and mathematics education. To learn more, see http://www.nsf.gov/mps/divisions/dms/start.htm

Picture of human brain split in half

 

Human and Social Dynamics
This priority area aims to help people and organizations better manage profound or rapid change through a better understanding of the causes and ramifications of change, the dynamics of behavior and the human mind, and the cognitive and social structures that create and define change. To learn more about the Human and Social Dynamics priority area, see http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/hsd/start.htm

     
 
 
     
 

 
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