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NSF Fact Sheet

 

Media contact:

 Bill Noxon

 (703) 292-7750

 wnoxon@nsf.gov

National Science Board

May 2004

Background. The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, which created NSF, states that "The Foundation shall consist of a National Science Board ... and a Director." Jointly the Board and the Director pursue the goals and functions of NSF, including the duty to "recommend and encourage the pursuit of national policies for the promotion of research and education in science and engineering."

In addition, the Board has several specific responsibilities described in the Act. One is to "establish the policies of the Foundation, within the framework of applicable national policies as set forth by the President and the Congress." Another is to "render to the President, for submission to Congress no later than January 15 of each even numbered year, a report on indicators of the state of science and engineering in the United States." A third is to "render to the President for submission to Congress reports on specific, individual policy matters related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering, as the Board, the President, or the Congress determines the need for such reports."

Composition. The NSB is made up of 24 members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The NSF director is an ex-officio member. Members serve six-year terms; one-third of the board is appointed every two years. NSB members are drawn from industry and universities, and represent a variety of science and engineering disciplines and geographic areas. They are selected for their preeminence in research, education or public service.

Actions. The NSB meets about five times a year (usually four at the NSF headquarters in Arlington, Va., and one in another part of the country). It reviews and approves major NSF awards and new programs. It also initiates and conducts studies and reports on a broad range of policy topics—on its own initiative or as the president or Congress requests—including the biennial Science and Engineering Indicators. The NSB also publishes occasional policy papers or statements on issues of importance to U.S. science and engineering.

Honors. The NSB sponsors three national honorary awards:

  • Alan T. Waterman Award - established by Congress in 1975, awarded annually to a young researcher and includes a $500,000 grant over 3 years;
  • Vannevar Bush Award - established by NSB in 1980, awarded to senior scientists for public service in science and technology;
  • NSB Public Service Award - established by NSB in 1996, presented to one or more individuals, or to a company, corporation or organization, in recognition of their contributions to increasing public understanding of science or engineering.

Members of the National Science Board:
Terms expire May 10, 2004

  • Steven C. Beering - President Emeritus, Purdue University
  • Pamela A. Ferguson - Professor and former President, Grinnell College
  • Anita K. Jones - University Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia
  • George M. Langford - Professor, Department of Biological Science, Dartmouth College
  • Joseph A. Miller, Jr. - Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Corning, Inc.
  • Robert C. Richardson - Vice Provost for Research and Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, Cornell University
  • Maxine Savitz - General Manager, Technology Partnerships, Honeywell (Retired)
  • Luis Sequeira - J.C. Walker Professor Emeritus, Departments of Bacteriology and Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Terms expire May 10, 2006

  • Nina V. Fedoroff - Willaman Professor of Life Sciences, Director, Life Sciences Consortium and Director, Biotechnology Institute, The Pennsylvania State University
  • Jane Lubchenco - Wayne and Gladys Valley Professor of Marine Biology and Distinguished Professor of Zoology, Oregon State University
  • Diana S. Natalicio - President, The University of Texas at El Paso (Vice Chair)
  • Michael G. Rossmann - Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University
  • Daniel Simberloff - Nancy Gore Hunger Professor of Environmental Science, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee
  • Warren M. Washington - Senior Scientist and Section Head, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) (Chair)
  • John A. White, Jr. - Chancellor, University of Arkansas
  • Mark S. Wrighton - Chancellor, Washington University, St. Louis

Terms expire May 10, 2008

  • Barry C. Barish - Linde Professor of Physics and Director, LIGO Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
  • Ray M. Bowen - President Emeritus, Texas A&M; University
  • Delores M. Etter - ONR Distinguished Chair in S&T;, Electrical Engineering Department, U.S. Naval Academy
  • Kenneth M. Ford - Director, Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Human and Machine Cognition, University of West Florida
  • Daniel Hastings - Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics and Co-Director, Technology and Policy Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Elizabeth Hoffman - President, University of Colorado System
  • Douglas D. Randall - Professor of Biochemistry and Director, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Jo Anne Vasquez - Educational Science Consultant, Gilbert, Arizona

Ex-Officio Member: Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr. - Acting Director, National Science Foundation
Executive Officer: Michael P. Crosby

 

 
 
     
 

 
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