THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST 50 YEARS
Since its official establishment in 1950, the National Science Foundation
has been at the forefront of discovery - more than 100 Nobel Prize Winners
and thousands of other distinguished scientists and engineers have conducted
their groundbreaking research with funding from the NSF. At the same time,
the agencys growth has mirrored Americas own growing commitment
to science as a national priority.
One dramatic example of this commitment is the number of grants funded.
In 1952, the NSF had the resources to fund only 28 research grants. In
contrast, during 2000 the Foundation will fund more than 10,000 new grants.
The following timeline highlights some important dates in the National
Science Foundations history - dates that often underscore the high
value our nation places upon the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
The War Years
Americas military might during WWII was due, in no small measure,
to the nations increased scientific and engineering research activities.
A growing awareness of the power of these innovations began to intensify
among the American public.
1945 Vannevar Bush, head of the government's wartime Office
of Scientific Research and Development, issues a report to President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt, "Science--The Endless Frontier." The report
becomes famous as the prescription for government support of science.
1950 On May 10, President Harry S. Truman signs Public
Law 507, creating the National Science Foundation. The act provides for
a National Science Board of twenty-four part-time members and a Director
as chief executive officer, all appointed by the president.
1951 In early March, Truman nominates Alan T. Waterman,
the chief scientist at the Office of Naval Research, to become the first
Director of the fledgling agency. The agencys initial budget is
$151,000.
1952 After moving its administrative offices twice, the
NSF begins its first full year of operations with an appropriation from
Congress of just $3.5 million, a figure far less the almost $33.5 million
requested. Twenty-eight research grants are awarded.
1957 On October 5, the Soviet Union launches Sputnik I,
the first ever man-made satellite, into orbit. The successful rocket launch
forces a national self-appraisal that questions American education, scientific,
technical and industrial strength. For 1959,
Congress increases the NSF appropriation to $134 million, nearly $100
million higher than the year before. By 1968, the NSF budget will stand
at nearly $500 million.
1959 The United States concludes a treaty with the other
nations engaged in Antarctic
research that reserves the continent for peaceful and scientific research.
The NSF begins the U.S. Antarctic Program, a research program that to
this day continues to uncover important knowledge about the natural world.
1960 - Emphasis on international scientific and technological
competition further accelerates NSF growth. The Foundation starts the
Institutional Support Program - the single largest beneficiary of NSF
budget growth in the 1960s - a capital funding program designed to build
a research infrastructure among American universities. NSF's appropriation
is $152.7 million; 2,000 grants are made.
1968 The Deep Sea Drilling Project begins. Over the years,
the project reveals much new evidence about the theories of continental
drift, sea floor spreading and the general usefulness of the ocean basins.
The program also becomes a model of international cooperation as several
foreign countries join the operation.
1977 The first "internet" is developed. An interconnection
of unrelated networks, it is run by the Defense Departments Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Over the next decade, increasing NSF
involvement leads to a three-tiered system of internetworks managed by
a mix of universities, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
By the mid-1980s, primary financial support for the growing project is
assumed by the NSF.
1983 The agency budget tops $1 billion for the first time.
Major increases in the nations research budget are proposed as the
country recognizes the importance of research in science and technology,
as well as education. A separate appropriation is established for the
U.S. Antarctic Program. NSF receives more than 27,000 proposals and funds
more than 12,000 of them.
1985 In November NSF delivers ozone sensors, along with
balloons and helium, to researchers at the South Pole so they can measure
stratospheric ozone loss. The action is taken in response to findings
made in May of that year, indicating a steep drop in ozone over a period
of several years. The Internet project, now known as NSFNET, continues.
1989 - The Foundation receives more than 37,500 proposals for
research, graduate fellowships, and math, science and engineering education.
Over 16,000 awards are made to universities, colleges, academic consortia,
non-profit institutions and small businesses.
1990 In its 40th year of operation, NSF's appropriation
passes $2 billion for the first time.
1991 In March, the NSFNET acceptable use policy is altered
to allow commercial traffic. By 1995, with the private, commercial market
thriving, NSF decommissions the NSFNET, allowing for public use of the
Internet.
1996 NSF-funded research establishes beyond doubt that
the chemistry of the atmosphere above Antarctica is grossly abnormal and
that levels of key chlorine compounds are greatly elevated. During two
months of intense work, NSF researchers learn most of what we know today
about the ozone hole.
2000 The National Science Foundation celebrates its 50th
Anniversary
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