The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense. The NSF is the funding source for approximately 24 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities.
Within the NSF, there are seven directorates that are responsible for awarding grants and facilitating research projects in their respective fields.
The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) supports fundamental research in areas such as molecular biology, neuroscience, ecology, and evolutionary biology. BIO also supports interdisciplinary activities in the biological sciences and encourages collaborations between biologists and researchers in other disciplines.
The Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) is responsible for advancing research and education in computer science, information technology, networking, cybersecurity, and related areas. CISE strives to make computing an integral part of all aspects of society.
The Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) supports research and education in science, mathematics, engineering, technology, social sciences, humanities, international studies, economics, workforce development, STEM education and learning research, informal science education, and disability and rehabilitation engineering.
The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) supports fundamental engineering research that seeks to improve the understanding of engineering problems or processes. ENG also funds projects that focus on developing new technologies or new applications for existing technologies.
The Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) supports research in areas such as geology, oceanography, climatology, hydrology, atmospheric sciences, glaciology, geophysics, earth sciences education research and public outreach programs. GEO also works to develop new technologies for exploring the Earth’s interior and exterior environments.
The Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) focuses on fundamental research in physics, chemistry, astronomy and astrophysics, materials science and engineering, mathematics, statistics and computational science. MPS also supports interdisciplinary activities such as those involving geosciences or biological sciences.
The Directorate for Social Behavioral & Economic Sciences (SBE) provides support for basic research into social behavior as it relates to economic decisions; how economic decisions are affected by personal beliefs; how individuals form opinions on public policy issues; how populations interact with their environment; how culture influences behavior; how institutions shape economic outcomes; how societies interact with their environment; how cultures affect technological development; and more.
These seven directorates are responsible for awarding grants that support transformative scientific discoveries that benefit society in a variety of ways. From encouraging innovation to advancing education and improving human welfare though science—the NSF works hard to ensure the progress of science across the nation.
What is NSF TIP
The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Tribal Internship Program (TIP) is an internship program designed to increase the participation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program seeks to engage students in STEM-related internships that are meaningful and relevant to their interests and future career goals.
TIP provides opportunities for students to gain valuable experience and skills in numerous STEM fields through paid internships. These internships are located at NSF-funded research sites where students will receive mentorship from experienced professionals. From research laboratories to government agencies, students will have the opportunity to explore the world of STEM while gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on experience.
The program provides participants with a stipend, travel, housing, and other support services while they work on their internship projects. In addition to the hands-on experience gained during the internship period, students also have the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars related to their field of study. Students are also encouraged to participate in educational outreach activities such as mentoring younger students and engaging with their local communities.
NSF TIP is an excellent way for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students to gain valuable skills in STEM fields that can help them further their career goals. Through this program, these students will have access to unique opportunities that will help them become competitive applicants for jobs in these fields.
What is NSF IIP
The National Science Foundation (NSF)’s International Internship Program (IIP) is a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable international experience in science and engineering. This program provides students with the opportunity to work on research projects and gain hands-on experience in a foreign country. IIP offers a wide range of projects and locations, including more than 30 countries.
The IIP is an eight-week summer program that provides students with an international experience that may lead to career opportunities and the development of global networks of professional contacts. Through this program, students will have the chance to work on projects supervised by faculty and researchers at research institutions abroad. The projects often involve conducting research, helping to develop new products or services, working with new technologies, or assisting in the organization of programs.
In order to be eligible for the NSF IIP, a student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program in either science or engineering at an accredited U.S. institution. They must also have completed at least two years of college-level course work prior to their summer internship and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, the student must be able to demonstrate that they are capable of completing the assigned tasks independently or as part of a team.
The NSF IIP awards successful applicants with a stipend that covers most of their expenses while abroad, including airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, and visa fees. Students are also eligible for up to $500 in additional funding if they successfully complete their internship project.
The NSF IIP provides a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable international experience in science and engineering while building important global networks and expanding their knowledge base. It is an excellent way to gain insight into world cultures as well as how scientific research is conducted around the world.
What is the NSF fiscal year
The National Science Foundation (NSF) fiscal year is the 12-month period that the NSF uses to manage its budget and operations. It begins on October 1st of each year, and ends on September 30th of the following year. The NSF fiscal year is divided into four quarters, and the budgeting process for the upcoming fiscal year typically begins in the fall of the preceding year.
The NSF fiscal year is important because it helps the agency set long-term goals and objectives, allocate resources to achieve those goals, and track performance against its overall mission. The NSF also uses its budget to support research and education initiatives in key scientific areas such as mathematics, engineering, and computer sciences.
The NSF fiscal year also allows for an orderly transfer of funds from one year to the next. For example, if a project is funded in one fiscal year but not completed until the following year, the NSF can roll over funds from one fiscal year to another. This ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget.
The start of a new NSF fiscal year is often marked by an announcement of new awards and initiatives from the agency. These announcements can include major funding opportunities for research projects, fellowship programs for students, or other educational initiatives. Keeping up with these announcements can be a great way for researchers to stay up-to-date with the latest developments at the NSF.
What is NSF salary cap
NSF salary cap is a term that refers to the maximum amount of money that an individual may receive from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This cap is set by the United States Congress and is determined by a formula that takes into account the total amount of research funds available for awarding and the level of competition for those funds. The NSF salary cap is set at a fixed rate each year and any additional money received must be allocated towards other expenses related to the project.
The purpose of this cap is to ensure that researchers do not receive more funding than they need, or use it to supplement their own salaries or those of their staff. As such, any funds received above this limit must be used to support legitimate research activities. This includes purchasing research materials, paying lab fees, hiring student assistants, and covering expenses related to travel or conferences.
The actual amount of the NSF salary cap varies from year to year and can be found on the NSF website. For example, in 2020 the cap was set at $150,000 per year for individuals. This amount includes all salary and benefits received from the NSF, including health insurance coverage and retirement contributions. This amount does not include travel allowances or any other funds that are unrelated to research activities.
Overall, the NSF salary cap helps to ensure that funding for research projects is used for its intended purpose rather than personal gain. It also provides a means for researchers to budget their salaries accordingly and secure a reasonable level of funding over time.
Who funds the NSF
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a federal agency that supports research and education in all fields of science and engineering. The NSF has been providing funds to scientists, engineers, and educators since 1950. In fiscal year 2020, the NSF provided more than $8 billion in research funding.
The majority of NSF funding comes from Congress. Each year, Congress decides how much money to allocate to the NSF. This decision is based on recommendations from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which coordinates the overall budget for the U.S. government.
In addition to funding from Congress, the NSF also receives funding from private sources such as foundations, corporations, and individuals. Private contributions are used to support specific projects or research initiatives that are deemed to be of national importance. For example, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has funded numerous NSF-funded projects in areas such as computer science and public health.
Finally, the NSF also receives indirect support from other federal agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), which provides funds for scientific research related to energy production and conservation. The DOE also provides funds for research related to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Overall, the NSF is funded by a combination of congressional appropriations, private contributions, and indirect support from other federal agencies. This funding helps advance scientific research and education across a variety of fields and helps promote innovation in many areas of national importance.
What are NSF person months
NSF person months (also known as “person-months”) are a unit of measure used by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to quantify the amount of effort and time spent on a research project. Person months are expressed in terms of the amount of time a single person would need to devote to the project in order to complete it, typically stated as a number of calendar months.
The NSF uses person-months as a tool to evaluate the relative levels of effort and contribution among participating personnel. This allows them to better assess the relative value of an individual’s participation in a project, and allows them to make better decisions about awarding grants. The NSF also uses person-month measurements to help ensure that projects are adequately staffed and that they remain within budget.
When applying for an NSF grant, it is important to accurately estimate the number of person-months that each principal investigator will be devoting to the project. The PI should take into account all of their activities related to the project, including reading, writing, coding, debugging, testing, and attending meetings or conferences. It is also important to consider any other duties or responsibilities that may be assigned in addition to the project itself.
In general, person-months should be calculated on an annual basis. For example, if a researcher is expected to spend 10 hours per week on the project for six months, then their total number of person-months should be calculated by multiplying 10 hours x 6 months = 60 hours (or 5 person-months).
It is important to note that when calculating your total person-months for an NSF proposal, you should also include any additional personnel who will play a significant role in your research activities. This can include undergraduate students or other research assistants who will be working on the project for at least one month over the course of the year.
Ultimately, NSF person months provide both researchers and granting agencies with a standard metric for quantifying effort and contribution levels across different projects. By accurately measuring and reporting your team’s efforts over time, you can ensure that your project remains within budget and has adequate staffing levels for successful execution.