What Is: The NSF (National Science Foundation)
Established in the 1950s, the National Science Foundation acts as the premier United States approved government agency that monitors and streamlines the "non-medical" aspects of science and technology in the country. The organization works in tandem with most of the major schools, universities and observatories across the country. The primary source of funds is from the federal government. According to the latest figures made available to the public, the establishment utilizes approximately US$ 6.87 billion dollars every year to aid the organizations that have been accredited by the NSF.
The President of the United States monitors the occurring that takes place within the confines of the National Science Foundation. The President himself handpicks the board members of the NSF, which usually comprises of scientific experts. The Senate members will also have to approve of the board that looks after the activities of the National Science Foundation. The agency's existing executive director happens to be Dr. Arden L. Bement Jr. The acting deputy director of the National Science Foundation is Dr. Cora Marret!
How does the NSF differ from the other kinds of organizations such as the NASA and the National Institute of Health (NIH)? While most of the previously mentioned establishments have their own dedicated laboratories, the NSF does not boast of one. However, the research work sponsored by the agency occurs at all the times in various observatories and universities throughout the nation. At times, projects are handed over as long and short-term contract ventures and the NSF will ask the contractors to stay in touch with the agency. Occasional reports highlighting the activities and all the research data is handed over to the NSF in a timely fashion. How does the NSF board choose the proposals? It is primarily done via a so-called merit review process - conducted by the esteemed minds located within the NSF.
The NSF actively supports the graduates as well as the undergraduates across the country by funding their projects. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates will take care of financial expenses that the undergraduates might have to sustain. Grants for the graduates can be availed in the form of IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education Research Trainees) as well as via the Alliance for Graduate Education and Professorate! The agency accommodates precisely 1700 employees and these include the full-time and the part-time contract workers.
If you are interested in learning in depth about the activities of the NSF, here they are. The NSF sponsors research into biological sciences, especially those that pertain to environmental and cellular / organismal biology. Some of the most active projects undertaken by the NSF can be classified into Computer and Information Technology sciences. Projects that include all the diverse strains of engineering niche are also taken into account by the same foundation. The National Science Foundation as well funds research activities that pertain to mathematical, geological and physical sciences. Another interesting paradigm that is taken into active consideration is the social, behavioral and economic sciences. Of lately, the NSF concentrates on education and human resources too.