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National Science Foundation

FYI covers NSF’s major research and facilities programs, with a special focus on the Math and Physical Sciences Directorate. FYI also covers the foundation’s general policy, strategy, and administration, as well as activities of the National Science Board.

New White House Initiative Reflects Growing Government Interest in Small Satellites

27 Oct 2016

Last week, the White House announced a new initiative promoting public-private partnerships for the development and use of small satellites. The announcement comes as interest grows in using small satellites as platforms for scientific research.

Scientific Societies Issue Action Plan in Response to Liquid Helium Supply Crisis

14 Oct 2016

In a new report, the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Society, and the Materials Research Society recommend actions that the U.S. government and scientific societies should take to make researchers less vulnerable to liquid helium price increases, price volatility, and supply interruptions—all of which could be exacerbated by the impending closure of the Federal Helium Reserve. 

House Committee Takes Aim at Burdensome Academic Research Regulations

4 Oct 2016

At a House Science Committee hearing held last week, members expressed bipartisan support for the goal of reducing regulatory burdens experienced by federally funded university researchers. They asked witnesses to explain how actions such as the creation of a new Research Policy Board could help achieve that goal.

Obscure and Odd-Sounding Research Celebrated at the Golden Goose Awards

29 Sep 2016

Federally funded research projects that seemed obscure or sounded odd yet turned out to have a significant positive impact on society were celebrated last week at the fifth annual Golden Goose Award ceremony.

In Wake of NEON Turmoil, NSF Rethinking Its Approach to Large Facility Management

1 Sep 2016

This week, the National Science Foundation issued a progress update on facility management reforms that were spurred by deficiencies revealed through turmoil at the National Ecological Observatory Network.

NSF Seeking Research Community Input on Next Strategic Plan

24 Aug 2016

The National Science Foundation is soliciting feedback on the foundation’s next strategic plan, which will set its vision statement, core values, and strategic goals and objectives from 2018 to 2022.

NSF Reviewing Use of Rotating Scientists, May Seek New Hiring Authorities

19 Aug 2016

At the August National Science Board meeting, the National Science Foundation presented an analysis of its extensive use of rotating scientific personnel and suggested that the foundation might seek new hiring authorities from Congress in order to reduce its reliance on rotators for executive-level positions.

Decadal Survey Midterm Assessment Highlights Dilemmas of Game-Changing Astronomy

17 Aug 2016

The National Academies has released its midterm assessment of the 2010 decadal survey of astronomy and astrophysics. A key theme is that increasingly expensive top-priority projects are responsible for outstanding breakthroughs, but are also putting pressure on high-priority medium-scale projects.

National Science Board and NSF, With Big Ideas in Hand, Intend to “Play Offense”

16 Aug 2016

At the August National Science Board meeting, leadership of the board and the National Science Foundation outlined plans for both organizations to become more proactive in their engagement with stakeholders and presented further details on the “big ideas” for future investment the foundation unveiled at the last board meeting.

House Science Hearing Looks to Future of Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrobiology

15 Jul 2016

Leaders in astronomy, astrophysics, and astrobiology received a warm welcome at a joint subcommittee hearing this week. The witnesses fielded a wide range of questions, including on how new projects are prioritized and funded, how the scientific workforce is being developed and diversified, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

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