National Science Foundation

THE NATIONAL SCIENCE Foundation (NSF) is a U.S. government agency that supports research and education in science and engineering. The agency was created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.” With an annual budget of about $5.91 billion, the NSF funds approximately 20 percent of all federally-supported research conducted by U S. colleges and universities. In some fields, such as mathematics, computer science, economics, and other social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal funding. NSF has funded several important studies in the area of global warming.

The President of the United States appoints the NSFs director, its deputy director, and the 24 members of the National Science Board ...