About the Office of Legislative & Public Affairs

MISSION

The Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) communicates information about the activities, programs, research results and policies of the National Science Foundation. OLPA employs a wide variety of tools and techniques to engage the general public and selected audiences including Congress, the news media, state and local governments, other Federal agencies, and the research and education communities.

Jeff Nesbit is the director of OLPA.

OLPA has five sections that provide information about the NSF's science and engineering research and education: Congressional Affairs, Media and Public Information, Communications Resources, Issues Development, and Special Projects.

Congressional Affairs Section
The Congressional Affairs section provides information on major NSF-related legislation, a calendar of hearings, hearing testimony and summaries, NSF budget information, program awards by congressional district, and an archive of information from previous Congresses, as well as links to other legislative or public policy web sites. OLPA's congressional staff -- experts in congressional procedure and practice, federal budget issues, and federal science and technology policy -- coordinate all Foundation activities pertaining to members of Congress and their staff. For OLPA's congressional affairs staff see http://www.nsf.gov/staff/sub_div.jsp?org=olpa&orgId=82 .

Media and Public Affairs Section
The Media and Public Affairs Section provides news and story ideas about advances and discoveries at the frontiers of science, mathematics, and engineering. OLPA's media staff seeks expanded and accurate coverage of NSF, and through that coverage, presents NSF's message to the general public and other external audiences such as research scientists and engineers, business and industry, Congress, state and local governments, and all levels of educational systems. For OLPA's media staff see: http://www.nsf.gov/staff/sub_div.jsp?org=olpa&orgId=85 .

Communications Resources Section
The Communications Resources Section manages the communication and dissemination of NSF information via the NSF web site and other publications and electronic information systems to the Foundation's external audiences . These print and electronic materials -- an essential part of the Foundation's open approach to scientific communication -- notify the science and engineering communities and the general public about research and education projects and results of NSF-supported work. For OLPA's communications resources staff, see: http://www.nsf.gov/staff/sub_div.jsp?org=olpa&orgId=86 .

Issues Development Section staff:
The Issues Development Section supports the Foundation's Director and Deputy Director in communicating the mission of the Foundation to a variety of audiences. The Section works to enhance and expand collaboration on science and engineering issues between the Foundation and state governments, business and industry, foundations, and organizations. The goal is to craft clear and concise messages and themes that will broaden recognition of the Foundation and also maintain the agency's high standing with its traditional constituencies. For OLPA's issues development staff see http://www.nsf.gov/staff/sub_div.jsp?org=olpa&orgId=83 .

Special Projects Section Staff:
The Special Projects Section's primary role is to conduct broad public outreach. By conveying NSF messages, Special Projects staff seek to increase awareness throughout the country of the importance of science and technology in daily life and their significance to the progress of the Nation. The Section assumes roles of informal educator and partner in activities to increase the public's science literacy. Section staff also work to attract minority and female audiences to studies and careers in science and engineering, and stimulate the natural curiosity of all. For OLPA's special projects staff see http://www.nsf.gov/staff/sub_div.jsp?org=olpa&orgId=84 .

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions concerning OLPA web pages, please contact olpa-webmaster@nsf.gov.