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NSB
National Science Board
Governing Board of the National Science Foundation & Policy Advisors to the U.S. President and Congress
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NSB-APPROVED FACILITIES
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The National Science Board approved funding for the Advanced LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, a facility dedicated to the detection of cosmic gravitational waves and the measurement of these waves for scientific research.
Credit: LIGO Laboratory
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Part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative approved by NSB, this diagram shows the conceptual placement of coastal Endurance and Pioneer buoy and cable array assets for a coastal observatory.
Credit: Figure generated by H. Sosik et al., WHOI, 2003; graphic design by J. Doucette, WHOI.
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Approved by NSB in 2001, HIAPER is the High-Performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research, an advanced airborne research platform built and modified to serve the NSF's environmental research needs for the next several decades.
Credit: Courtesy of Mike Greer, Savannah Air Center
About the NSB

The National Science Board

BACKGROUND

NSB Group Photo
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The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, which created NSF, states that "The Foundation shall consist of a National Science Board ... and a Director." Jointly the Board and the Director pursue the goals and functions of NSF, including the duty to "recommend and encourage the pursuit of national policies for the promotion of research and education in science and engineering."

In addition, The National Science Board has two important roles. It provides oversight for, and establishes the policies of, NSF within the framework of applicable national policies set forth by the President and the Congress. In this capacity, the Board identifies issues that are critical to NSF’s future, approves NSF’s strategic budget directions, approves annual budget submissions to the Office of Management and Budget, approves new programs and major awards, analyzes NSF’s budget to ensure progress and consistency along the strategic direction set for NSF, and ensures balance between initiatives and core programs. The second role of the Board is to serve as an independent body of advisors to both the President and Congress on broad national policy issues related to science and engineering research and education.

COMPOSITION
The NSB is made up of 24 Members appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The NSF director is an ex officio Member. Members serve six-year terms; one-third of the board is appointed every two years. NSB Members are drawn from industry and universities, and represent a variety of science and engineering disciplines and geographic areas. They are selected for their preeminence in research, education or public service.

ACTIONS
The NSB meets about six times a year (usually five at the NSF headquarters in Arlington, Va., and one in another part of the country). It reviews and approves major NSF awards and new programs. It also initiates and conducts studies and reports on a broad range of policy topics -- on its own initiative or as the president or Congress requests -- including the biennial Science and Engineering Indicators. The NSB also publishes occasional policy papers or statements on issues of importance to U.S. science and engineering.

HONORS
The NSB sponsors two national honorary awards:

  • Vannevar Bush Award - established by NSB in 1980,awarded to senior scientists for public service in science and technology;
  • NSB Public Service Award - established by NSB in 1996, presented to one or more individuals, or to a company, corporation or organization, in recognition of their contributions to increasing public understanding of science or engineering.

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD
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