Fact Sheet
Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships

July 29, 1999

The National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Science and Technology Centers (STC) program in 1987 to fund important basic research and education activities and to encourage technology transfer and innovative approaches to interdisciplinary programs.

The centers offer the basic research community a significant mechanism to take a longer term view of science and explore better and more effective ways to educate students.

STCs are expected to serve as critical national resources, conducting world-class research and educational activities. They bring together a critical mass of facilties and expertise provided by national, regional and local interests covering academia, national labs and industry, as well as international researchers and educators. STCs enable academic research teams to:

• Exploit opportunities in science and engineering where the complexity of the research problems or the resources needed to solve them require the advantages of collaborative relationships that can be best provided by campus-based research centers;
• Involve students, research scientists and engineers in partnerships to enhance the training and employability of professionals with an awareness of potential applications for scientific discoveries;
• Use long-term, stable funding at a level that encourages risk-taking and ensures a solid foundation for attracting quality undergraduate and graduate students (with special emphasis on women and minorities) into science and technology careers;
• Facilitate the transfer of knowledge among academia, industry and national laboratories.

-NSF-

See also press release.

Media Contacts
William C. Noxon, NSF (703) 292-8070 wnoxon@nsf.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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