The Nomination Process
Nominations for appointment are open.
The National Science Board
The Board is responsible for assembling and transmitting to the White House recommendations for
appointment of new NSB Members from the various scientific, engineering, and educational organizations
and societies. In its review of candidates, the Board applies the statutory eligibility requirements
and also looks at demographics, balance among professional fields, active researchers, teachers and
administrators, and industrial representation.
Statutory Eligibility Requirements for Board Members
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, stipulates that the Board should be
composed of broadly experienced individuals of distinguished achievement and representative of a broad
range of disciplinary interests. It also draws attention to the need for equitable representation of
individuals from underrepresented groups, and provides explicit criteria and eligibility requirements
for membership on the Board, as described in Sections 4(c) and (d), quoted here:
(c) The persons nominated for appointment as members on the Board (1) shall be eminent in the
fields of the basic, medical, or social sciences, engineering, agriculture, education, research
management or public affairs; (2) shall be selected solely on the basis of established records of
distinguished service; and (3) shall be so selected as to provide representation of the views of
scientific and engineering leaders in all areas of the Nation. In making nominations under this
section, the President shall give due regard to equitable representation of scientists and engineers
who are women or who represent minority groups. The President is requested, in the making of
nominations of persons for appointment as members, to give due consideration to any recommendations for
nomination which may be submitted to him by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of
Engineering, the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, the Association of
American Universities, the Association of American Colleges, the Association of State Colleges and
Universities, or by other scientific, engineering, or educational organizations.
(d) The term of office of each member of the Board shall be six years; except that any member
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was
appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. Any person, other than the Director, who
has been a member of the Board for twelve consecutive years shall thereafter be ineligible for appointment
during the two-year period following the expiration of such twelfth year.
Nomination and Appointment Process
The nomination and appointment process takes approximately 18 months. Key steps include the
Board’s review of nominations and recommendations to the White House, evaluation of potential
nominees by the Office of Presidential Personnel, nomination by the President, consideration and
approval of nominees by the U.S. Senate, appointment by the President, and the swearing in at an
open meeting of the Board.
Format for Nominations
A nomination packet must include
- a nominating letter,
- a biosketch of the candidate, and
- the candidate’s curriculum vitae without publications.
The nomination packet may be mailed or faxed to the attention of Ms. Kim Silverman (see For Further
Information below for addresses and numbers).
Privacy Act
The information requested on the application materials is solicited under the authority of
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be used in connection with the
selection of qualified applicants and may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants
and to other government agencies as part of the review process. Biographical and background
information from publicly available sources may also be used for this purpose. See Systems
of Records, NSF-12, "Fellowships and Other Awards," 63 Federal Register 265 (January 5, 1998).
Submission of the information is voluntary; however, failure to provide full and complete
information may reduce the possibility of recommendation for appointment.
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 8
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to:
Suzanne Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Information Dissemination Branch, DAS
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
The National Science Foundation has TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capability, which
enables individuals with hearing impairment to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs,
employment, or general information. To access NSF TDD, dial (703) 292-5090; for FIRS,
1-800-877-8339.
For Further Information
For information on the nominations process, contact:
Ms. Kim Silverman
National Science Board
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1220
Arlington, VA 22230
Email: ksilverm@nsf.gov
Phone: 703-292-7000
Fax: 703-292-9008
TDD: 703-292-5090
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