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Performance Assessment
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The National Science Foundation has a long-standing practice of conducting a wide range of assessment activities. NSF's leadership in
advancing the frontiers of science and engineering research and education is demonstrated, in part, through internal and external
performance assessments. The results of our performance assessment process provide our stakeholders and the American taxpayer with
vital information about the return on our investments.
Through its performance assessment process, NSF reports on the results of its strategic investments intended to achieve long-term
outcomes and on specific measures of organizational effectiveness relate to the internal practices, operations, and processes that
support the NSF mission. Historically, NSF has relied upon external committees of experts to evaluate the long-term outcomes from
research and education. This is appropriate given the broad scope of science and engineering covered by NSF, and the critical and
extensive use of merit review for selecting new awards.
Performance assessment at NSF is guided by the Foundation's Strategic Plan for FY 2006-2011; the Government Performance and Results Act
of 1993 (GPRA); and the Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART), designed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The strategic
plan outlines the Foundation's long-term strategic outcome goals of Discovery, Learning, Research Infrastructure,
and Stewardship. Under those goals are several investment priorities that the Foundation has identified for increased or renewed
emphasis as it continues to support excellence in fundamental research and education.
The goal of this Performance Assessment website is to help you better understand the NSF process of evaluating the outcomes of its long-term
and annual goals and to identify resources for additional information. Sections of the website include:
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