National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation supports nanoscale science and engineering in all disciplines through its research and education activities {{there are some cross Directorate and non-Directorate mechanisms as well}} as a means to promote discovery and innovation and integrate various fields of research.

Budget

FY 2013 Proposed: $434.9 Million

FY 2012 Estimated: $426 Million

FY 2011 Actual: $485.1 Million

Research
Focus

NSF supports upstream research and education in all areas of nanoscale science and engineering, leading to a flexible infrastructure and educational pipeline at the national level. It also advances nanotechnology innovation through a variety of translational research programs and by partnering with industry, states, and other agencies. NNI funding provides a source of increased interdisciplinary activity for about 5,000 active awards that represent more than 10% of the overall NSF research portfolio  About 10,000 students and teachers are educated and trained in nanoscale science and engineering each year. In FY ?, more than 100 small businesses were funded to perform research and product development in nanotechnology through NSF’s SBIR/STTR programs. NSF’s nanotechnology research is supported primarily through grants to individuals, teams, and centers at U.S. academic institutions.

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/nano/

SPOTLIGHT:

In 2009 The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made awards to establish two Centers for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEIN). The centers, led by UCLA and Duke University, will study how nanomaterials interact with the environment and with living systems, and will translate this knowledge into risk assessment and mitigation strategies useful in the development of nanotechnology.

http://www.ceint.duke.edu/
http://cein.cnsi.ucla.edu/pages/

Key
Contacts

Bobbie Mixon, Public Affairs Specialist, 703-292-8070/bmixon@nsf.gov
Cecile Gonzalez, NSF Directorate for Engineering, 703-292-8538/cjgonzal@nsf.gov

Funding
Opportunities

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/nano/