National Science Board

The National Science Board (NSB) of the United States establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation (NSF) within the framework of applicable national policies set forth by the president and the Congress. The NSB also serves as an independent policy advisory body to the president and Congress on science and engineering research and education issues. The board has a statutory obligation to "...render to the President and to the Congress reports on specific, individual policy matters related to science and engineering and education in science engineering, as Congress or the President determines the need for such reports," (e.g. Science and Engineering Indicators; Report to Congress on Mid-scale Instrumentation at the National Science Foundation). All board members are presidential appointees. NSF's director serves as an ex officio 25th member and is appointed by the president and confirmed by the US Senate. Mission statement The board's mission statement states: "Supporting education and research across all fields of science and technology and America's investment in the future." Background The National Science Board was created through the National Science Foundation Act of 1950: There is established in the executive branch of the Government an independent agency to be known as the National Science Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the "Foundation"). The Foundation shall consist of a National Science Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") and a Director.As an independent federal agency, NSF does not fall within a cabinet department; rather NSF's activities are guided by the National Science Board. The board was established by the Congress to serve as a national science policy body, and to oversee and guide the activities of NSF. It has dual responsibilities to: a) provide independent national science policy advice to the president and the Congress; and b) establish policies for NSF. The board meets five times per year to review and approve major NSF awards and new programs, provide policy direction to NSF, and address significant science- and engineering-related national policy issues. It initiates and conducts studies and reports on a broad range of policy topics, and publishes policy papers or statements on issues of importance to U.S. science and engineering research and education enterprises.