homework
U.S NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WHO ARE WE
A) Mission
To promote the progress of science to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes.
B) What We Do
Promote science by investing in research
Advance national health, prosperity, and wealth by funding research projects
Contribute to national defense through research of new technologies
C) National Science Foundation FY 2022-2026 Core Values
Scientific Leadership
Diversity and Inclusion
Innovation and Collaboration
Integrity and Excellence
Public Service
Expand scientific knowledge and integrate it with industry and education
Foster the advancement and inclusion of minority groups in STEM careers
Promote creative ideas that improve existing processes and technologies
Uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior in research projects
Value the role of public servants
D) National Science Foundation Strategic Goals and Objectives FY 2022 - 2026
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Goals |
Objectives |
Icons |
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EMPOWER |
Empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering |
Ensure accessibility and inclusivity Unleash STEM talent for America |
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DISCOVER |
Create new knowledge about our universe, the world and ourselves |
Advance the frontiers of research Enhance research capability |
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IMPACT |
Benefit society by translating knowledge into solutions |
Deliver benefits from research Enhance research capability |
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EXCEL |
Excel at NSF operation and management |
Deliver benefits from research Invest in people |
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Further details are provided in the NSF’s FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan: Leading the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Talent Development and the Delivery of Benefits from Research
HOW ARE WE DOING
A) FY 2021 Performance Results
In FY 2021, NSF tracked eight performance goals. Overall, NSF fully achieved five goals, partially achieved two goals, and did not achieve one goal.
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FY 2021 PERFORMANCE GOAL |
RESULT |
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1. Agency Priority Goal: Developing an Agency-Wide Partnerships Strategy. |
Achieved |
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2. Ensure that key NSF-wide program investments are implemented and on track. |
Achieved |
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3. Ensure program integrity and responsible stewardship of major research facilities and infrastructure |
Partially Achieved |
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4. Inform applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding in a timely manner |
Not Achieved |
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5. Improve the quality of written reviews of NSF proposals |
Achieved |
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6. Foster a culture of inclusion through change management efforts resulting in change leadership and accountability. |
Achieved |
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7. Ensure that employee job requirements are aligned with competencies and skills needed for the future. |
Achieved |
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8. Streamline and simplify user interactions with IT systems and functions that support the merit review process, reducing non-value-added steps and reducing the time spent managing the proposal and award lifecycle. |
Partially Achieved |
Details in FY 2021 NSF APR: https://www.nsf.gov/about/history/annual-reports.jsp
B) FY 2021 Accomplishments Highlights
11,300 Competitive Awards Funded
43,600 Proposals Evaluated
211,900 Proposals Reviewed
64,000 NSF Students in the Graduate Research Fellowship since 1952
Funded 1,900 Colleges, Universities, and Other Institutions
318,000 Individuals Supported by NSF
New CRISPR technologies enable development of climate and disease resistant crops
Wireless research for universal and affordable rural broadband
New filtering method promises safer drinking water for tens of millions of people
American lobster genome could aid development of new sensors
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
A) Where it Comes From
NSF is funded primarily through congressional appropriations that are provided to six accounts. Also, the FY21 appropriation included an additional $600 million in supplemental funding received under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act.
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FY 21 Appropriation by Account |
Amount (millions) |
Percent |
|
Research and Related Activities |
$ 7,347 |
81% |
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Education and Human Resources |
$ 1,029 |
11% |
|
Agency Operation and Award Management |
$ 387 |
4% |
|
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction |
$ 301 |
3% |
|
Office of Inspector General |
$ 18 |
<1% |
|
National Science Board |
$ 5 |
<1% |
|
Total |
$ 9,087 |
100% |
B) Where it Goes
During FY 2021, NSF evaluated over 43,600 proposals through a competitive merit review process and issued more than 11,300 new competitive awards. Approximately 80% of FY21 Appropriation went to academic institutions. Approximately 13% of appropriation went to private industry including non-profit organizations and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers accounted for approximately 4%. Other recipients (federal, state, and local governments; and international organizations) accounted for almost 4% to support research and education programs.
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Funding Recipients |
Amount (millions) |
Percent |
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Colleges, Universities, and Academic Consortia |
$ 6,594 |
80% |
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Private Industry (includes non-profit) |
$ 1,047 |
13% |
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Other (includes federal, state and local governments) |
$ 322 |
4% |
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Federally Funded Research and Development Centers |
$ 298 |
4% |
|
Total |
$ 8,261 |
100% |
C) How it Gets There
NSF uses multiple contracting vehicles to disburse NSF funding including Grants, Cooperative Agreements and contracts. Grants are issues as a single or multi-year awards based on the project needs. Cooperative agreements are used by NSF when the project requires substantial agency involvement such as research centers and multi-use facilities. NSF utilizes contracts to acquire products, services, and studies required for NSF or other government use.
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FY 21 Contract Vehicles |
Amount (millions) |
Percent |
|
Grants |
$ 5,913 |
72% |
|
Cooperative Agreements |
$ 2,002 |
24% |
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Contracts |
$ 347 |
4% |
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Total |
$ 8,262 |
100% |
D) NSF COVID-19 Activities
NSF received $600 million to “fund or extend new and existing research grants, cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, and apprenticeships, related administrative expenses to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” NSF used supplemental COVID-19 funding to award 756 awards for total obligation in $240.5 million. In addition, NSF used its FY21 appropriations and other available funds to support research related to COVID-19. For further details on NSF’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic go to https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/coronavirus/
A LOOK TO THE FUTURE
A) OIG FY 2022 Eight Management and Performance Challenges
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Challenges |
Key Upcoming Action(s) |
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Increasing Diversity in Science & Engineering Education and Employment |
Continue supporting the Build and Broaden 2.0 program aimed at increasing collaboration between scholars of minority-serving research institutions and others |
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Overseeing the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) |
Implement a monitoring tool that can detect malicious network events to enhance security |
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Overseeing Grants in a Changing Environment |
Develop dashboards (Ex: Enterprise project report) for increased transparency on the status of grants |
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Managing the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Program |
Reduce risk inherent to the IPA program by submitting an IR/D annual report, managing turnover risk, etc. |
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Overseeing Major Multi-User Research Facilities |
Finalize the Major Facilities Oversight Reviews standard operating guidance |
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Mitigating Threats Posed by Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program |
Sustain collaboration efforts on the compendium of anonymized research security with the FBI |
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Mitigating Threats Posed by the Risk of Cyberattacks |
Enhance its information security program by using a zero-trust policy (Ex: Multi-factor authentication) |
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Managing Transformational Change |
Conduct a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Assessment. |
Further details in FY 2022 Management Challenges OIG memorandum: NSF’s FY 2021 AFR)
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