National Science Foundation (NSF)

As part of the larger Federal research and development effort, the NSF has a comprehensive and overarching mandate to help keep all the fields and disciplines of science and engineering research healthy and strong. NSF accomplishes this through programs that support basic research proposed by individual investigators or collaborative groups of investigators. In addition to funding research through core disciplinary programs, the NSF also provides support for facilities, equipment, instrumentation, centers of research, and activities such as workshops that help to advance fields of science. Most of the proposals funded by the NSF also support the development of the science and engineering workforce through training of undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral scientists.

National Science Foundation Funding

The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering.  The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.

Program Areas 
Biological Sciences
Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Crosscutting and NSF-wide
Education and Human Resources
Engineering
Environmental Research & Education
Geosciences
Integrative Activities 
International Science & Engineering 
Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences

The following programs provide either direct (i.e., from NSF) or indirect (i.e., from an awardee institution) funding for students at this level or identify programs that focus on educational developments for this group such as curricula development, training or retention.

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations.

Please click here for the Center for Teaching and Learning's training materials for prospective CAREER applicants.