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NSF History Wall mural

History

NSF’s first headquarters building

When was NSF established?

The U.S. National Science Foundation was established as a federal agency in 1950 when President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 81-507, the "National Science Foundation Act of 1950."  

Since then, NSF has supported basic research — research driven by curiosity and discovery — at colleges, universities and other organizations across the country for over seven decades.  

While NSF has grown and evolved since 1950, its mission has remained the same: "To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense; and for other purposes." 

Why was NSF formed?

The seeds for NSF were planted years before it was established, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the crucial role that the scientific enterprise was playing in the Allied success in World War II. 

Before World War II, the federal government played a minor role in supporting research at U.S. colleges and universities. Instead, research institutions relied on philanthropic endowments or funding from private companies, often with vested interests. "Curiosity-driven" science, a cornerstone of discovery and innovation, was stymied in the process.  

In November 1944, thinking ahead to the end of the war, Roosevelt wrote to director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development Vannevar Bush, asking how the successful application of scientific knowledge to wartime problems could be carried over into peacetime — and requesting recommendations on a national policy for science. 

In 1945, Bush presented his report, "Science: The Endless Frontier," to President Harry S. Truman. The report envisioned a new agency whose mission would promote the progress of science by supporting basic research at colleges and universities.  

In 1950, following a series of bill revisions, Congress passed and President Truman signed Public Law 81-507, establishing the National Science Foundation and the National Science Board. NSF's place in history was cemented. 

Third NSF headquarters The Old Cosmos Club H St and Madison Place, NW Washington, DC 1953-1958  In 1953, the Foundation settled in the old Cosmos Club at H Street and Madison Place, N.W., with auxiliary offices in the historic Winder Building across 17th Street from the Executive Office Building.
NSF's headquarters

How has NSF changed?

NSF has grown and adapted to meet societal needs in the decades since it was formed. To advance the performance of research, new directorates and programs have been created and new awards developed.  

Some notable changes across the agency over the last 70 years include an expanded portfolio, charged with diversifying STEM and broadening participation. In 1952, for example, NSF funded fellowships for graduate students. Today, the Directorate for STEM Education has grown to support students and teachers at all grade levels, strengthening STEM learning through initiatives that promote access and inclusivity.  

New directorates have also been established at NSF: Engineering in 1981; Computer and Information Science and Engineering in 1985/86; and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences in 1991. And in 2022, NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships — its first new directorate in 30 years — was formed to bridge curiosity-driven and use-inspired research and grow industry, create new jobs, and cultivate an equitable STEM workforce across the nation.  

In the years to come, NSF will continue to grow and evolve to meet the challenges of the day. Yet, NSF's mission — "to promote the progress of science" — remains steadfast.

NSF's history and impacts: a brief timeline

NSF's directors

1st Director of the National Science Foundation Alan Tower Waterman

 

Alan T. Waterman

April 1951 – June 1963

Leland J. Haworth becomes the second director of NSF (1963-1969).

 

Leland J. Haworth

July 1963 – June 1969

William David McElroy becomes the third director of NSF (1969-1972).

 

William D. McElroy

July 1969 – January 1972

H. Guyford Stever assumes the directorship of NSF (1972-1976).

 

H. Guyford Stever

February 1972 – August 1976

Richard C. Atkinson is confirmed by the Senate to be NSF director (1977-1980).

 

Richard C. Atkinson

May 1977 – June 1980

John B. Slaughter is confirmed by the Senate as director of NSF (1980-1982).

 

John B. Slaughter

December 1980 – October 1982

Edward A. Knapp becomes director of NSF (1982-1984).

 

Edward A. Knapp

November 1982 – August 1984

Erich Bloch is confirmed by the Senate as director of NSF (1984-1990).

 

Erich Bloch

September 1984 – August 1990

Walter E. Massey becomes director of NSF (1991-1993).

 

Walter E. Massey

March 1991 – April 1993

Neal F. Lane is confirmed as director of NSF (1993-1998).

 

Neal F. Lane

October 1993 – August 1998

Rita R. Colwell is confirmed as director of NSF (1998-2004).

 

Rita R. Colwell

August 1998 – February 2004

Arden L. Bement, Jr. headshot

 

Arden L. Bement, Jr. 

November 2004 – May 2010 

 

Subra Suresh

October 2010 – March 2013 

Dr. France A. Córdova Headshot

 

France A. Córdova 

March 2014 – March 2020 

NSF's director, wearing glasses and a red tie, smiling.

 

Sethuraman Panchanathan

June 2020 – Present

Additional resources

State of the Union Address Excerpt 1 -- January 4, 1950
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May 10, 1950--Congress passed, and President Truman signed, Public Law 81-507, creating NSF.
Credit: National Science Foundation
State of the Union Address Excerpt 2 -- January 4, 1950
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May 10, 1950--Congress passed, and President Truman signed, Public Law 81-507, creating NSF.
Credit: National Science Foundation
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